CHAPTER 2. Definitions [39010. - 39060.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 2.
in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39010. Section 39010.

Unless the context requires otherwise, a definition set forth in this chapter shall govern the construction of this division, unless and until rules and regulations are adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 39601 which revise such definition.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39011. Section 39011.

“Agricultural burning” means open outdoor fires used in any of the following: (a) Agricultural operations in the growing of crops or raising of fowl or animals, or open outdoor fires used in forest management, range improvement, or the improvement of land for wildlife and game habitat, or disease or pest prevention. (b) The operation or maintenance of a system for the delivery of water for the purposes specified in subdivision (a). (c) Wildland vegetation management burning. (1) For purposes of this subdivision, wildland vegetation management burning is the use of prescribed burning conducted by a public agency, or through a cooperative agreement or contract involving a public agency, to burn land predominantly covered with chaparral, trees, grass, or standing brush. (2) For purposes of this subdivision, prescribed burning is the planned application and confinement of fire to wildland fuels on lands selected in advance of that application to achieve any of the following objectives: (A) Prevention of high-intensity wildland fires through reduction of the volume and continuity of wildland fuels. (B) Watershed management. (C) Range improvement. (D) Vegetation management. (E) Forest improvement. (F) Wildlife habitat improvement. (G) Air quality maintenance. (3) The planned application of fire may include natural or accidental ignition.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39011.5. Section 39011.5.

(a) “Agricultural source of air pollution” or “agricultural source” means a source of air pollution or a group of sources used in the production of crops, or the raising of fowl or animals located on contiguous property under common ownership or control that meets any of the following criteria: (1) Is a confined animal facility, including, but not limited to, any structure, building, installation, barn, corral, coop, feed storage area, milking parlor, or system for the collection, storage, treatment, and distribution of liquid and solid manure, if domesticated animals, including, but not limited to, cattle, calves, horses, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, or ducks are corralled, penned, or otherwise caused to remain in restricted areas for commercial agricultural purposes and feeding is by means other than grazing. (2) Is an internal combustion engine used in the production of crops or the raising of fowl or animals, including, but not limited to, an engine subject to Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 41750) of Chapter 3 of Part 4 except an engine that is used to propel implements of husbandry, as that term is defined in Section 36000 of the Vehicle Code, as that section existed on January 1, 2003. Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 39601, the state board may not revise this definition for the purposes of this section. (3) Is a Title V source, as that term is defined in Section 39053.5, or is a source that is otherwise subject to regulation by a district pursuant to this division or the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.). (b) Any district rule or regulation affecting stationary sources on agricultural operations adopted on or before January 1, 2004, is applicable to an agricultural source. (c) Nothing in this section limits the authority of a district to regulate a source, including, but not limited to, a stationary source that is an agricultural source, over which it otherwise has jurisdiction pursuant to this division, or pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.) or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to that act that were in effect on or before January 1, 2003, or to exempt an agricultural source from any requirement otherwise applicable under Section 40724 or 42301.16, based upon a finding by the district in a public hearing that the aggregate emissions from that source do not exceed a de minimis level of more than one ton of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, or volatile organic compounds per year.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39013. Section 39013.

“Air contaminant” or “air pollutant” means any discharge, release, or other propagation into the atmosphere and includes, but is not limited to, smoke, charred paper, dust, soot, grime, carbon, fumes, gases, odors, particulate matter, acids, or any combination thereof.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39014. Section 39014.

“Ambient air quality standards” means specified concentrations and durations of air pollutants which reflect the relationship between the intensity and composition of air pollution to undesirable effects established by the state board or, where applicable, by the federal government.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39015. Section 39015.

“Bay district” means the Bay Area Air Quality Management District continued in existence pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 40200) of Part 3.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39018. Section 39018.

“Certification” means a finding by the state board that a motor vehicle, motor vehicle engine, or motor vehicle pollution control device has satisfied the criteria adopted by the state board for the control of specified air contaminants from vehicular sources.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39019. Section 39019.

“Certified device” means a motor vehicle pollution control device with a certification, and includes a motor vehicle pollution control device previously accredited or approved by the state board or by the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board. The term “accredited” or “approved” may continue to be used with respect to such devices previously accredited or approved.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39019.6. Section 39019.6.

“Cogeneration technology project” shall not include existing equipment owned or operated by the applicant or host industry which is not modified as a result of utilizing cogeneration technology.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39020. Section 39020.

