Household Movers ActFines and Penalties

Section § 19277

Explanation

If you're involved in the household moving business and you break the rules, don't follow the regulations, or help someone else break the rules, you could face some serious penalties. This includes fines up to $2,500 and possibly jail time for up to three months. If you do it on purpose, the penalty could be much steeper, with fines up to $10,000 and up to a year in jail. If you operate as a mover without the right permit, you face fines starting at $1,000. Violating another specific section related to movers also carries similar penalties.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 19277(a) Every household mover and every officer, director, agent, or employee of any household mover who violates or who fails to comply with, or who procures, aids, or abets any violation by any household mover of any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation administered by the bureau pursuant to this chapter, or of any operating permit issued to any household mover, or who procures, aids, or abets any household mover in its failure to obey, observe, or comply with any such rule, regulation, or operating permit, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than three months, or both. If a violation is willful, each willful violation is punishable by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both. If the violation involves operating or holding oneself out as a household mover without a permit, the fine shall be not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 19277(b) Any person who violates subdivision (a) of Section 19237, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both, for each violation.
household mover violations misdemeanor penalties noncompliance fines

Section § 19277.1

Explanation

This law says that if a moving company or its employees use the wrong logo on their vehicles, or don't remove logos as required, they can face criminal charges. This could mean a fine up to $1,000, up to a year in jail, or both penalties.

Every household mover, and every officer, director, agent, or employee of a household mover, who displays on any vehicle any identifying symbol other than the symbol prescribed by the bureau pursuant to Section 19236 or who fails to remove an identifying symbol when required by the bureau, is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.
household mover vehicle identifying symbol bureau prescribed symbol

Section § 19278

Explanation

This law says that if anyone, other than a household mover, knowingly breaks the rules laid out in this section or helps a household mover in breaking the rules, they can be charged with a misdemeanor. This could lead to a fine of up to $1,000, up to three months in jail, or both. This applies to individuals and those acting on behalf of a business, like officers or employees.

Every corporation or person other than a household mover, who knowingly and willfully, either individually, or acting as an officer, agent, or employee of a corporation, copartnership, or any other person other than a household mover, violates any provision of this chapter or fails to observe, obey, or comply with any rule, regulation, or requirement administered by the bureau pursuant to this chapter, or who procures, aids, or abets any household mover in its violation of this chapter, or in its failure to obey, observe, or comply with any such rule, regulation, or requirement, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than three months, or both.
household mover misdemeanor fine

Section § 19279

Explanation

If a moving company or its employees break any rules set by the overseeing bureau, they can be fined up to $500 for each violation. The bureau can also choose to deny, suspend, revoke, or put the company's operating permit on probation instead of issuing a fine.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every household mover and every officer, director, agent, or employee of any household mover who violates or who fails to comply with, or who procures, aids, or abets, any violation by any household mover of any provision of this chapter, or who fails to obey, observe, or comply with any rule, regulation, or requirement administered by the bureau pursuant to this chapter, or with any operating permit issued to any household mover, or who procures, aids, or abets any household mover in its failure to obey, observe, or comply with any such rule, regulation, requirement, or operating permit, is subject to a citation and fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each offense. This section does not prohibit the bureau from seeking to deny, suspend, revoke, or place on probation an operating permit, in lieu of issuing a citation and fine.
household mover operating permit citation

Section § 19279.1

Explanation

This law says that if someone is operating as a household mover without the necessary permit, or pretending to be one without a permit, they can be fined up to $5,000 for each instance. Additionally, they may have to pay for the costs of the investigation.

Whenever the bureau finds that any person or corporation is operating as a household mover without a valid permit, or is holding itself out as such a household mover without a valid permit in contravention of Section 19279.3, the bureau may issue a citation and fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation. The bureau may assess the person or corporation an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable expense of investigation incurred by the bureau.
household mover operating without permit citation and fine

Section § 19279.2

Explanation

This law states that if anyone other than a household moving company breaks the rules in this chapter or helps a moving company break them, they could be fined up to $500 for each time they do it. This applies whether they're acting on their own or through a company or partnership.

Every corporation or person other than a household mover who knowingly and willfully, either individually, or acting as an officer, agent, or employee of a corporation, copartnership, or any other person other than a household mover, violates any provision of this chapter or fails to observe, obey, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement administered by the bureau pursuant to this chapter, or who procures, aids, or abets any household mover in its violation of this chapter, or in its failure to obey, observe, or comply with any such order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement, is subject to a citation and fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each offense.
household mover violation citation

Section § 19279.3

Explanation

If a company or person advertises that they are a household mover without having the proper permit, they are committing a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $2,500.

Every corporation or person who knowingly and willfully issues, publishes, or affixes, or causes or permits the issuance, publishing, or affixing, of any oral or written advertisement, broadcast, or other holding out to the public, or any portion thereof, that the corporation or person is in operation as a household mover without having a valid permit issued under this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
household mover unlicensed moving services permit requirement

Section § 19280

Explanation

If a moving company lies about having a permit, being part of an association, or its location, it can be fined up to $2,500 for each day it breaks this rule.

Every household mover that falsifies permit status, membership in an association, or location is subject to a citation and fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day that the household mover is in violation of this section.
household mover false permit status association membership

Section § 19281

Explanation

This law states that if a household mover, corporation, or person breaks the rules or requirements set by the bureau under this chapter, each violation is counted separately. If they keep breaking the rules every day, each day counts as a new offense.

