The Overview

If you live or work near a big warehouse in California, the safety rules that govern it just got a lot more expensive to ignore. Cities and counties can now fine operators up to $5,000 for repeat health and safety violations at nonresidential structures of 20,000 square feet or more. ​

California's Senate Bill 716, which raises the fines cities and counties can impose for certain ordinance violations at large nonresidential structures, became law when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 27. A 2026 warehouse fire in Boyle Heights and a chemical emergency in Garden Grove had raised concerns about gaps in oversight of facilities handling hazardous substances, with reviews finding that both facilities had accumulated violations over time while continuing to operate, according to CalMatters.

What the Law Does

The law targets nonresidential structures of 20,000 square feet or more. When a violation poses a threat to health and safety, fines run up to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second within five years, and $5,000 for any subsequent violation within five years.

It amends existing California law on general monetary limits for local ordinance infractions by carving out this higher-fine structure for large nonresidential buildings, and authorizes county boards of supervisors to impose fines, penalties, and forfeitures for ordinance violations. The Los Angeles Times reported that operators could face fines of up to $50,000 per violation, a figure that differs from the $5,000 cap for subsequent violations in the bill text.

Legislative Status

Sen. María Elena Durazo (D-CA-26) sponsored the bill, with Mark González as principal coauthor and Caloza as coauthor. The Senate passed the bill June 4, 2025, 29-8. It failed a final Assembly committee vote 2-2 on Aug. 27, 2026, but was amended, pulled from committee, and passed the Assembly floor 45-18 on Aug. 31. The Senate concurred in the Assembly's amendments 30-10 the same day.

Durazo said after the signing: "I want to thank Governor Newsom for listening to the people of Boyle Heights and for signing AB 817 and SB 716 into law. These measures give us a plan, resources, accountability, and the tools to act when our communities need their government most," according to Durazo's office. LAist reported the law was among several signed after the Lineage warehouse fire.

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