State Seal, Flag, and EmblemsDisplay of Flags
Section § 430
This law requires that both the U.S. Flag and the California State Flag be clearly set up, shown, and kept in good condition in specific places. These places include all courtrooms in California and any rooms where sessions are held by any court or state, county, or city commissions.
Section § 431
This California law mandates that both the United States Flag and the California State Flag must be prominently displayed during business hours in several key locations. These include any public buildings owned by the state, counties, or municipalities, entrances and exits of state parks, all University of California campuses, every school (public or private) from universities to elementary schools, agricultural inspection stations on highways entering California, and state highway maintenance stations with on-site personnel.
Section § 432
This law requires that both the United States flag and the California state flag be clearly displayed at all public events held in outdoor venues like coliseums, stadiums, and race tracks.
Section § 433
This law mandates that during any procession or parade, the United States and California state flags must be displayed at the front if the event involves the National Guard, California State Guard, any other state military groups, sheriff’s posse, or city police or fire departments.
Section § 434
If a public place in California is required to display the United States and California flags, the responsible public officials must ensure these flags are acquired and properly displayed and maintained.
Section § 434.5
This law ensures that people have the right to display the U.S. flag on private property. No one, including government agencies, can create rules that stop someone from doing this, unless the flag is used for advertising purposes. Local governments can impose reasonable rules on when and how flags can be displayed to keep public order and safety. However, these rules can't be based only on how things look (aesthetics). Also, local government employees can display the U.S. flag or a flag pin at work or on government vehicles, with reasonable restrictions to maintain workplace discipline.
Section § 434.7
Starting January 1, 2017, any American or California flags bought by the state government or local government agencies must be made in the United States.
Local government agencies include entities like counties, cities, towns, and school districts.
Section § 435
This law states that if a city or county in California has created an official flag, no other city or county can create a new flag that looks so much like the existing one that it could confuse people about which city or county the flag belongs to.
Section § 436
This law mandates that when both the National Flag and State Flag are displayed together, they must be the same size. If there's only one flagpole, the National Flag should be at the top, and the State Flag should not obstruct any part of it. The National Flag must always be in the highest place of respect.
Section § 437
This law allows any citizen of a county to file a complaint in superior court regarding an offense, which the court is then responsible for handling and enforcing.
Section § 438
This law allows any U.S. flags currently owned or later acquired by various government agencies in California to be used until they are no longer in serviceable condition. This applies to flags obtained through contracts made before March 18, 1959.
Section § 439
This law assigns the Adjutant General the responsibility to set rules about when, where, and how the California State Flag can be displayed. The Adjutant General must also gather all the relevant laws and regulations about the State Flag and make them available to the public at a cost through the Department of General Services.