Every violation of the provisions of this chapter or of any order, decision, decree, rule, regulation, direction, demand, or requirement administered by the bureau pursuant to this chapter by any household mover, any corporation, or any person is a separate and distinct offense, and in case of a continuing violation, each day’s continuance thereof is a separate and distinct offense.
household mover violation separate offense

Section § 19282

Explanation
This law explains that if someone is found to be in violation, they can face multiple penalties and remedies. You can pursue more than one penalty or remedy at the same time, and trying to get one doesn't stop you from seeking others. Plus, it doesn't prevent further legal actions, including criminal charges, against any involved parties, like companies or their employees.
All remedies and penalties accruing under this chapter are cumulative to each other and to the remedies and penalties available under any other law, and a suit for the recovery of one remedy or penalty does not bar or affect the recovery of any other remedy, penalty, or forfeiture or bar any criminal prosecution against any person or corporation, or any officer, director, agent, or employee thereof, or any other corporation or person.
cumulative remedies multiple penalties legal recovery

Section § 19283

Explanation

If you don't pay fines to the bureau on time for breaking rules under this section, they might deny you a permit renewal, or they could suspend, revoke, or put your permit on probation.

Fines not paid to the bureau within the specified time period for a violation of this chapter or any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, demand, tariff, or requirement administered by the bureau pursuant to this chapter shall be cause to deny the renewal of a permit or to suspend, revoke, or place it on probation.
fines permit renewal payment deadline

Section § 19283.1

Explanation

This law outlines the responsibilities of a bureau and peace officers in enforcing certain regulations about transporting household goods. Peace officers can help enforce specific sections and issue citations instead of arrests for misdemeanors. The bureau must work with peace officers and ensure they are informed about the law. Special investigators can also issue court appearance notices, although they aren't peace officers. The Attorney General or local attorneys can prosecute violations related to transporting goods.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(a) The bureau shall ensure that this chapter is enforced and obeyed, and that violations thereof are promptly prosecuted and that moneys due to the state are recovered and collected.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(b) For purposes of this section, “peace officer” means a person designated as a peace officer pursuant to Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(c) A peace officer may enforce and assist in the enforcement of Sections 19277 and 19278, resulting from a violation of Section 19236, 19237, 19244, or 19276, or more than one of those sections. A peace officer may additionally enforce and assist in the enforcement of Sections 19277.1 and 19279.3. In any case in which an arrest authorized by this subdivision is made for an offense declared to be a misdemeanor, and the person arrested does not demand to be taken before a magistrate, the arresting peace officer may, instead of taking the person before a magistrate, follow the procedure prescribed by Chapter 5C (commencing with Section 853.5) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code. The provisions of that chapter shall thereafter apply with reference to any proceeding based upon the issuance of a citation pursuant to this authority.
(d)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(d) The bureau shall coordinate enforcement of this section with those peace officers likely to be involved in enforcing this section, including undertaking both of the following:
(1)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(d)(1) Educational outreach to promote awareness among those peace officers about the requirements of Sections 19236, 19237, 19244, 19276, 19277, 19277.1, 19278, and 19279.3.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(d)(2) Establishing lines of communication so that the bureau is notified if an action is commenced to enforce the requirements of those sections specified in subdivision (c), so that the bureau may take appropriate action to enforce the citation and fine provisions of this article.
(e)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(e) The Attorney General, a district attorney of the proper county or city and county, or a city attorney may institute and prosecute actions or proceedings for the violation of any law committed in connection with, or arising from, a transaction involving the transportation of household goods and personal effects.
(f)CA Business & Professions Code § 19283.1(f) Notwithstanding any other law, a person employed as a special investigator or supervising special investigator by the bureau and designated by the director shall have the authority to issue a written notice to appear in court pursuant to Chapter 5C (commencing with Section 853.5) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code for a violation of a provision for which a peace officer may enforce or assist in the enforcement pursuant to subdivision (c). An employee so designated is not a peace officer, is not entitled to safety member retirement benefits as a result of the designation, and does not have the power of arrest.
bureau responsibilities peace officer authority law enforcement coordination

Section § 19283.2

Explanation

Any fines or expenses collected by the bureau under this chapter must be deposited into a specific fund.

All fines recovered by the bureau pursuant to this chapter, together with the costs thereof, shall be paid into the fund.
fines bureau chapter

Section § 19284

Explanation

This law explains what happens when a household mover receives a notice to appear for a vehicle-related offense. If the notice is mailed and a copy is filed with the court, it acts as a complaint that they can plead guilty to. However, if the person doesn't show up, doesn't pay bail, or pleads not guilty, a formal complaint must be filed according to the Penal Code. The defendant can agree in writing to skip the formal complaint and just use the notice to appear in court.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 19284(a) Whenever a written notice to appear has been mailed to the owner of a household mover motor vehicle, an exact and legible duplicate copy of the notice, when filed with the magistrate in lieu of a verified complaint, is a complaint to which the defendant may plead guilty.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 19284(b) If, however, the defendant fails to appear, does not deposit bail, or pleads other than guilty to the offense charged, a complaint shall be filed that conforms to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 948) of Title 5 of Part 2 of the Penal Code and which shall be deemed to be an original complaint, and thereafter the proceeding shall be held as provided by law, except that the defendant may, by an agreement in writing, subscribed by the defendant and filed with the court, waive the filing of a verified complaint and elect that the prosecution may proceed upon a written notice to appear.
household mover notice to appear vehicle offense