(a)  An entity shall notify the assessee shown on the latest equalized assessment roll whenever delinquent and unpaid charges for services which would become a lien on the property pursuant to subdivision (b) remain delinquent and unpaid for 60 days.

(b) The amount of the unpaid charges may, in the discretion of the entity, be secured at any time by filing for record in the office of the county recorder of any county, a certificate specifying the amount of the unpaid charges and the name and address of the person liable for those unpaid charges. From the time of recordation of the certificate, the amount required to be paid together with interest and penalty constitutes a lien upon all real property in the county owned by the person or afterwards, and before the lien expires, acquired by him or her. The lien shall have the force, priority, and effect of a judgment lien and shall continue for 10 years from the date of the filing of the certificate unless sooner released or otherwise discharged. The lien may, within 10 years from the filing of the certificate or within 10 years from the date of the last extension of the lien in the manner herein provided, be extended by filing for record a new certificate in the office of the county recorder of any county and from the time of this filing the lien shall be extended to the real property in this county for 10 years unless sooner released or otherwise discharged.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 330, Sec. 18. (SB 1090) Effective January 1, 2013.)