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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 5Ch. 7§ 57477 City Consolidation Debt Continuity

§ 57477 City Consolidation Debt Continuity

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 57477 City Consolidation Debt Continuity

Key Takeaways

  • •If two cities merge, old debts or lawsuits don’t disappear—they stay the same.
  • •Any ongoing lawsuits or money owed by or to the old cities keep going like nothing changed.
  • •The new merged city takes over all the old rights and responsibilities.

Example

City A and City B merge into City C. Before merging, City A owed money to a local business for road repairs.

Even after merging, City C still has to pay that debt—it doesn’t go away just because the cities combined.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 57477 City Consolidation Debt Continuity

Except as otherwise provided in this division, consolidation does not affect any debts, demands, liabilities, or obligations of any kind existing in favor of or against the cities consolidated at the time of consolidation. Consolidation does not affect any pending action or proceeding involving any such debt, demand, liability, or obligation or any action or proceedings brought by or against any city prior to consolidation. The proceedings shall be continued and concluded by final judgment or otherwise as if consolidation had not been effected. Those rights or liabilities are the rights and liabilities of the successor city. (Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 541, Sec. 3. Effective September 9, 1985. Operative January 1, 1986, by Sec. 5 of Ch. 541.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

consolidationliabilityobligationjudgmentmergereffective septemberoperative january

Related Statutes

  • § 57481 City Consolidation Tax Limits
  • § 57478 Ordinance Repeal After Consolidation
  • § 57482 Successor City Tax Levy
  • § 57476 City Property Transfer Rules
  • § 57480 City Ordinance Consolidation Effect

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 57477.
View Official Source