Local Administration - Administration - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 12200

Each county has a county sealer of weights and measures, appointed by the board of supervisors unless otherwise specified by county charter. This position lasts for four years, but the person can be removed earlier under certain conditions. In addition to their salary, sealers get reimbursed for work-related travel and expenses. With permission, the sealer can appoint deputies or inspectors to help with duties, and these individuals can be referred to as weights and measures inspectors. Clerks and other employees can also be hired for assistance, but they can't enforce any laws.

There is in each county the office of county sealer of weights and measures. The county sealer shall be appointed by the board of supervisors, except in chartered counties where a different method of appointment is prescribed. The term of office of such sealer is four years from and after his appointment and until his successor is appointed but he may be removed as hereinafter provided.

In addition to his salary each sealer is entitled to his necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of his duties.

A county sealer may, with the consent of the power appointing him, appoint deputies or inspectors when necessary or expedient to carry out the duties of his office. Such deputies or inspectors shall serve at the pleasure of the county sealer.

The sealer may employ such clerks and employees as may be approved by the appointing power. Any such clerk or employee shall not have authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

A county may in its discretion refer to a deputy county sealer as a weights and measures inspector.

county sealer weights and measures board of supervisors

Section § 12201

If a county sealer position becomes vacant, the secretary must quickly send a list of qualified candidates to the board in charge. If they don't hire anyone within 60 days, the secretary will choose directly. A Deputy State Sealer assigned to a specific county will automatically become the county sealer there and get a special county license.

If from any cause a vacancy occurs in the office of county sealer, the secretary upon learning of the vacancy shall immediately transmit to the board of supervisors or other appointing power a list of persons licensed by him or her for the position. If the appointing power fails to appoint a county sealer within 60 days after the receipt of the list, the secretary shall appoint a county sealer from that list. A person holding the position of Deputy State Sealer shall be appointed the county sealer of weights and measures for, and an employee of, the county to which he or she is assigned. The secretary shall issue to him or her a license that is valid only for the county he or she is serving. He or she shall become subject to this code.

county sealer vacancy board of supervisors appointing power

Section § 12201.1

This law states that the salaries and other compensations for county sealers and their staff are to be paid from the county treasury like other county officers. It also allows these employees to be reimbursed for travel and other expenses they incur while doing their job.

The salary and other compensation provided for the county sealer, deputy county sealers and inspectors and clerks shall be paid out of the county treasury in the same manner and at the same time as other county officers are paid. The county sealer, deputy county sealers and inspectors shall each be entitled to receive his traveling and incidental expenses incurred in the performance of his duties.

county sealer salaries county treasury funding deputy county sealers

Section § 12201.2

If a county can't appoint someone to the role of 'sealer', the secretary has to step in and do the job as if they were officially appointed. The county must pay back the department for any costs the secretary incurs while acting as the sealer.

If the position of sealer cannot be filled by the board of supervisors or other appointing power or by the secretary as provided in Section 12201, then it shall be the duty of the secretary to perform the duties of sealer in the same manner, to the same extent, and with the same authority as if he or she had been the duly appointed sealer therein. The board of supervisors of the county shall reimburse the department for all expenses incurred by the secretary in fulfilling his or her responsibilities under the provisions of this section.

sealer duties appointing power board of supervisors

Section § 12202

This law outlines the process for becoming a county sealer, deputy county sealer, or inspector in California. The secretary is responsible for testing candidates to ensure they are qualified for the roles and setting the rules for these exams. If candidates pass, they receive a license that lasts five years. Current license holders can renew their licenses without needing to retake the exam. Additionally, candidates might have to pay a fee for the examination to cover its costs.

(a) The secretary shall cause to be examined persons desiring to become county sealers, deputy county sealers, or inspectors and shall adopt rules and regulations governing these examinations given for the purpose of determining the fitness, experience, and qualifications of candidates for these positions. The secretary may provide for inspectors qualified to be employed in designated categories. Successful candidates shall be given a license that shall be good for five years unless revoked. Licenses of incumbent county sealers, deputy county sealers, or inspectors shall be renewed upon expiration without further examination.