“Combustible or flammable solid waste” means any garbage, rubbish, trash, rags, paper, boxes, crates, excelsior, ashes, offal, carcass of a dead animal, or any other combustible or flammable refuse matter which is in a solid form.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39021.5. Section 39021.5.

“Components of emissions control systems” are those parts included in the state board’s “Emissions Warranty Parts List,” dated December 14, 1978, referenced in subdivision (c) of Section 2036 of Title 13 of the California Administrative Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39023.3. Section 39023.3.

“Fugitive emissions” mean those emissions that cannot reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening. Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 39601, the state board may not revise this definition for the purposes of this section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39024. Section 39024.

“Crankcase emissions” means substances emitted directly to the atmosphere from any opening leading to the crankcase of a motor vehicle engine. Crankcase gases which are conducted to the engine intake or exhaust systems are not included in the definition of crankcase emissions, but are defined as exhaust emissions.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39024.6. Section 39024.6.

“Direct import vehicle” means any light-duty motor vehicle manufactured outside of the United States which was not intended by the manufacturer for sale in the United States and which was not certified by the state board pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 43100) of Chapter 2 of Part 5.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39025. Section 39025.

“District” means an air pollution control district or an air quality management district created or continued in existence pursuant to provisions of Part 3 (commencing with Section 40000).

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39026.5. Section 39026.5.

“Elderly low-income person” means an individual over 62 years of age who resides in a household wherein the combined adjusted gross income, as defined in Section 17072 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, of all members of the household, including such individual over 62 years of age, was less than seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for the previous calendar year.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39027.3. Section 39027.3.

(a) “Bidirectional control” means the capability of a diagnostic tool to send messages on the data (bus) that temporarily overrides the module’s control over a sensor or actuator and gives control to the diagnostic tool operator. Bidirectional controls do not create permanent changes to engine or component calibrations. (b) “Covered person” means any person engaged in the business of service or repair of motor vehicles who is licensed or registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, pursuant to Section 9884.6 of the Business and Professions Code, to conduct that business, or who is engaged in the manufacture or remanufacture of emissions-related motor vehicle parts for those motor vehicles. (c) “Data stream information” means information that originates within the vehicle by a module or intelligent sensors including, but not limited to, a sensor that contains and is controlled by its own module and transmitted between a network of modules and intelligent sensors connected in parallel with either one or two communication wires. The information is broadcast over communication wires for use by other modules such as chassis or transmissions to conduct normal vehicle operation or for use by diagnostic tools. Data stream information does not include engine calibration-related information. (d) “Emissions-related motor vehicle information” means information regarding any of the following: (1) Any original equipment system, component, or part that controls emissions. (2) Any original equipment system, component, or part associated with the powertrain system including, but not limited to, the fuel system and ignition system. (3) Any original equipment system or component that is likely to impact emissions, including, but not limited to, the transmission system. (e) “Emissions-related motor vehicle part” means any direct replacement automotive part or any automotive part certified by executive order of the state board that may affect emissions from a motor vehicle, including replacement parts, consolidated parts, rebuilt parts, remanufactured parts, add-on parts, modified parts, and specialty parts. (f) “Enhanced data stream information” means data stream information that is specific for an original equipment manufacturer’s brand of tools and equipment. (g) “Enhanced diagnostic tool” means a diagnostic tool that is specific to the original equipment manufacturer’s vehicles.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39027.5. Section 39027.5.

(a) “Emissions retrofit device” means an exhaust device certified pursuant to Section 43630 or approved for use pursuant to Section 27156 of the Vehicle Code which renders a modified vehicle a low-emission motor vehicle, as defined by Section 43800. (b) This section shall become inoperative five years from the date determined pursuant to Section 32 of the act adding this section, and on the January 1 following that date is repealed.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39032. Section 39032.

“Fuel system” means the combination of fuel tank, fuel lines and carburetor, or fuel injector, and includes all vents and fuel evaporative emission control systems or devices.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39032.5. Section 39032.5.

“Gross polluter” means a vehicle with excess hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, or oxides of nitrogen emissions as established by the department in consultation with the state board.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39037.05. Section 39037.05.

“Low-emission motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which has been certified by the state board to meet all applicable emission standards and which meets at least one of the following additional requirements: (a) Is capable of operating on methanol, as determined by the state board, and will have an adverse impact on ambient ozone air quality not greater than a vehicle which meets the requirements of subdivision (c). (b) Is capable of operating on any available fuel other than gasoline or diesel and, in the determination of the state board, will have an adverse impact on ambient ozone air quality not greater than a vehicle operating on methanol. (c) Operates exclusively on gasoline and is certified to meet a hydrocarbon exhaust emission standard which is at least twice as stringent as otherwise applicable to gasoline vehicles of the same year and class.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39038. Section 39038.

“Model year” means the manufacturer’s annual production period which includes January 1 of a calendar year or, if the manufacturer has no annual production period, the calendar year. In the case of any vehicle manufactured in two or more stages, the time of manufacture shall be the date of completion of the chassis.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39040. Section 39040.

“Motor vehicle pollution control device” means equipment designed for installation on a motor vehicle for the purpose of reducing the air contaminants emitted from the vehicle, or a system or engine modification on a motor vehicle which causes a reduction of air contaminants emitted from the vehicle.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39043.5. Section 39043.5.

“Obscurant” means fog oil released into the atmosphere during military exercises which produces a smoke screen designed to eliminate the detection of persons or objects by visual or electronic means of observation within a localized area.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39044. Section 39044.

“Open outdoor fire” means any combustion of combustible material of any type outdoors in the open, not in any enclosure, where the products of combustion are not directed through a flue.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39045. Section 39045.

“Orchard or citrus grove heater” means any article, machine, equipment, or other contrivance, burning any type of fuel or material capable of emitting air contaminants, used, or capable of being used, for the purpose of giving protection from frost damage.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39047. Section 39047.

“Person” includes all of the following: (a) A “person” as defined in Section 19. (b) Any state or local governmental agency or public district, or any officer or employee thereof. However, no state or local governmental agency or public district, or any officer or employee thereof, shall be criminally liable or responsible under the provisions of Part 4 (commencing with Section 41500) for any acts done by such governmental agency, or public district, in the performance of its functions or by such officers or employees in the performance of their duties. (c) The United States or its agencies, to the extent authorized by federal law.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39050.5. Section 39050.5.

“Resource recovery project” means a project which converts municipal wastes, agricultural wastes, forest wastes, landfill gas, or digester gas in a manner so as to produce energy as a byproduct in the air basin in which they are produced.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39050.7. Section 39050.7.

“Sacramento district” means the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District created pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 40950) of Part 3.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39051. Section 39051.

“Schedule of increments of progress” means a statement of dates when various steps are to be taken to bring a source of air contaminants into compliance with emission standards and shall include, to the extent feasible, the following: (a) The date of submittal of the final plan for the control of emissions of air contaminants from that source to the appropriate district. (b) The date by which contracts for emission control systems or process modifications will be awarded, or the date by which orders will be issued for the purchase of component parts to accomplish emission control or process modification. (c) The date of initiation of onsite construction or installation of emission control equipment or process change. (d) The date by which onsite construction or installation of emission control equipment or process modification is to be completed. (e) The date by which final compliance is to be achieved. (f) Such other dates by which other appropriate and necessary steps shall be taken to permit close and effective supervision of progress toward timely compliance.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39051.5. Section 39051.5.

“Schoolbus” means a heavy-duty motor vehicle exclusively designed and built for the transportation of any school, college, or university student to or from educational facilities or activities.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39051.7. Section 39051.7.

(a) “Smog index” means the index number assigned to a motor vehicle by the state board pursuant to Section 44251 to indicate the effect of the use of that vehicle on ozone levels in ozone nonattainment areas. (b) This section shall become inoperative five years from the date determined pursuant to Section 32 of the act adding this section, and on the January 1 following that date is repealed.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39053.5. Section 39053.5.

“Title V source” means only a stationary source required by federal law to be included in an operating permit program established pursuant to Title V of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Secs. 7661 to 7661f, incl.) and the federal regulations adopted pursuant to Title V.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39053.6. Section 39053.6.

“Trading program with capped emissions” or “emission-capped trading program” means a market-based incentive trading program adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 39616 that allows sources to comply with an emission cap or limit by acquiring marketable emission credits.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 39055.5. Section 39055.5.

“Ultimate purchaser” means, with respect to any new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine, the first person who in good faith purchases a new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine for purposes other than resale.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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