Unless otherwise expressly stated:
§ 1235.040.Definitions
Title 7. Eminent Domain Law · Chapter 2. Principles of Construction; Definitions · Article 1. Construction · Enacted 1975 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1235.040 defines five structural terms used throughout the Eminent Domain Law -- chapter, article, section, subdivision, and paragraph -- each keyed to the larger unit of text in which it appears, unless a provision expressly says otherwise.
Full Text of § 1235.040
(a) "Chapter" means a chapter of this title.
(b) "Article" means an article of the chapter in which that term occurs.
(c) "Section" means a section of this code.
(d) "Subdivision" means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs.
(e) "Paragraph" means a paragraph of the subdivision in which that term occurs.
Plain-English Summary
Cross-references inside a long title only work if everyone agrees what "chapter," "article," "section," "subdivision," and "paragraph" mean. Section 1235.040 pins those terms down: "chapter" means a chapter of this title, "article" means an article of whichever chapter it appears in, and "section" means a section of the Code of Civil Procedure as a whole -- not just this title.
"Subdivision" and "paragraph" work the same relative way. A "subdivision" is a subdivision of whatever section the term appears in, and a "paragraph" is a paragraph of whatever subdivision the term appears in. Each definition is self-referential to its immediate container, which is why the same word can mean a different physical block of text depending on where in the title it's used -- and why the opening phrase "unless otherwise expressly stated" leaves room for a section to define its own terms differently when it needs to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "section" mean when used in the Eminent Domain Law?
A section of the Code of Civil Procedure -- not limited to sections within Title 7 itself.
How is "subdivision" defined?
A subdivision of the particular section in which the term "subdivision" occurs.
Can a specific provision use these terms differently than § 1235.040 defines them?
Yes, when that provision expressly states a different meaning.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 1275.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: definitions of chapter article section subdivision paragraph california statute