Proposed Gate Regulations Raise Cost and Feasibility Concerns

In late January, a gate advisory group to the Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board released another draft of proposed regulations that will impact all county-owned horizontal sliding and swinging gates. While intended to improve safety, although this draft has some changes, CSAC remains concerned that these regulations will create serious feasibility, practical, and financial challenges for counties.    

Counties operate gates at public facilities, parks, service yards, utilities, and other sites. Many of these gates are low-risk and simply restrict access, yet the regulations are written so broadly they would require expensive modifications regardless of actual safety concerns. This one-size-fits-all approach could impose significant costs on county departments—particularly those funded by rates and permit fees, which may have to raise charges to cover compliance.  

Given these impacts, CSAC strongly encourages county staff to review the proposed regulations and assess how they may affect operations. The proposed and current regulations are available at the links below.  Please share comments or concerns with Mark Neuburger, Legislative Advocate for Housing, Land Use & Transportation at mneuburger@counties.org. 

Current Gate Regulations: CA Code of Regulations Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Group 2, Article 7 Section 3324   

NEW Proposed Regulations: January 2026 post-discussion draft