Winter storm-related states of emergency, along with caps on rent increases, expired on May 20 in Contra Costa, Riverside, San Diego and Yolo counties, leaving Solano as the only county with a governor-declared emergency still in effect.

The emergency in Solano County was proclaimed by Gov. Newsom on May 15to support ongoing recovery efforts there related to the impacts of the winter storms.

The emergency proclamation and related price-gouging restrictions from Penal Code section 396 in Solano County is slated to expire June 16, 2023, but could be extended.

The emergency proclamation automatically triggered Penal Code Section 396, the state’s anti-price-gouging statute. This law makes it illegal to increase the price of many consumer goods and services, including that of rental housing, by more than 10% above pre-emergency levels. The limits on rent increases applied to existing tenants and to rent increases at unit turnover.

Anyone convicted of violating the statewide anti-price-gouging law can face a year in county jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, as well as civil penalties. Local ordinances may impose additional penalties.

As a reminder, CAA does not currently track emergency declarations issued by local officials.  Declarations of local emergencies issued by cities and counties also trigger the price-gouging limitations of Penal Code 396.  For local declarations of emergency, it is best to check with the applicable local authorities.