(b) The secretary may charge each candidate a fee to cover the actual cost of providing the license examination.

county sealers deputy county sealers inspectors

Section § 12203

This law states that to be appointed as a county sealer, deputy county sealer, or inspector, a person must have a specific license. If no licensed person is available, a temporary appointment can be made based on a written recommendation from the secretary. These temporary appointments last up to six months or until a new license exam is conducted.

Except as provided in this section, no person shall hereafter be appointed to the office of county sealer, deputy county sealer, or inspector unless he or she has a license issued by the secretary as provided in Section 12202. If there is no person available for the position of county sealer who holds a license, the appointing power may make a temporary appointment of a person recommended in writing by the secretary. If the appointing power does not make a temporary appointment and no person can be appointed from the eligible list by the secretary, then the secretary may make a temporary appointment of a person competent to carry on the duties of the office. Any temporary appointment shall be for a period not exceeding six months or until the next license examination is held. If the position of deputy county sealer or inspector cannot be filled from the lists, a temporary appointment may be made, upon the written recommendation of the secretary for a period not exceeding six months.

county sealer deputy county sealer inspector

Section § 12204

If you live in a county with a civil service exam for jobs like sealers or inspectors, once you pass the exam, the secretary will give you a license without making you take another test. Also, the group in charge of these exams might require you to have this license to even apply for the job.

In chartered counties providing for the civil service examination of sealers, deputy sealers, or inspectors the secretary shall issue a license without further examination upon presentation of a certificate showing the candidate has passed the examination. In these counties the board or commission responsible for the civil service examination may require a license from the secretary as a minimum qualification.

civil service examination sealers deputy sealers

Section § 12205

This law states that county sealers in California must attend certain meetings, like the annual meeting of the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association, to get advice about better ways to do their job. When these meetings or duties take them outside their county, their travel expenses are covered by the county where they work.

For the purpose of receiving advice on the best and most efficacious methods of performing his or her duties and conducting his or her office, every county sealer serving in a county shall attend the annual meeting of the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association and other meetings as the department or the board of supervisors requires.

The county sealer shall be allowed all actual and necessary traveling expenses incurred while on any service that requires him or her to go outside the county. Those expenses shall be a charge against the county in which the county sealer is employed.

county sealer annual meeting California Agricultural Commissioners

Section § 12206

If a county appoints someone called a county sealer, their authority to do their job is valid all over the county.

The jurisdiction of a county sealer appointed by a county or the secretary extends over the entire territorial limits of the county.

county sealer jurisdiction territorial limits

Section § 12207

This law states that sealers—individuals who handle certain regulatory tasks—are given identification cards from a department. These cards must follow a specific format designed by the department. Once a sealer's job is done, they need to give the card back to the department.

The department shall furnish an identification card to each sealer. The identification card shall be of a form as prescribed by the department and shall be returned to the department by the sealer upon termination of his duties as a sealer.

identification card sealer department

Section § 12209

Every sealer is responsible for taking good care of the standards for weights and measures they have. They must store these standards safely when not in use. Each year, and whenever the department asks, they need to submit a report detailing their work, including inspections or tests performed on weights and measures, any legal actions taken for violations, and other relevant information as required by the department.

Every sealer shall:

(a) Carefully preserve all copies of the standards of weights and measures in his possession;

(b) Keep the copies in a safe and suitable place when not actually in use;

(c) Annually and at such other times as the department requires file with the department a written report of the work done by him, of the weights, measures, weighing and measuring instruments inspected or tested by him, the result of such inspection, of all prosecutions instituted by him for violations of the provisions of this division and of all other matters and things pertaining to his duties or which may be required by the department.

sealer responsibilities weights and measures standards annual report

Section § 12209.5

This law allows a sealer, who is directed by the board of supervisors, to distribute educational materials that help people use weights and measures correctly. They can also create exhibits to inform the public about what weights and measures officials do.

