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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 26Pt. 5Ch. 1§ 43016 Air Quality Violation Penalties

§ 43016 Air Quality Violation Penalties

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 43016 Air Quality Violation Penalties

Key Takeaways

  • •Breaking air pollution rules can cost you up to $37,500 per mistake. For small things like gas cans or lawnmowers, the fine is up to $500 each.
  • •If a company breaks the rules, they might have to pay a fine AND fix their products to follow the law before they can keep selling them.
  • •The fine amounts can go up over time because of inflation (like how things get more expensive over the years).
  • •All the money from these fines goes into a special fund to help fight air pollution.

Example

A company sells 100 dirty lawnmowers that break air pollution rules.

The company could be fined up to $500 for each lawnmower. That means $500 x 100 = $50,000 total. They might also have to fix the lawnmowers to follow the rules before selling more.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 43016 Air Quality Violation Penalties

(a) (1) A person who violates any provision of this part, or any order, rule, or regulation of the state board adopted pursuant to this part, and for which violation there is not provided in this part any other specific civil penalty or fine, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($37,500) for each such action pursuant to this part. Violations involving portable fuel containers or small off-road engines shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per unit. For a manufacturer or distributor who violates any provision of this part, or any order, rule, or regulation of the state board adopted pursuant to this part, the payment of the penalty and making the product compliant with applicable emission control laws may be required by the executive officer of the state board as conditions for the continued sale in this state of those products regulated by the state board pursuant to this division. (2) The state board shall adjust the maximum penalties specified in paragraph (1) for inflation based on the California Consumer Price Index. The adjustment shall be exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). (b) Any penalty collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Air Pollution Control Fund. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 604, Sec. 1. (AB 1685) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 24, 2026

Key Terms

pollutionregulationemissionpenaltyportroadfineviolation

Related Statutes

  • § 43008.6 Commercial Vehicle Emission Inspections
  • § 43018.11 Small Off-Road Engine Emissions
  • § 43023 Vehicular Air Pollution Penalties
  • § 43024 Penalty Policy For Violations
  • § 43024.1 Glider Vehicle Emission Standards

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 43016.
View Official Source