Counties reminding all it is illegal to price gouge during a State of Emergency

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With many homeowners around Lake Tahoe in need of snow removal from roofs during the rain-on-snow event, quotes for services have been seen from what many feel are reasonable, to what many believe are unreasonable. The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office joined Placer County today in reminding the public it is illegal to price gouge during a state of emergency.

"Price gouging for snow removal and other goods and services is illegal and we will hold you accountable," said DA Vern Pierson of the practice during the state of emergency.

Placer County said a homeowner at Lake Tahoe there received a quote of $20,000 to remove snow from their roof. County officials are advising residents to be wary of people illegally price gouging during the storm emergency. They said to contact the attorney general's Office online or call 800-952-5225.

In El Dorado County, contact the sheriff's office non-emergency line at 530-621-6600

Penal Code 396(b) says, in part, “Upon the proclamation of a state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or the Governor ... for a period of 30 days following that proclamation or declaration, it is unlawful for a person, contractor, business, or other entity to sell or offer to sell any consumer food items or goods, goods or services used for emergency cleanup, emergency supplies, medical supplies, home heating oil, building materials, housing, transportation, freight, and storage services, or gasoline or other motor fuels for a price of more than 10 percent greater than the price charged by that person for those goods or services immediately prior to the proclamation or declaration of emergency, or prior to a date set in the proclamation or declaration.