Your device must be registered and certified by your local county Weights & Measures office if your device is used for the determinization of the weight, measure, or count of any commodity or thing that is sold by the basis of weight, measure, or count; or the determination of the weight, measure, or count of any commodity or thing upon which determination a charge for service is based. Devices used in a determination upon which a charge for service is based include, but are not limited to, taximeters, odometers, timing devices, parcel scales, shipping scales, and scales used in the payment of agricultural workers.

Your scale does not need to be registered or certified by your local Weights & Measures office if the determination of the weight, measure, or count of any commodity or thing that is performed within a plant or business as a part of the manufacturing, processing, or preparing for market of that commodity or thing, or the determination of charges for the transmission of letters or parcels of less than 150 pounds, except when that determination is made in the presence of the customer charged for the service, or the determination of the weight of any animal or human by a qualified health provider, California-licensed veterinarian, licensed physician and surgeon, or staff members within the business operations of, and under the supervision of, a California licensed veterinarian or licensed physician and surgeon for the purposes of determining the appropriate dosage of any medication or medical treatment or the volume, duration, or application of any medical procedure.

Monterey County has an annual Device Registration. All Monterey County Device Registrations expire on December 31st and must be renewed by January 31st.

Most commercial devices must be inspected on a yearly basis. Exception to this are submeters (electric, hydrocarbon vapor, and water) which are inspected every 10 years, and prescription scales, which are tested every 2 years.

Contact your local Weights & Measures office to register and certify the scale prior to commercial use.

If your device needs repair, you should contact a Registered Service Agency (RSA). RSA’s can repair and place device into commercial use pending inspection by local Weights & Measures officials. RSA listing may be found on the CDFA Division of Measurement Standards website.

Commercial scales should be repaired by a Registered Service Agency (RSA). Upon completion of repairs, an RSA may place the scale into commercial use pending inspection by a local Weights and Measures official. If a device is repaired by the owner, the device may not be used until inspected and certified by a County Weights & Measures Inspector.

We recommend purchasing a scale from a Registered Service Agency (RSA). They may assist you with the appropriate guidance in the selection of a type approved and suitable scale. An RSA will ensure the scale is accurate, correct, install, and place the scale into commercial use pending inspection by a local weights and measures official. You may also purchase a Legal‐for‐trade scales from a scale dealer or online, but please be aware that scales will require calibration before use. Additionally, these devices are to be certified by a County Weights & Measures official prior to commercial use.

Scales should be repaired by a Registered Service Agency (RSA). RSA listing may be found on the CDFA Division of Measurement Standards website.

No, all visits are unannounced to verify the business practices being inspected are representative of standards operating procedure.

Retail Motor Fuel Meters are tested annually.

You may contact your location Weights & Measures office to submit a complaint. To submit a complaint that that occurred within Monterey County, you may contact our office by phone at (831)759-7382 or send us an email at: mcwm@co.monterey.ca.us

Yes, this is possible. The capacity of your gasoline tank found in your owner’s manual is only an estimate. The actual volume it holds can be higher or lower than the stated capacity. If you still feel that the dispenser may be inaccurate, contact the County Department of Weights and Measures to file a complaint.