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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 7Ch. 3Art. 1.5§ 14027 Civil Penalties Violations

§ 14027 Civil Penalties Violations

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 14027 Civil Penalties Violations

This law says that anyone who breaks environmental rules can be fined up to $10,000 each day, and the court looks at business size, how serious the violation is, whether the person acted in good faith, and past violations when deciding the fine.

Key Takeaways

  • •Fines up to $10,000 per day for each violation
  • •Penalty amount depends on business size, gravity, good faith, and history
  • •Liability requires proof of intentional or negligent conduct
  • •Collected money goes to the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund

Example

A small family-owned dairy farm lets manure runoff into a nearby stream, breaking its permit condition.

The department can fine the farm up to $10,000 for every day the runoff continues because the farm violated a permit condition. The fine amount will consider the farm's small size, the seriousness of polluting the stream, whether the farm acted in good faith, and any previous violations.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 14027 Civil Penalties Violations

(a) Notwithstanding Section 12998, any person who violates any rule or regulation, emission limitation, or permit condition adopted pursuant to this article is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each day in which the violation occurs. In assessing a civil penalty under this article, the court shall consider the appropriateness of the penalty with respect to the following factors: (1) The size of the business of the person being charged. (2) The gravity of the violation. (3) The good faith of the person being charged. (4) The history of previous violations. Any money recovered under this section shall be paid into the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund for use by the department in administering this division and Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401). (b) Liability may be imposed under subdivision (a) only if the department establishes that the violation was caused by an act which was the result of intentional or negligent conduct by the person accused of the violation. (Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1380, Sec. 4. Note: See this section as modified on July 17, 1991, in Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1991.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

civil penaltyemission limitationpermit conditionintentional or negligent conductDepartment of Food and Agriculture Fund

Related Statutes

  • § 14008 Permit Violation Penalties
  • § 14021 Pesticide Toxic Air Contaminants
  • § 14022 Pesticide Air Contaminant Evaluation
  • § 14023 Pesticide Health Hazard Report
  • § 14024 Pesticide Emission Health Controls

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 14027.
View Official Source