California Code, Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 2286

(a) No local agency formed after the effective date of this chapter shall levy, or have levied on its behalf, any property tax rate, except an additional property tax rate authorized pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 2270) of this chapter, unless a maximum property tax rate has been approved for such agency. If an election is held on the formation of a local agency, the maximum property tax rate for such agency shall be included in describing the local agency on the ballot in the formation question.

(b) In the event that a local agency which was in existence on the effective date of this chapter desires to change its maximum property tax rate, the governing body of such agency shall call a special election, pursuant to the provisions of this article, to approve a new maximum property tax rate for the agency.

(c) No maximum property tax rate described in subdivision (a) or (b) shall be approved except by a majority vote of the qualified voters of that local agency voting on the issue.

(d) Subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of this section shall not apply to an improvement district formed prior to, or after, the effective date of this chapter for the purpose of levying an ad valorem tax as defined in Section 2202 of the Revenue and Taxation Code for the purpose of apportioning the costs of facilities and services made available by a local agency, so long as the total property tax rate within such improvement district does not exceed the maximum rate which could be levied upon the property therein by a local agency without regard to the existence of such improvement district.

(e) Subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) shall not apply to an improvement district formed for the purpose of issuing bonds if the issuance of such bonds has been approved by the electorate of such improvement district.