Governor Declares State of Emergency in Orange County; Anti-Price Gouging Provisions in Effect

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Orange County in response to the hazardous chemical incident presently evolving at an aerospace facility in Garden Grove which has resulted in evacuation orders for nearly 50,000 residents as of Saturday, May 23, 2026.

The Apartment Association of Orange County (AAOC) is monitoring the situation as it relates to the current evacuation - and potential longer-term displacement and rehousing needs - of residents in the evacuation area and the projected blast zone identified by the Orange County Fire Authority.

Is Your Rental Property Impacted?
If you own or operate rental property in the evacuation area or the identified blast zone, please notify AAOC immediately via email.

Anti-Price Gouging Laws in Effect

Additionally, AAOC is reminding rental housing providers and industry product and service providers that the state of emergency has triggered anti-price gouging provisions in California Penal Code Section 396:

• 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. - Pen. Code § 396 (b)
  
  
• ​​Any repair or reconstruction services or any services used in emergency cleanup - Pen. Code § 396 (c)
  
  
• Hotel or motel - Pen. Code § 396 (d)
  
  
• ​​Any rental housing with an initial lease term of no longer than one year, including, but not limited to, a space rented in a mobilehome park or campground - Pen. Code § 396 (e) & (f)

More Information

• Press Release from Governor's Office
• State of Emergency Proclamation
• Price Gouging Information from California Office of Emergency Services

AAOC will provide more information as it becomes available, via email, social media, and www.AAOC.com.