In response to tropical storm Hillary, the Governor has declared that 12 California counties are under a state of emergency, with a related cap on rent increases.
Those counties are: Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Tulare and Ventura. The governor has also declared an additional emergency for Mono County.
Anti-Gouging Law Now in Effect
The anti-gouging law makes it illegal to increase the price of rental housing by more than 10% above pre-emergency levels. These rent increase limitations apply to existing tenants and to vacancies due to market unit turnover.
Expiration Date
The state of emergency and the anti-gouging protections for the 11 counties listed above are set to expire on Sept. 18, 2023, and the additional state of emergency for Mono County will expire on Sept. 19, 2023.
Please note that both of these deadlines could be extended.
Penalties for Violations!
Anyone convicted of violating the statewide anti-price-gouging law may face:
- a year in county jail,
- a fine of up to $10,000, or both
- civil penalties
- and local ordinances may impose additional penalties.
For possible, additional, local declarations of emergencies, check with the authorities in your jurisdiction.