California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 10249.3

(a) The commissioner may by regulation prescribe filing fees in connection with registrations with the department pursuant to the provisions of this article that are lower than the maximum fees specified in subdivision (b) if the commissioner determines that the lower fees are sufficient to offset the costs and expenses incurred in the administration of this article.  The commissioner shall hold at least one hearing each calendar year to determine if lower fees than those specified in subdivision (b) should be prescribed.  At this hearing, the department shall report on the financial status of the department, including the revenues, expenditures, and reserves as of the end of the previous fiscal year.  The department shall post a hearing notice 15 days in advance of the hearing that includes the required information about the financial status of the department.

(b) The filing fee for an application for a registration with the department pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be set at the amount prescribed below and shall not exceed the maximum specified for each subdivision or phase of the subdivision in which interests are to be offered for sale or lease:

(c) All fees collected by the Department of Real Estate under authority of this article shall be deposited into the Real Estate Fund under Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 10450) of Part 1.  All fees received by the department pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be deemed earned upon receipt.  No part of any fee is refundable unless the commissioner determines that it was paid as a result of mistake or inadvertence.