California Code, Government Code - GOV § 6103.6

Section 6103 does not apply to any fee or charge for official services established by a city or county ordinance as a reasonable and nondiscriminatory inspection fee to defray the costs of the inspection by such city or county of work done in, under, on or about any city or county street or highway, whether such work is done pursuant to franchise, statutory authority, or otherwise.  Section 6103 does not apply to a reasonable and nondiscriminatory fee or charge established by a city or county ordinance to defray the costs of insuring such city or county against liability for injury or death to persons and damage to property resulting from such work in streets and highways.  This section does not authorize a fee or charge for the mere issuance of a permit to do such work, nor does this section authorize the assessment against, or collecting of, any fee or charge from the State.