Tulare County Municipal Code Art. 4 Harvesting Containers for Citrus Fruit

The term "citrus harvesting containers," as used in this Article, refers to the boxes, bins or any other types of containers used to transport harvested citrus fruit from a citrus grove to a citrus packing house in the County.

(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09; amended by Ord. No. 3490, effective 2-25-16)

This Article is adopted to prevent the spread of citrus pests including, but not limited to, California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) from a grove which may be infested, to other groves within the County which are not known to be infested, by means of citrus harvesting containers.

(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)

It shall be unlawful for a citrus packinghouse to release, or cause or allow the release of, any citrus harvesting container until the container has been emptied of debris and one of the following procedures has been complied with:

(a) The empty container has been held in storage for a period of at least twenty-four (24) hours.

(b) The container has been processed through a sterilizer approved by the Agricultural Commissioner.

(c) Any alternative method for processing such containers, which the Agricultural Commissioner approves.

(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09; amended by Ord. No. 3490, effective 2-25-16)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this Article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as provided in section 125 of this Ordinance Code.

(Added by Ord. No. 3390, effective 8-20-09)