Baja California Sur’s civil protection subsecretariat can now issue fines for safety violations after the governor signed the state’s first civil protection regulation, ending years of toothless enforcement. Héctor Amparano Herrera, the state’s civil protection chief, announced that BCS had operated without a formal regulation, which meant authorities could identify violations but had no legal mechanism to penalize them.
Fines Measured in UMAs Could Exceed $6,000 USD
The new regulation ties penalties to Mexico’s UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización), a standardized unit used to calculate fines and fees nationwide. In 2025, one UMA equals approximately 113.14 pesos ($6.30 USD) per day. Amparano Herrera said fines can exceed 100 UMAs, meaning penalties could top 11,314 pesos ($630 USD) per violation, though the structure allows for higher amounts depending on severity.
Before this regulation, the subsecretariat operated under the state’s civil protection law, which outlined responsibilities and definitions but lacked the implementing rules needed to enforce compliance. The distinction matters: Mexican law often requires a separate reglamento (regulation) to activate the fine schedules and administrative procedures that give a law its teeth.
Chametla Construction Companies Already Sanctioned
Enforcement has already begun. Amparano Herrera confirmed that his office sanctioned construction companies working on the Chametla development project, located south of La Paz along the road toward San José del Cabo. The companies failed to meet road safety requirements during construction, creating hazards for drivers on the busy corridor.
Chametla sits roughly 10 kilometers south of central La Paz and has seen rapid development in recent years, with new residential and commercial projects transforming the area. The road connecting La Paz to Los Cabos passes through the zone, so construction disruptions there affect a high volume of daily traffic.
The regulation covers a broad range of activities, including construction projects, public events, and commercial operations that require civil protection permits. Businesses and developers must now comply with safety protocols or face financial penalties, a change from the previous system where inspectors could only issue warnings.
Amparano Herrera’s subsecretariat falls under the BCS state government’s general secretariat, based in La Paz. The office is responsible for hurricane preparedness, earthquake response, and oversight of safety standards at construction sites and public venues across the state’s five municipalities. The new regulation gives the office its first real enforcement tool since it was established, according to BCS Noticias.