Each sealer may, when so directed by the board of supervisors, issue and cause to be distributed to such persons as he may deem proper illustrative material or statements best adapted to insure the correct use of weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices and may prepare exhibits designed to inform the public for its protection of the duties performed by weights and measures officials.

sealer board of supervisors illustrative material

Section § 12209.6

This law allows a county sealer to test and certify how accurate parking meters are in their area. If they find a meter that doesn't give the right amount of time that someone paid for, they must inform the meter's owner and can shut it down. People can park for free there until it's fixed.

(a) A county sealer may test and certify the accuracy of all parking meters located in the county in which the sealer has jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, parking meters owned or operated by a city, county, or a city and county.

(b) If the county sealer determines that a specific parking meter is inaccurate, the sealer shall notify the owner or operator of the meter, may immediately close the meter, and any person may park a vehicle free of charge in the parking space to which the inaccurate meter corresponds until the owner or operator replaces or repairs the inaccurate parking meter.

(c) For purposes of this section, an “inaccurate parking meter” means a parking meter that provides less time than is paid for by a person using the metered parking space.

county sealer parking meter accuracy free parking

Section § 12209.7

This law deals with the regulation and testing of electric vehicle chargers that are operated by public agencies in California. It requires county authorities to test and verify these chargers to ensure they work correctly. If a charger is found to be malfunctioning, it must be tagged 'out of order' and fixed within 30 days. The county can also penalize any removal of this tag by public agencies or their vendors. However, local publicly owned electric utilities handling their own stringent testing and documentation, as outlined, are exempt from these county procedures. Ultimately, it's the entity operating the charger that must comply with these requirements. This law becomes effective on January 1, 2026.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Correct” has the same meaning as defined in Section 12500.

(2) “Electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency” means an electric vehicle charger that is available for commercial use by the public and that is either owned by a public agency or for which the public agency has entered into an agreement to have the electric vehicle charger installed, maintained, or serviced, to have the revenues from the electric vehicle charger collected, or to otherwise have electric vehicle charging services performed on behalf of the public agency.

(3) “Incorrect” has the same meaning as defined in Section 12500.

(4) “Local publicly owned electric utility” has the same meaning as defined in Section 224.3 of the Public Utilities Code.

(5) “Public agency” means any city, county, city and county, district, or other local authority or public body of, or within, this state.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (g), a county sealer may test and verify as correct any electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency that is located in the county in which the sealer has jurisdiction.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (g), a county sealer, upon testing and finding that an electric vehicle charger operated by a public agency is incorrect, shall cause it to be marked with a tag or other suitable device with the words “out of order” and require the charger to be repaired or corrected within 30 days, subject to retesting and verification by the county sealer.

(d) Except as provided in subdivision (g), a county sealer may levy a civil penalty, pursuant to Section 12015.3, against a public agency, or a vendor or entity contracted by a public agency to provide and maintain electric vehicle charger services on behalf of a public agency, that removes or obliterates any tag or device placed, or caused to be placed, by a sealer on an electric vehicle charger operated by the public agency. For purposes of levying a civil penalty under this subdivision, a person described in Section 12015.3 includes a public agency and any contracted vendor or entity.

(e) Pursuant to Section 12240, a county board of supervisors may, by ordinance, charge an annual registration fee for the cost of inspecting and testing an electric vehicle charger, as authorized by this section.

(f) If a public agency owns an electric vehicle charger and leases the electric vehicle charger to another entity that operates the electric vehicle charger commercially, the entity that operates the electric vehicle charger commercially shall be the entity responsible for compliance with this section regarding that electric vehicle charger.

