Agenda Item AGENDA STAFF REPORT ASR Control 26-000042
MEETING DATE:	02/10/26
to:	Orange County Clerk of the Board
legal entity taking action:	Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTING Agency/Department:	Supervisor Foley
Department contact person(s):	Anthony Nguyen (Vice Chair Foley) (714) 834-3550
	Nick Anas (Vice Chair Foley) (714) 834-3550

CATEGORY: Discussion

SUbject:

Approve Catalytic Converter Theft Ordinance

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1.	Read the title of the Ordinance.
2.	Order further reading of the Ordinance be waived.
3.	Consider the matter.
4.	Direct Ordinance be placed on agenda of the next regularly scheduled Board meeting for adoption.
5.	At the next regularly scheduled meeting, consider the matter, and adopt the Ordinance.

SUMMARY/BACKGROUND:

Approval of the Catalytic Converter Theft Ordinance will add sections to prohibit possession of any catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle, unless the possessor is a core recycler as defined in California Business and Professions Code Section 21610 or has valid documentation or other proof showing lawful possession.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, “There were 90 catalytic converter thefts in OCSD jurisdiction in 2025 and 152 in 2024.” These are thefts that occurred in OCSD jurisdiction only (13 contract cities and the unincorporated areas). The easily accessible location of catalytic converters on vehicles and the use of valuable precious metals, including rhodium, palladium and platinum, in catalytic converters makes these devices a prime target for thieves. It is within the County’s police powers to enact and enforce the provisions of this ordinance to curb the theft of catalytic converters in unincorporated County areas.

While there have been legislative attempts in Sacramento to crack down on catalytic converter thefts, these attempts have been unsuccessful in assuring that any possession of a single catalytic converter without proof of lawful possession is illegal irrespective of the number of catalytic converters possessed. Current state law under Penal Code Sections 487 and 594 and Vehicle Code Section 10852.5 make it illegal to purchase used catalytic converters from certain businesses and provide penalties for possession or defacement in some instances if the amount of damage exceeds a certain threshold amount, which is usually not reached with possession of one catalytic converter. Thus, local agencies in California, including the counties of Riverside and Ventura, and the cities of Lake Forest, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Dana Point, Westminster, San Juan Capistrano, and the City of Los Angeles, have adopted ordinances to assist local law enforcement in holding those who illegally possess catalytic converters accountable.

This ordinance establishes that it shall be unlawful for any person, other than a core recycler as defined in California Business and Professions Code Section 21610, to possess any catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle, unless the possessor has valid documentation or other proof to verify that they are in lawful possession of the catalytic converter. If adopted, each catalytic converter unlawfully possessed is a separate violation and shall be subject to all remedies and enforcement measures authorized, including enforcement as a misdemeanor and infraction.

ATTACHMENT(S):

Attachment A - Proposed Catalytic Converter Theft

Attachment B - California Business and Professions

Attachment C - Penal Code Sections 487 

Attachment D - Penal Code Sections 594 

Attachment E - Vehicle Code Section 10852.5   

COUNTY COUNSEL REVIEW:

Yes