Kahan v. City of Richmond

*727Tobias Kahan purchased property in Richmond, California at a foreclosure sale. Shortly before the sale, the City of Richmond (City) had recorded a "special assessment" lien against the property for unpaid garbage collection fees, pursuant to a municipal ordinance. When Kahan later sold the property, he had to pay the delinquent garbage fees as well as administrative charges and escrow fees to obtain a release of the City's lien.

Kahan filed a class action lawsuit alleging the City's practice of recording liens for unpaid garbage collection fees violates and is preempted by state law. Kahan…