Public Resources Code section 72401

The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:

(a)

To protect and enhance the quality of the marine waters of the state all of the following should be prohibited:

(1)

The release of graywater or sewage by a large passenger vessel into the marine waters of the state or a marine sanctuary.

(2)

The release of hazardous waste, other waste, sewage sludge, or oily bilgewater by a large passenger vessel or oceangoing ship into the marine waters of the state or a marine sanctuary.

(3)

The release of graywater or sewage by an oceangoing ship into the marine waters of the state or a marine sanctuary.

(b)

In response to an application from the State of California pursuant to this division, beginning March 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency prohibited the discharge of all sewage from large passenger vessels and large oceangoing ships, and created a No Discharge Zone along California’s 1,624-mile coastline from Mexico to Oregon and surrounding islands, the largest No Discharge Zone in the nation.

Source: Section 72401, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PRC§ionNum=72401.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2013; accessed Jun. 18, 2026).

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Verified:
Jun. 18, 2026

§ 72401's source at ca​.gov