(g)

(1) Subdivisions (b), (c), and (d) do not apply to an electric vehicle charger operated by a local publicly owned electric utility if the local publicly owned electric utility does all of the following:

(A) Is responsible for conducting field testing to validate the compliance with specification and user requirements and measurement and transactional accuracy of its commercial electric vehicle chargers that are available for public use.

(B) Uses field inspection and testing practices equivalent to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Handbook 44 “Specifications, Tolerances, and other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices” inspection and test procedures for electric vehicle fueling systems and uses testing standards and equipment that are traceable to standards approved and maintained by the NIST or, in the absence of a standard approved and maintained by the NIST, a calibration laboratory accredited under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 standard.

(C) Tests and conducts a field inspection for each electric vehicle charger at least once every six months in accordance with subparagraph (B).

(D) Documents the results of a test and field inspection described in subparagraph (C) and any action taken to address a failed test or field inspection, retains that documentation for at least two years, and makes that documentation available to any person or entity that submits a request for it pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code).

(E) Conspicuously affixes a clear and legible identification notification on each electric vehicle charger that includes all of the following:

(i) The name and logo of the local publicly owned electric utility.

(ii) A statement that the electric vehicle charger is operated by the local publicly owned electric utility.

(iii) The local publicly owned electric utility’s customer service contact information for consumer comments, complaints, and questions.

(F) Sends a notice to the applicable county sealer indicating the local publicly owned electric utility’s intent to comply with this paragraph.

(2) If the county sealer finds that a local publicly owned electric utility is not in compliance with paragraph (1), the county sealer shall notify the utility director of the local publicly owned electric utility that is not in compliance and describe the areas of noncompliance. Within 30 days of receiving that notice, the local publicly owned electric utility shall respond to the county sealer and explain the actions taken by the local publicly owned electric utility to comply. If the local publicly owned electric utility fails to provide a response, the governing board of the local publicly owned electric utility shall discuss the notice of noncompliance at its next publicly noticed regular meeting.

(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2026.

electric vehicle chargers public agency county sealer

Section § 12210

In each county, a sealer is responsible for inspecting and testing all weighing and measuring devices used for commercial purposes. They also handle noncommercial devices upon written request, ensuring their accuracy. The county board of supervisors can ask sealers to perform these checks and may allow them to set and collect fees for these services.

(a) Each sealer shall, within his or her county inspect, try and test all weights, scales, beams, measures of any kind, instruments or mechanical devices for weighing or measurements, and tools, appliances and accessories connected with any or all such instruments or measures, sold, or used by any proprietor, agent, lessee or employee for commercial purposes, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 12500.

(b) Each sealer shall, when so directed by the board of supervisors of his or her county, and only upon the written request of any person, firm or corporation, calibrate, test, weigh, and measure, and certify to the accuracy of, noncommercial weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices, and instruments, tools, and accessories connected therewith. The board of supervisors may authorize the sealer to establish from time to time a schedule of fees to cover the cost of such service and to charge and collect the fees.

sealer responsibilities weights and measures device inspection

Section § 12210.3

This law states that if someone owns, uses, or operates a water submeter, they can ask the county's sealer to check its accuracy by testing and certifying it. The sealer will do this if the request is for extra checks or different timing than normal, if the submeter won't be used in the county within six months, or if it's going to be used in another county. The county board can allow the sealer to charge a fee for these services, and the fee must only cover the actual cost of doing the tests.

(a) A county sealer who possesses the appropriate equipment to perform tests on water submeters shall inspect, test, and certify to the accuracy of a water submeter, within his or her county and upon written request of the owner, user, or operator of the water submeter, if any of the following circumstances exist:

(1) The service is requested to be performed in addition to, or according to a schedule different from, any inspection frequency established by regulations adopted pursuant to Section 12212.

(2) The requested service pertains to a water submeter not intended to be placed into service in the county within six months.

