California Code, Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 3205

(a) The county tax collector may, within 30 days after the delinquency date, give written notice to the owners of all property tax delinquent vessels that, in addition to standard county delinquent property tax procedures, the renewal of the certificate of number of, and the transfer of any title to or interest in, that vessel will be withheld by the Department of Motor Vehicles as provided in Section 9880 of the Vehicle Code, until the delinquent taxes have been paid on that vessel.

(b) If the county tax collector has given notice pursuant to subdivision (a), he or she shall give written notice of the delinquency, by electronic transmission or otherwise, to the Department of Motor Vehicles for its recordation pursuant to Section 9880 of the Vehicle Code.  Upon receiving a possessory lien sale application filed with respect to a vessel pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 503 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall, in accordance with paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of that section, notify the applicant of any outstanding property tax lien on that vessel of which the department has been notified pursuant to this subdivision.

(c) If the county tax collector has given notice pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b), the county tax collector shall also provide written notice to the Department of Motor Vehicles when the delinquency has been satisfied.