City officials issued a reminder about price gouging prohibitions after both California’s Governor and the City’s leadership declared states of emergency amid widespread fires and windstorms.
City Manager Miguel Márquez’s emergency proclamation, which came alongside a similar declaration from Governor Newsom, triggered strict protections against price increases exceeding pre-emergency rates by 10 percent.
The emergency measure specifically prohibits hotels and motels from raising their standard rates beyond the 10 percent threshold compared to prices charged before the emergency declaration.
Landlords face similar restrictions, which bar them from increasing residential rents by more than 10 percent or evicting tenants to charge higher rates, while existing rent control protections remain in effect.
The Pasadena City Prosecutor’s Office warned violators could face up to one year in County jail and fines reaching $10,000, plus civil penalties including $2,500 per violation and mandatory restitution.
Under the protective measures, which supplement Pasadena’s standing rent control provisions on price stabilization and eviction protections, authorities can also seek injunctive relief against violators.
City officials urged residents who suspect price gouging violations to report incidents to local law enforcement, as authorities pledged to maintain enforcement of both emergency pricing rules and existing protections.