Bill Gillette, Sealer/Director    /  Guy Tingos, Deputy Commissioner   

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The Weights and Measures Division strives to "level the playing field" when weights and measures are involved in commercial transactions. As a consumer, you should feel assured that you're getting what you pay for with regard to a product's weight, volume, count, duration or advertised price.

Commercial weighing and measuring devices, package content statements and advertised prices are regularly inspected to ensure their accuracy. Consumers may make complaints of inaccuracy or fraud for investigation.

Weights & Measures Service Fees 

Click here for a list of Public Scales 

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Device Registration & Inspection - Any device used to weigh or measure products or services for direct sale must be an approved type and annually registered with the Sealer of Weights and Measures. This includes gasoline pumps, gas and electric submeters, grocery and deli counter scales, taxi meters, water vending machines, truck scales, and yardage meters, among others.

Registration fees help fund the inspection of commercial weighing and measuring devices throughout Santa Barbara County. Devices are affixed with the Division's seal, upon demonstration of compliance with accuracy tolerances and device type standards. Devices that favor the device owner are immediately taken off-sale. Device owners benefit when advised that a device favors the customer.

Quantity Control - Test purchases of packaged products are regularly conducted to verify, using statistical methods, the accuracy of the products' weight, count or other measurement statements, and for proper labeling. Price verification is also performed on sale items, advertised prices and register scanner accuracy.

Weighmaster - Weighmasters are persons, licensed by the Division of Measurement Standards, who certify the weighed, measured, or counted quantity of any commodity. Specific criteria must be followed when issuing weighmaster certificates. Weighmasters are regularly inspected to ensure the accuracy of their certifications.

Device Repairman - Persons that sell, rent, install, service or repair commercial weighing and measuring devices are required to be licensed with the Division of Measurement Standards. Device repairmen are required to notify the Sealer of the installation or repair of any commercial weighing and measuring device. County Weights and Measures inspectors may validate the accuracy of their repairs.

Petroleum Products - Samples of gasoline and other petroleum products are tested for compliance with quality and octane standards.

Staff - The following staff may be contacted regarding the regulatory requirements for commercial weighing and measuring devices in Santa Barbara County.