Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 6451
The governing or legislative body of any city or city and county having on July 27, 1917, a freeholders' charter adopted under Section 8 of Article XI of the State Constitution, which charter provides for the resettlement of and the granting of a resettlement franchise to any person, firm, or corporation engaged in operating a public utility in such city or city and county, is empowered to provide for a general resettlement of the franchise rights and to grant a resettlement franchise to any person, firm, or corporation actually engaged in operating a street, suburban, or interurban railroad in the city or city and county, upon written application therefor, and upon such terms and conditions as are in this chapter provided, and may, in the resettlement of any such franchise impose other and additional terms and conditions not in conflict with this chapter.
Ca. Pub. Util. Code § 6451