Using a county's seal, logo, insignia or other identifier in a way that implies affiliation now requires approval, county office identifiers require the elected official's approval, satire and parody are protected, and sheriffs gain the exclusive right to name and dissolve posses.
Official title: county seal; authority; sheriff's posse
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeApproval from the board of supervisors was needed to use a likeness of the county seal, and no one other than a county department could use the seal to advertise or promote merchandise or other commercial purposes.
NowThe same approval and commercial-use limits also cover the county's logo, insignia or another visual or textual identifier, whether identical or substantially similar, that implies affiliation with the county.
-
NowUsing a logo, insignia or other identifier of a county office in a way that implies affiliation with that office requires approval from the elected official in control of that office, who may grant a certificate for good cause and a proper purpose. No one other than a county department may use a county elected office's identifier for commercial promotion.
-
NowThe rules on county and county office seals, logos and insignia do not limit anyone's ability to use them for satire or parody.
BeforeA county with a website had to post its adopted seal and the seal-use rule.
NowThe county must post its adopted seal, logo or insignia along with the rule. Violators still get a cease and desist order from the board of supervisors, and ignoring it is a class 3 misdemeanor.
-
NowThe sheriff has the exclusive right to name any posse associated with the sheriff's office and to dissolve any posse operating under the sheriff's jurisdiction.
Who it affects
- People and businesses that use county seals, logos or insignia or county office identifiers
- Members of sheriff's volunteer posses
- County elected officials
- County boards of supervisors
- County sheriffs
What you need to do
Anyone who wants to use a county or county office logo, insignia or similar identifier in a way that implies affiliation must get approval first from the board of supervisors (county) or the elected official in charge (county office). Satire and parody are excepted.
What the law doesn't answer
- What counts as a 'proper purpose' or 'good cause' for approval
- Whether existing posses that use names not approved by the sheriff must change their names
- What happens to a posse's members or property when a sheriff dissolves it
- Whether county office violations are enforced by the board of supervisors or the elected official
- How 'satire or parody' is defined
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.