California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 4 - Division of Boating and Waterways
Chapter 1 - Division of Boating and Waterways
Article 6 - Waterway Marking System
Section 7002 - Waterway Markers Used on the Waters of this State Shall be as Follows

(1) A red buoy or sign shall indicate that side of a channel to be kept to the right of a vessel when entering the channel from the main water body or when proceeding upstream; a green buoy or sign shall indicate that side of a channel to be kept to the left of a vessel when entering the channel from the main water body or when proceeding upstream. These buoys or signs shall normally be used in pairs and only for the purpose of marking a clearly defined channel.

(2) A red and white vertically striped buoy or sign shall indicate the center of a navigable waterway.

(3) A red and green horizontally striped buoy or sign shall indicate a junction in the channel, or a wreck or obstruction which may be passed on either side. If the top band is red, the preferred channel is to the left when proceeding upstream or leaving the main water body. If the top band is green the preferred channel is to the right when proceeding upstream or leaving the main water body.

(4) White buoys shall indicate anchorage areas.

(5) The shapes of state aids to navigation shall be compatible with the shapes established by Coast Guard regulations for the equivalent Coast Guard aids to navigation.

(6) When lights are placed on buoys as an aid to navigation, their characteristics shall be compatible with those designated by Federal Regulations for federal aids to navigation. Red lights for this purpose shall be used only on red buoys and green lights only on green buoys.

(1) A diamond shape of international orange with white center shall indicate danger. The nature of the danger may be indicated by words or well-known abbreviations in black letters inside the diamond shape, or above and/or below it on white background.

(2) A diamond shape of international orange with a cross of the same color within it against a white center without qualifying explanation shall indicate a zone from which all vessels are excluded.

(3) A circle of international orange with white center will indicate a control or restriction. The nature of the control or restriction shall be indicated by words, numerals, and/or well-known abbreviations in black letters inside the circle. Additional explanation may be given above and/or below it in black letters on white background.

(4) A rectangular shape of international orange with white center will indicate information, other than a danger, control or restriction, which may contribute to health, safety or well-being. The message will be presented within the rectangle in black letters.

(1) Numbers, letters or words on a state aid to navigation or regulatory marker shall be placed in a manner to enable them to be clearly visible to an approaching or passing vessel. They shall be block style, well proportioned and as large as the available space permits. Numbers and letters on red or black backgrounds shall be white; numbers and letters on white backgrounds shall be black.

(2) State aids to navigation shall be numbered or lettered for identification. Red buoys and signs marking channels shall be identified with even numbers, and green buoys and signs marking channels shall be identified with odd numbers, the numbers increasing from the main water body or proceeding upstream. Buoys and signs indicating the center of a waterway or a channel junction shall be identified by letters of the alphabet. All numbers and letters used to identify state aids to navigation shall be preceded by the letters "CF."