Permits and Regulations Program

Questions concerning bringing houseplants, fruits, or vegetables into California, must be directed to our Pest Exclusion Branch at (916) 654-0312 or peinfo@cdfa.ca.gov. Information may also be obtained from the Pest Exclusion website.

1220 N Street, Room 210
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-1017
Email: permits@cdfa.ca.gov
FAX: (916) 654-1018


Permits and Regulations

The permits and regulations program develops all regulations administered by Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services and develops associated legally required documents such as notices, statements of reason, orders, and certificates of compliance. This program also issues state permits involving agricultural pests and quarantine commodities as authorized under administrative regulations and the Food and Agricultural Code. This program also recommends approval or disapproval of applications for Federal permits which are issued by the USDA. These permits concern movement into California of plant pests, foreign soil, foreign postentry quarantine plant material, genetically engineered organisms, and foreign commodities normally prohibited entry into the United States.

The program has 30 days to notify an applicant if their application is complete or deficient.

The Department of Food and Agriculture has established time periods for the processing of permit applications, in compliance with Government Code Sections 15374-15378. Failure to comply with these time periods may be appealed to the Director of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street, P.O. Box 942871, Sacramento, CA 94271-0001, pursuant to regulations set forth in Title 3, California Code of Regulations, Section 301. Under certain circumstances, the Director may order that the applicant receive a reimbursement of filing fees.

CDFA FILL-IN FORMS (California State Permits)

FILL-IN FORMS or copies of application forms are available for download below. If you have problems with a form, contact us at (916) 654-1017.

This application is for the movement of live plant pests within California, including within counties, and is for entities who want to do diagnostics or work with plant pests. Examples of who should apply for this permit:

  • A laboratory performing diagnostic tests on plant or insect material.
  • An individual wishing to move viral, bacterial or fungal organisms within the state.
  • An individual moving non-exempt insects within the state.

This permit does not exempt the holder from compliance with state interior quarantines or county ordinances.

Note: An applicant signature is required. If you are unable to complete a digital signature, you may print the application and either scan and email the signed form to permits@cdfa.ca.gov or fax it to 916-654-1018.

  • Fill-in Form 66-026L - Application for Permit to Process California Non-regulatory Samples for HLB Testing

This application is for California non-regulatory Diagnostic Laboratory testing [Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) Tissue and Citrus Plant Tissue] for Huanglongbing (HLB). This permit will require the laboratory to undergo a facility site inspection by CDFA technical staff prior to issuance of a permit. The purpose of the permit conditions are to ensure the capability of private laboratories, without Certification by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Plant Pathogen Laboratory Accreditation Program (NPPLAP), to make accurate diagnostic determinations of all Suspect Positive Samples processed by them, and to enable replication and confirmation of these determinations by the CDFA. Please complete the following steps.

Note: An applicant signature is required. If you are unable to complete a digital signature, you may print the application and either scan and email the signed form to permits@cdfa.ca.gov or fax it to 916-654-1018.

This permit is generally used for moving commodities for commercial purposes. This material would normally not be allowed entry into California from areas within the U.S. or allowed movement within California due to plant pest quarantines. The conditions of the permit are biologically equivalent to those in the applicable state interior or exterior quarantine.

Note: An applicant signature is required. If you are unable to complete a digital signature, you may print the application and either scan and email the signed form to permits@cdfa.ca.gov or fax it to 916-654-1018.

This application is for laboratories performing analytical testing of plant materials such as testing for pesticide residues or performing nutrient analyses. If you wish to perform diagnostic tests on plant material, application must be made on Form 66-026.

Note: An applicant signature is required. If you are unable to complete a digital signature, you may print the application and either scan and email the signed form to permits@cdfa.ca.gov or fax it to 916-654-1018.

USDA PPQ FORMS

The USDA applications listed below can be downloaded from USDA's Permits and Certification.

PPQ Form 526: Application for Permit to Move Live Plant Pests or Noxious Weeds

This permit application is for the importation of live plant pests from within the United States and from foreign countries. The applicant completes the application and submits it to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA notifies CDFA of the application and provides a copy for review. Upon completion of their review, California agricultural officials may make recommendations to USDA such as adding conditions to the permit. USDA then completes the application process. In rare instances, CDFA may recommend denial of the application.

PPQ Form 525A: Application for Permit to Receive Soil

This application is for the importation of soil from foreign countries. All soil is prohibited entry into the United States unless under a permit. Individuals requesting a permit for soil importation will have their facilities inspected by both USDA and California agricultural officials, and must enter into a compliance agreement to ensure they properly handle and dispose of foreign soil. The method of processing this application is the same as for PPQ Form 526 above.

PPQ Form 546: Agreement for Postentry Quarantine — State Screening Notice

This permit is for the importation of restricted plant material from foreign countries. During its post-entry quarantine period (two years for most plants), the plant material is subject to inspection by California officials. Individuals requesting to import restricted plant materials will have their growing grounds inspected by county officials. The method of processing this application is the same as for PPQ Form 526 above.

PPQ Form 587: Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products

This permit is for the importation of admissible (not subject to post-entry) plant material from foreign sources. The application is submitted to USDA and not subject to review by CDFA.

PPQ Form 588: Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products for Experimental Purposes

This application is for the importation of plant material from foreign countries which would otherwise be prohibited entry into the United States. The plant materials are permitted entry only under strict conditions. The method of processing this application is the same as for PPQ Form 526 above.