SECTIONS 17568.5 - California Statutes

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE

SECTION 17568.5

17568.5. Upon the proclamation of a state of emergency resulting
from an earthquake, flood, fire, riot, storm, or other natural
disaster declared by the President of the United States or the
Governor, or upon the declaration of a local emergency resulting from
an earthquake, flood, fire, riot, storm, or other natural disaster
by the executive officer of any county, city, or city and county, and
for a period of 30 days following that proclamation or declaration,
an owner or operator of a hotel or motel may not increase the hotel
or motel's regular rates, as advertised immediately prior to the
proclamation or declaration of emergency, by more than 10 percent.
This prohibition does not apply if the owner or operator can prove
that the increase in price is directly attributable to additional
costs imposed on it for goods or labor used in its business, to
seasonal adjustments in rates that are regularly scheduled, or to
previously contracted rates.