Opinion ID: 1172485
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Propriety of Mandate

Text: (1) The annexation ordinance was adopted by Camarillo on July 26, 1972. Plaintiffs' petition was filed on August 24, 1972, and an alternative writ of mandate was issued that day. The ordinance was filed by the Secretary of State on August 28 or 29, 1972. Defendants contend that mandate is not the proper remedy, because the annexation was complete. [Q]uo warranto is the proper remedy to attack a completed annexation proceeding, mandamus lies to terminate an incomplete proceeding. (5 Witkin, Cal. Procedure (2d ed. 1971) § 1971) § 20, p. 3794.) [6] Defendants' contention is without merit. Annexation proceedings are not complete before the filing by the Secretary of State of a certified copy of the ordinance approving annexation after the lapse of a 30-day period subsequent to the adoption by the city council of an ordinance to that effect. (Gov. Code, § 36937.) (See: Gov. Code, §§ 35316, 35317, and 35318.) ( Guerrieri v. City of Fontana, 232 Cal. App.2d 417, 419 [42 Cal. Rptr. 781].) Whether for other purposes an annexation may be complete at an earlier date is beside the point. Mandamus will lie to challenge an annexation before it is final within the definition of the Government Code. ( Norlund v. Thorpe, 34 Cal. App.3d 672, 676 [110 Cal. Rptr. 246]; see Hazelton v. City of San Diego, 183 Cal. App.2d 131, 135 [6 Cal. Rptr. 723].)