Mushroom foraging laws in California

Summary

In California State Park units, gathering mushrooms is allowed only in units that authorize it, for personal use only, up to five pounds a day. State forests ban removing 'forest products' without written consent, but the rule does not say whether that covers mushrooms. California's retail food code has no mushroom-specific section, so check with the local health department before selling.

Public land

State Park System: 14 CCR 4306 generally bars removing plant material, with an exception for units where gathering mushrooms is authorized (authorization is posted at the unit). State forests: 14 CCR 1415 says no one may remove firewood or other forest products without the State Forest Manager's written consent. It does not define 'forest products' or name mushrooms, so how it applies is unclear. I found no state rule on other state lands. Federal lands follow their own rules.

Permits

14 CCR 4306 does not set up a permit for mushrooms; gathering depends on whether the park unit authorizes it. For state forests, written consent from the State Forest Manager is required to remove forest products, and whether that includes mushrooms is unclear. Ask the park or forest.

Limits

State Park System units where gathering is authorized: no more than five pounds per person per day (14 CCR 4306).

Selling

Collecting allowed in state parks is for personal use only, not commercial purposes (14 CCR 4306).

Morel sales

The California Retail Food Code has no section naming wild mushrooms in the text I searched. Its general rule is that food must come from sources that comply with all applicable laws (Health and Safety Code 114021(a)). Local environmental health departments decide how this applies to wild mushrooms, so ask yours.

Sources

• 14 CCR 4306 Plants and Driftwood (State Parks) - Cornell LII
• 14 CCR 1415 Firewood (State Forests) - Cornell LII
• California Retail Food Code, Jan 2025 text (hosted by Alameda County Environmental Health)

Last verified: November 11, 2026