A cash register (Photo – orga-systems)
Last week, Governor Newsom and Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez each declared a State of Emergency in response to the windstorm and widespread fires that have impacted our community.
By News Desk
Price gouging during a State of Emergency is prohibited by law. The City of Pasadena is committed to safeguarding its residents and the public, and those who violate price gouging regulations will be prosecuted.
Under California State law, upon the proclamation of a State of Emergency, it is unlawful to increase the price of goods or services by more than 10 percent from the price charged before the state or local emergency declaration. Similarly, it is unlawful for an owner or operator of a hotel or motel to increase their regular rates by more than 10 percent. The law further prohibits anyone from increasing the rent of a tenant by more than 10 percent, or evicting any tenant of residential housing for purposes of offering another tenant a rental price greater than the evicted tenant could be charged. Pasadena’s Rent Control provisions regarding price stabilization and eviction protections also remain in effect.
The Pasadena City Prosecutor’s Office will prosecute violations of the price gouging law that occur within the City of Pasadena, and penalties can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of price gouging in Pasadena, report it to local law enforcement immediately.
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