What to do
If you have a device that weighs or measures quantities for customer transactions, you must register your device. Examples include scales and meters. Scales used for estimation (not a calculating a price) do not need to be registered.
1. Register your business
Make sure you register your business before you register your device. You'll need your business account number to register your device.
2. Fill out the form
If you have a point of sale station, you must register your equipment. A "point of sale station" is equipment that displays electronic price information used to charge consumers. Examples include barcode scanners and check out devices. Learn more about the required registration of point of sale devices. Learn more about device registration.
Download the appropriate form:
3. Submit the form
Email or mail the form to:
Department of Public Health
Environmental Health Branch49 S Van Ness, Ste 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
4. Pay the fee
The Treasurer & Tax Collector will send you a bill. Pay through their online portal. Learn more about the fees by reviewing the fee schedule.
5. Get inspected
We inspect devices every year. We do not schedule inspections. If you have a question about an inspection, call us:
Using a weight and measurement device
Make sure you:
- Use devices that are appropriate for the environment
- Position devices so that customers and operators can easily read the measure or price
- Maintain the device
- Keep the device leveled and at zero balance before a transaction
- Deduct the weight of the container or packaging (also known as “tare”) from the weight of the product before the transaction
- Get approval for the application software you use to capture and process the weight information
- Do not charge or calculate a price higher than what you advertised
Special cases
If your device will no longer be used
If your device will no longer be used
You must let us know if:
- Your device will no longer be used commercially
- You are selling it to a new owner
Fill out the device removal form and send it to us:
- Email to: SFWeightsAndMeasures@sfdph.org
- Mail to:
Environmental Health Branch
49 S Van Ness, Ste 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
There is no fee for removing a device. You will not get refunded for the remaining registration period.
If you are closing your business
If you are closing your business
Complete the close of business form and submit it to us:
- Email to: SFWeightsAndMeasures@sfdph.org
- Mail to:
Environmental Health Branch
49 S Van Ness, Ste 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
We will inspect your business before we approve the closure. You will also need to close your business with the Treasurer and Tax Collector. Learn more about what you need to do when closing your business.
Get help
Phone
Weights and measures program
Fax
Last updated April 16, 2024