County Government Departments/Offices

The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) is available by phone, online, and in person at select locations.

Consumers can speak with a DCBA counselor for free, one-on-one service by calling the telephone hotline at (800) 593-8222. There is also a new DCBA Online Appointment System which will allow consumers and businesses to make an appointment to speak with a DCBA counselor at their preferred time during the hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Consumers can also visit the DCBA website at https://dcba.lacounty.gov/

The agency provides Coronavirus related services for price gouging assistance and wage theft.

PRICE GOUGING INFORMATION

Price gouging is the act of a business raising prices of needed products and services over 10% during a declared emergency. Price gouging is prohibited and is governed by Penal Code 396 and the Los Angeles County Price Gouging Ordinance.

For 30 days following the declaration of emergency, it is illegal for a person, contractor, or business to sell or offer to sell any food items or goods or service for a price of more than 10 % above the price charged by that person or business immediately before the declaration of emergency was issued.

Typically, this statute applies for 30 days after an emergency declaration. However, the statute applies for 180 days for reconstruction services and emergency cleanup services. State and local municipalities may extend the effective period of the statute beyond these timeframes.

For more information about price gouging, please visit: https://stoppricegouging.dcba.lacounty.gov/

WHO IS SUBJECT TO THE STATUTE?

Individuals, businesses, and other entities must comply with the statute.

WHAT GOODS AND SERVICES DOES THE ANTI-PRICE GOUGING STATUTE COVER?

-Lodging (rental housing, hotels and motels)

-Food and drink (including for animals)

-Emergency supplies (water, flashlights, batteries, candles, blankets, soap, diapers, temporary shelters, tape, toiletries, plywood, nails and hammers, medical supplies

-Other goods and services (home heating, oil, building materials, construction tools, transportation, freight, storage services, gasoline and other motor fuels, repair and reconstruction services.

WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK A BUSINESS IS PRICE GOUGING?

Contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs:

Telephone - (800) 593-8222
Online - https://iddweb.isd.lacounty.gov/dca_ecomplaint/