The validity of an assessment or supplemental assessment against real property for public improvements, the proceedings for which are prescribed by the legislative body of any chartered city, shall not be contested in any action or proceeding unless the action or proceeding is commenced within 30 days after the assessment is levied, or such longer period as the legislative body may provide. Any appeal from a final judgment in such an action or proceeding shall be perfected within 30 days after the entry of judgment.
§ 329.5.Contesting Validity of Assessment Or Supplemental Assessment For Public Improvements
Title 2. Of the Time of Commencing Civil Actions · Chapter 2. The Time of Commencing Actions for the Recovery of Real Property · Enacted 1959 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 329.5 requires anyone challenging the validity of a chartered city’s public-improvement assessment to sue within 30 days after the assessment is levied, and to perfect any appeal within 30 days after judgment.
Full Text of § 329.5
Plain-English Summary
When a chartered city assesses property owners for a public improvement — paving a street, for example — Section 329.5 puts a short, hard deadline on challenging whether that assessment was valid. The action or proceeding has to be filed within 30 days after the assessment (or supplemental assessment) is levied, unless the city’s own legislative body has set a longer period.
The short fuse continues past trial: if a party wants to appeal a final judgment in one of these assessment challenges, the appeal has to be perfected within 30 days after entry of judgment. Both deadlines are considerably shorter than the ordinary appeal periods used elsewhere in civil litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to challenge a city public-improvement assessment?
Thirty days after the assessment is levied, unless the city’s legislative body has set a longer period by ordinance or resolution.
Does the 30-day deadline apply to appeals too?
Yes. Section 329.5 also requires any appeal from a final judgment in the case to be perfected within 30 days after entry of judgment.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1007.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
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