(3) The requested service pertains to a water submeter intended to be placed into service in a different county.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 12210.5, the board of supervisors may authorize the sealer to establish, from time to time, a schedule of fees to cover the cost of services provided under subdivision (a) and to charge and collect the fees. The fee schedule shall be limited to the actual cost of performing those services.

water submeters county sealer accuracy testing

Section § 12210.5

This law allows counties in California to charge fees when they inspect or test commercial weighing or measuring devices at the request of the owner, even if those services could be provided by a private registered service agency. The county board of supervisors must approve the fee collection, and the fees must follow a uniform schedule set by the state secretary to match industry standards. The collected fees go into the county's general fund and are used only for managing and enforcing weight and measure laws.

(a) Any county which inspects or tests any weighing or measuring device or instrument used commercially, at the request of the owner or user of that device, when inspection or testing of the device could legally be performed by a registered service agency, as defined in Section 12531, may, if authorized by the county board of supervisors, collect from the requesting owner or user thereof a fee.

(b) That fee shall be based upon a uniform schedule of fees, which shall be prescribed by the secretary for use by the counties. The secretary shall prepare the schedule of fees to be comparable with the rates charged by the industry’s registered service agencies. All fees collected shall be credited to the general fund of the county in which collected and used only for the administration and enforcement of laws pertaining to weights and measures.

weighing devices measuring devices commercial use

Section § 12210.7

If you want to install a water submeter in a California county, you can use one inspected by another county, but you need to follow certain rules. The submeter must have the latest seal from the original inspecting county, be installed within a year of inspection, and must not have been tampered with or damaged since inspection.

A county sealer shall, within his or her county and upon written request of the owner, user, or operator of the water submeter, authorize the installation of a water submeter that has been inspected, tested, and sealed by the county sealer of another county if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The meter bears a seal that represents the most recent seal of the county in which the water submeter was inspected, in accordance with the provisions of Section 12505.

(b) The water submeter is installed no later than 12 months after the water submeter was inspected, tested, and sealed.

(c) The county sealer does not have reason to believe the water submeter has been tampered with, damaged, or otherwise rendered inoperable since the inspection, testing, and sealing by the other county sealer.

water submeter installation cross-county inspection county sealer

Section § 12211

This law requires officials, known as sealers, to check products being sold to ensure they actually contain the amount stated on their labels. The regulations guiding these checks are based on national standards but can be adapted by the state as needed. If a product is found to have less than what the label claims, the sealer can order it to stop being sold until the correct amount is clearly stated, and they might even take it as evidence. The goal is to make sure consumers are getting what they pay for.

Each sealer shall, from time to time, weigh or measure packages, containers, or amounts of commodities sold, or in the process of delivery, in order to determine whether they contain the quantity or amount represented and whether they are being sold in accordance with law.

The secretary shall adopt necessary regulations governing the procedures to be followed by sealers in connection with the weighing or measuring of amounts of commodities in individual packages, containers, or lots of packages or containers, including the procedures for sampling a lot, and for determining whether any package, container, or a lot of packages or containers complies with this section.

In adopting those regulations, the secretary shall adopt by reference the package checking procedures recommended by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and published in the current edition of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 133, “Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods,” and any subsequent amendments thereto, except insofar as those requirements are specifically modified, amended, or rejected by a regulation adopted by the secretary.

Any lot, package, or container of any commodity that conforms to this section shall be deemed to be in conformity with this division relating to stated net weights or measures.

Whenever a lot, package, or container of any commodity is found to contain, through the procedures authorized in this section, a less amount than that represented, the sealer shall order, in writing, that lot, package, or container of commodity off sale and require that an accurate statement of quantity be placed on each package or container before it may be released for sale by the sealer in writing. The sealer may seize as evidence any package or container that is found to contain a less amount than that represented.

seal checks commodity measurements Net Contents of Packaged Goods

Section § 12212

This law outlines how California oversees the regular inspection of commercial weighing and measuring devices. The state secretary is responsible for setting rules about how often these checks should happen. County officials, known as sealers, must follow these rules but can inspect more often if needed. If a county can't handle inspections due to lack of resources, the state may step in and charge the county for the service. Any fees collected are funneled back into state agricultural funds.

