California · Penal Code

PEN §653.1: (a) No person or group shall release, outdoors, balloons made of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air, as part of a public or civic event, promotional activity, or p

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is illegal to release electrically conductive balloons filled with lighter-than-air gas at public events or for promotional purposes. A first or second violation is an infraction with a fine up to $100; a third violation becomes a misdemeanor.

Read the full statutory text

(a) No person or group shall release, outdoors, balloons made of electrically conductive material and filled with a gas lighter than air, as part of a public or civic event, promotional activity, or product advertisement. (b) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100). Any person who violates this section who has been previously convicted twice of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (c) This section shall not apply to manned hot air balloons, or to balloons used in governmental or scientific research projects.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.