Frequently Asked Questions about California’s Codes

California has over 156,000 statutes that are contained in its 29 Codes. These 29 Codes vary in size, content, and approach. The following provides an overview of the 29 Codes and some of their similar and different provisions:

What is contained in the Business and Professions Code? There are 13 Divisions. Topics covered include Department of Consumer Affairs, business rights, real estate, special regulations, cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis. There are 10,036 sections.

What is contained in the Civil Code? There are 4 Divisions. Topics covered include persons, property, and obligations. There are 3,710 sections.

What is contained in the Code of Civil Procedure? There are 4 Parts. Topics covered include courts of justice, civil actions, and special proceedings. There are 3,283 sections.

What is contained in the Commercial Code? There are 15 Divisions. Topics covered include sales, negotiable instruments, letters of credit, title, leases, and fund transfers. There are 646 sections.

What is contained in the Corporations Code? There are 6 Titles. Topics covered include corporations, partnerships, LLCs, unincorporated. There are 2,405 sections.

What is contained in the Education Code? There are only 3 Titles. Topics covered include secondary education, and postsecondary education. There are 11,061 sections.

What is contained in the Elections Code? There are 22 Divisions. Topics covered include elections, voters, political parties, nominations, measures submitted to voters, recalls, ballots, election ballots, and voting systems. There are 2,280 sections.

What is contained in the Evidence Code? There are 11 Divisions. Topics covered include judicial notice, burden of proof, witnesses, expert witnesses, hearsay evidence, and writings. There are 502 sections.

What is contained in the Family Code? There are 17 Divisions. Topics covered include marriage, domestic partners, division of property, custody of children, minors, adoption, and support services. There are 1,715 sections.

What is contained in the Financial Code? There are 37 Divisions. Topics covered include banking, financial information privacy, financial institutions, covered loans, securities, ATMs, credit unions, escrow agents, consumer finance, student loans, mortgage lending, financial literary, and debt collection. There are 3,335 sections.

What is contained in the Fish and Game Code? There are 17 Divisions. Topics covered include fish and game, birds and mammals, aquaculture, and Indian fishing. There are 2,275 sections.

What is contained in the Food and Agricultural Code? There are 25 Divisions. Topics covered include state and local administration, expositions and fairs, pest control, animals, cattle, bees and honey, dogs and cats, milk products, fruits and nuts, field crops, marketing, and industrial hemp. There are 9,760 sections.

What is contained in the Government Code? There are 59 Titles. Topics covered include state government, counties, cities, local agencies, planning and land use, two dozen authorities and transportation entities, political reform, tribal gaming compacts, international relations, and health care entities. There are 21,114 sections.

What is contained in the Harbors and Navigation Code? There are 9 Divisions. Topics covered include navigable waters, vessels, pilots, harbors, and ports. There are 1,290 sections.

What is contained in the Health and Safety Code? There are 67 Divisions. Topics covered include public health, emergency medical services, sanitation, cemeteries, drug and alcohol programs, substance abuse, hospitals, health services, air resources, pollution control, vital records, health access, prescription drugs. There are 16,740 sections.

What is contained in the Insurance Code? There are 5 Divisions. Topics covered include classes of insurance, the Insurance Commissioner, and insurance adjusters. There are 4,479 sections.

What is contained in the Labor Code? There are 7 Divisions. Topics covered include Department of Industrial Relations, employment relations, workers’ compensation, retraining, and employment safety. There are 2,520 sections.

What is contained in the Military and Veterans Code? There are 8 Divisions. Topics covered include veterans, emblems, cemeteries, military forces. There are 1,206 sections.

What is contained in the Penal Code? There are 6 Parts. Topics covered include crimes, punishment, criminal procedure, imprisonment, crime prevention, and control of deadly weapons. There are 5,638 sections.

What is contained in the Probate Code? There are 13 Divisions. Topics covered include guardianships, conservatorships, health care decisions, wills, intestate succession, trusts. There are 2,672 sections.

What is contained in the Public Contract Code? There are 2 Divisions. Topics covered includes those focused on public contracting. There are 1,571 sections.

What is contained in the Public Resources Code? There are 74 Divisions. Topics covered include geology, oil, gas, forestry, parks, agricultural land, recycling, environmental protection, green energy, ten local conservancies, waste management, safe drinking water. There are 7,653 sections.

What is contained in the Public Utilities Code? There are 34 Divisions. Topics covered include energy, Public Utilities Commission, utilities, aviation, transit boards, and eleven local transit agencies, and high-speed rail. There are 7,441 sections.

What is contained in the Revenue and Taxation Code? There are 2 Divisions. Topics covered include property taxes, personal income taxes, corporation taxes, sales and use taxes, and special taxes. There are 7,068 sections.

What is contained in the Streets and Highways Code? There are 19 Divisions. Topics covered include city streets, county roads, state highways, expenditures of funds, multiple bond measures, tolling, and street lighting. There are 4,572 sections.

What is contained in the Unemployment Insurance Code? There are 8 Divisions. Topics covered include employment services, tax withholding, workforce development, and unemployment and disability insurance. There are 904 sections.

What is contained in the Vehicle Code? There are 33 Divisions. Topics covered include vehicle registration and sales, licenses, financial responsibility, rules of the road, transportation of certain types of materials, bicycles, and towing. There are 3,458 sections.

What is contained in the Water Code? There are 32 Divisions. Topics covered include flood control, water quality, irrigation and water districts, water supply and conservation, wildfire prevention, and several local agencies. There are 10,058 sections.

What is contained in the Welfare and Institutions Code? There are 20 Divisions. Topics covered include children, youth, mental institutions, older Californians, developmental services, long-term care, and the Department of Rehabilitation. There are 6,874 sections.

Chart of California’s Codes

California has over 156,000 statutes that are contained in its 29 Codes, which vary in size, content, and approach. The following chart provides an overview of the 29 Codes: