California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 115875

(a) “Public beach” means any beach area used by the public for recreational purposes that is owned, operated, or controlled by the state, any state agency, any local agency, or any private person in this state, and is located in the coastal zone, as defined in Section 30103 of the Public Resources Code, or within the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, as set forth in Section 66610 of the Government Code.

(b) “Board” means the State Water Resources Control Board.

(c) “Department” means the State Department of Public Health.

(d) “Health officer” means the legally appointed local health officer or director of environmental health of the county or city having jurisdiction of the area in which a public saltwater beach is located.