Price Gouging Illegal In Santa Cruz County Amid Fires

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office reminds the public that it is illegal to price gouge — or raise prices of critical services and goods — by more than 10 percent during an emergency order, such as the one declared this week in response to statewide wildfires.

Any incidents of price gouging can be reported to the DA's Office at 831-454-2050, or completing this form and emailing it to cfep@santacruzcounty.us.

State law prohibits price gouging on items such as housing, food, medical supplies and emergency supplies. Anyone who violates this law is subject to a $10,000 fine and misdemeanor punishable by a year in county jail, according to a news release from the D.A.'s Office.

A 10 percent markup on such items is only permissible if the increase is directly related to an uptick in manufacturing, labor, material or other costs.