Editorial News Alert: L.A. County Passes Storm Emergency Declaration Extension
Editorial News Alert:
L.A. County Passes Storm Emergency Declaration Extension
By Janet M. Gagnon
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & SVP Government Relations
On December 9th, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a further extension of the storm emergency declaration authored by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. The ordinance continues the existing county ordinance for anti-price gouging restrictions during a declared emergency and is now effective through and including January 28, 2026.
AAGLA strongly opposed the motion arguing that it was irrational, unjust, unsubstantiated, and unnecessary given the existing emergency declaration from Supervisor Barger that passed on November 25th and currently has no end date.
Given the frequency of declared emergencies and the ever-expanding definition of what constitutes an emergency, it appears that the Supervisors are now seeking to do an end-run around state law that prohibits rent stabilization on newer multifamily properties built within the last 15 years as well as all single-family properties. By frequently declaring and extending these so-called “emergencies”, the Supervisors are using the anti-price gouging ordinance as a de facto rent stabilization ordinance.
Supervisor Horvath’s motion once again claims that there have been violations of anti-price gouging restrictions during other declared emergencies without any supporting data from the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) or other county agency. She has now had 2 weeks between her original motion and this extension to seek verifiable data to either support or disprove her claims of price gouging yet has failed to obtain such data. Further, it is completely irrational to think that someone that has not obeyed the existing restrictions will somehow suddenly start obeying them under an extended emergency declaration.
Please be aware that no rental housing provider of any kind (multifamily, single-family, condominium, townhouses, or accessory dwelling units) countywide is allowed to raise rents in existing rental housing for new or existing renters by more than 10% for the duration of the emergency that has now been extended through January 28, 2026. There are some narrow exceptions, however, and we strongly encourage owners to speak to legal counsel as to their specific situation.
This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions regarding your property or specific leasing issues and the requirements of any legal changes described herein, please consult with an attorney.