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The State of Emergency and associated price gouging protections currently in effect in Los Angeles County will expire on May 28, 2026.
The State of Emergency was originally declared by Governor Gavin Newsom in January 2025 following the devastating Palisades and Altadena wildfires. While the State of California allowed its emergency declaration to lapse in January 2026, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (the “Board”) elected to continue the local emergency order. Under California law, the Board was permitted to extend the order only in 30-day increments and ultimately did so four separate times. At its May 19, 2026 meeting, the vote to extend the SOE was not passed. As a result, both the State of Emergency and the related price gouging restrictions will officially expire on that date.
Following the Board's decision to continue the emergency declaration after the state order expired, CSSA partnered with national Self Storage Association and engaged county officials directly to provide clarity on actual market conditions affecting self-storage operators — including the absence of increased demand, declining pricing trends, and lower inflation-adjusted rental rates. CSSA and the SSA also highlighted the significant consumer benefits self storage provides during periods of life transition: no background checks, no deposits, flexible month-to-month rentals, and convenient move-in and move-out options. Throughout this process, both organizations underscored the importance of allowing the emergency order to sunset.
In addition, more than a dozen CSSA members with facilities in Los Angeles County participated directly by writing letters to their Chambers of Commerce and County Supervisors, contributing local expertise and support throughout the process.
"The end of this State of Emergency was truly a team effort," said Nathan McElmurry, CSSA Chair of the Board. "Our coordinated work with our trusted partners at the SSA, the engagement of our members throughout Los Angeles County and beyond, and the additional expertise provided by our local lobbyists all played an important role. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this unified and collaborative effort on behalf of the Self-Storage Industry."
With the expiration of the price gouging restrictions, CSSA encourages all members to remain mindful of their customers and to uphold fair and responsible pricing practices.
References:
- LA County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – May 19, 2026: View Here
- Official livestream of LA County Board of Supervisors – 5/19/26 (YouTube Archive) Discussion re: Eaton/Palisades fire recovery and emergency-related consumer protections (price restrictions) – approx.. 1:45min to 2:15 min: View Here
- Official notification has not yet been published – once it is, it will appear on the following website: View Here
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