(a) The secretary shall adopt necessary regulations governing the inspection frequency of all commercially used weights, measures, and weighing and measuring apparatus in the state.

(b) The sealer of each county shall perform such inspections as may be required by the secretary. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the sealer from inspecting a device more frequently than required if he or she deems those tests to be necessary.

(c) Any regulation shall be adopted by the secretary in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11371) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(d) In counties where the secretary finds that the sealer, because of lack of equipment, is unable or fails to perform the tests as required herein, the secretary may enter into a contract with the board of supervisors of each of those counties to perform the tests. Those contracts shall provide that the county shall pay the cost of those services based upon a uniform schedule of fees developed by the secretary. The fee schedule shall be based on the approximate cost of performing those services. The contracts shall also provide that the secretary shall periodically render a bill to each county so served for the cost of services rendered, and the auditor of the county so billed shall pay the charge in the same manner in which other claims against the county are paid.

(e) All fees collected under the provisions of this section shall be credited to the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.

inspection frequency commercial weights measuring instruments

Section § 12213

A sealer is allowed to enter any place or stop any seller or delivery person without a warrant to check the items being sold or delivered. They can also ask the seller to bring their goods to another location for testing.

Each sealer may, in the general performance of his duty, without formal warrant, enter or go into or upon, any stand, place, building or premises or stop any vendor, peddler, junk-dealer, driver of a coal, ice, delivery, or other wagon or vehicle, containing commodities for sale or delivery and, if necessary, require him to proceed with the commodity to some place which the sealer may specify for the purpose of making the proper tests.

sealer authority inspections vendor oversight

Section § 12214

This section outlines the process for dealing with a county sealer who might be neglecting their duties, is incompetent, or is involved in misconduct. If there's enough evidence, a trial board is formed to review the case. This board includes an impartial person chosen by the secretary and the head of the state sealers' association. The sealer is given at least 10 days' notice before the hearing, which allows them to prepare a defense. If the board finds the sealer guilty, their license is revoked, their office is declared vacant, and county officials are informed. The same procedure applies to deputy sealers or inspectors.

(a) Upon satisfactory evidence presented to the secretary that the county sealer of any county is guilty of neglect of duty, incompetence, or misconduct in office, the trial board hereinafter provided for shall hold a hearing or hearings at times and places that it shall provide.

(b) The secretary and the president of the voluntary association of the sealers of the state shall select an impartial third person who, with them, shall compose a county sealer’s trial board to determine whether the sealer is guilty of the charges presented.

(c) At least 10 days prior to the date of hearing, the secretary shall give notice in writing to the sealer of the time and place of hearing and any information as to the nature of the charges that will enable the sealer to make a defense thereto.

(d) At the hearing or hearings, the trial board shall hear evidence that is offered and thereafter, within 30 days, make an order dismissing the charges or an order disqualifying the sealer.

(e) In case the order disqualifies the sealer, the secretary shall forthwith revoke the sealer’s license and declare the office vacant and a copy of the order shall be immediately transmitted by the secretary to the board of supervisors and the auditor of the county in which the sealer held office.

(f) The license of a deputy sealer or inspector may be revoked in the same manner and for the same causes that a license of a sealer may be revoked.

county sealer neglect of duty incompetence

Section § 12215

If a county official who checks weights and measures finds evidence of tampering with devices like scales or parking meters to commit fraud, they must work with law enforcement to investigate and potentially prosecute the fraud.

A county sealer who receives information or evidence indicating that any weighing or measuring device, parking meter, or other installation under the county sealer’s jurisdiction has been altered in such a way as to facilitate any type of fraud shall coordinate with the appropriate law enforcement authorities as needed in investigating and prosecuting the fraudulent activity.

county sealer weighing device tampering parking meter fraud

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