Why this matters: In the confusion of a state disaster, clear information is necessary to protect those without a safe place to go. New protections and transparency exist for Californians whose residences are destroyed or made uninhabitable by disaster when they must take up short-term lodging longer than 30 consecutive days.
Checking in for the month, or longer?
People expect a hotel to suffice for a vacation, but what if you weren’t staying for a weekend but for months at a time?
When disaster strikes people need a safe place to stay.
Assembly Bill 299 sets protections for people in short-term lodging displaced by a disaster. The main provision sets that after 30 days, a guest must receive 72-hour notice before being asked to leave. [CC §1954.071(e)(1)]
The establishment must inform the guest a new tenancy is not created until they have stayed for 270 consecutive days but are not entitled to further extend their reservation. [CC §1954.071(b)]
These new additions to the law do not apply to a guest at a lodging for reasons other than a disaster affecting their prior housing’s habitability. [CC §1954.071(f)]
Places where disaster lodging applies includes short-term housing such as a:
- motel;
- hotel; or
- property which is either:
- licensed or registered for short-term lodging of 30 days or less since the date the disaster was declared; or
- without registration or license for short-term lodging but meets the definition in the California business and professions code. [CC §1954.071(a)(2); BPC §17568.8]
The 72-hour notice before ending a guest’s stay, is not required when the guest:
- fails to pay room charges, fees, expenses, and other amounts when due;
- interferes with other guests’ quiet enjoyment of the lodging;
- is reasonably believed to have damaged or will damage the lodging and other property; or
- is reasonably suspected to pose harm to other guests, employees, or others lawfully on the property. [CC §1954.071(e)(2)]
As a follow on from the devastating 2025 wildfires, these provisions remain effective until January 2031, when they automatically repeal. [CC §1954.071(g)]
Related article:
On notice about the notice
When the stay begins for a reservation indicated to last longer than 30 consecutive days, the establishment provides a notice informing the guest of these new regulations. [CC §1954.071(c)]
The form, delivered in a physical or electronic format, includes language set by the bill to be substantially followed in at least 12-point type. [CC §1954.071(c)]
After providing the notice, the guest is asked to check one of the following statements after reading, acknowledging the information and confirming either:
- they are staying there since their home became uninhabitable after a disaster; or
- this does not apply to their stay. [CC §1954.071(d)]
When the guest refuses to select one of the options, the establishment may determine whether the disaster lodging rules apply to the guest’s stay using reasonable information. Additionally, the establishment may decide to limit the duration of the guest’s stay or refuse to provide accommodation entirely. [CC §§1954.071(d)(2); (d)(3)]]
Related article:
Mortgage forbearance for homeowners affected by 2025 wildfires
Related form:
Guest Occupancy Agreement — For Transient Occupancy Properties — RPI Form 593
