California Code, Elections Code - ELEC § 9603

(a) Each city, county, school district, community college district, county board of education, and special district may hold, at its discretion, an advisory election on any date on which that jurisdiction is currently permitted to hold a regular or special election for the purpose of allowing voters within the jurisdiction, or a portion thereof, to voice their opinions on substantive issues, or to indicate to the local legislative body approval or disapproval of the ballot proposal.

(b) An advisory vote will be indicated as a ballot heading, above the ballot proposal, and by only the following description: “Advisory Vote Only.”

(c) As used in this section, “advisory vote” means an indication of general voter opinion regarding the ballot proposal. The results of the advisory vote will in no manner be controlling on the sponsoring legislative body.

(d) An advisory election may be held in territory outside of the jurisdiction of the local entity calling the advisory election if the ballot proposal affects the residents of the territory. The sponsoring legislative body shall determine the territory in which the advisory election shall be held. However, the conduct of an advisory election in territory outside of the jurisdiction of the local entity shall only be held if all of the following conditions are met:

(e) An advisory election shall not be consolidated with an election if the ballot's capacity will be exceeded because of the addition of the advisory election.