L.A. County Declares Ongoing Emergency Following December Storm

January 21, 2026 0 Comment Category: Estate Law

On December 31, 2025, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a new emergency declaration in response to the severe winter storm that impacted the region in late December.

The declaration immediately extended the County’s ongoing emergency status and continued enforcement of anti-price gouging protections across all rental housing types, including single-family homes, condominiums, ADUs, and multifamily properties.

What This Means for Property Owners

Under the extended emergency declaration, rent increases exceeding 10% are prohibited countywide for the duration of the emergency. This restriction applies to both new and existing tenancies.

Property owners should note that this declaration is not isolated. It follows a series of overlapping emergency declarations that have remained continuously in effect since early 2025.

Ongoing Emergency Declarations

Since January 2025, Los Angeles County has issued multiple emergency declarations, including those related to:

Wildfire events
Severe storm activity in November and December
Immigration enforcement-related emergencies

There has been no lapse in emergency status since November 21, 2025. As a result, housing providers in Los Angeles County have been subject to rent-increase limitations for over one year due to overlapping emergency conditions.

The Legal Distinction: County vs. State Anti-Gouging Laws

In addition to the County’s declaration, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state-level emergency declaration related to the December storm.

While both declarations impose rent-increase restrictions, the County ordinance carries significantly higher penalties. Violations under County law may result in fines of up to $50,000 per violation, compared to a $10,000 maximum penalty under state law.

This distinction underscores the importance of careful compliance, particularly for landlords and property managers operating multiple properties within Los Angeles County.

What Landlords Should Do Now

Review current rent levels to ensure compliance with County anti-price gouging limits.
Refrain from implementing rent increases exceeding 10% during the emergency period.
Monitor ongoing County and State emergency declarations for updates or changes.
Seek legal guidance if managing multiple properties or uncertain about compliance obligations.

DECEMBER STORM DECLARATION
View declaration here

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