“Outdoor sign” or “outside sign” as used in this article means any sign visible to passers-by whether the same shall be located within or without buildings.
AdvertisingMotel and Motor Court Rate Signs
Section § 17560
This law defines an 'outdoor sign' or 'outside sign' as any sign that people walking by can see. It doesn't matter if the sign is inside or outside a building.
outdoor sign outside sign sign visibility
Section § 17561
This law section explains that 'room rates' refer to the prices charged for renting rooms or similar accommodations to guests.
“Room rates” as used in this article means the rates at which rooms or other accommodations are rented to occupants.
room rates rental prices accommodation charges
Section § 17562
This law section defines who is considered an 'operator' or 'owner' when it comes to running motels and similar places. It says that an operator can be anyone who manages or is responsible for the operations, and both individuals and companies can be considered operators or owners.
“Operator” as used in this article includes a manager or any person in charge of the operation of motels and like establishments. “Operator” or “owner” includes natural persons, firms and corporations.
operator definition motel management establishment operations
Section § 17563
This law applies to people who own or run motels, motor courts, and similar types of businesses. It sets rules that these establishments must follow.
This article shall apply to operators and owners of motels, motor courts, and like establishments, and to such establishments.
motel operators motor courts establishments
Section § 17564
If you own or run a business in California that advertises room rates on signs outside, you must clearly display all the different prices for the rooms or accommodations, along with how many rooms there are at each rate and how many people each rate covers. The information must be easy to read and the same size as any other info on the sign. You can't just say 'rates per person' or 'starting at.'
It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of any establishment within the scope of this article, located within the State of California, to post or maintain posted on any outdoor or outside advertising sign pertaining to such establishment, any rates for accommodations in such establishment unless the sign shall have posted thereon the rates charged for all rooms, or other rental units or accommodations offered for rental, the number of rooms or other rental units offered for rental at each rate, and the number of persons accommodated at the rate posted. All posted rates and descriptive data required by this article shall be in type and material of the same size and
prominence as the aforesaid data. This section shall not be held to be complied with by signs stating the rate per person or bearing the legend “and up.”
accommodation rates advertising signs room rates
Section § 17565
This law makes it illegal for places like hotels to advertise their room rates on outdoor signs unless they also display a clear list of all available rooms and prices for one or two people, plus any additional charges for more guests, in the area where guests check in.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of any establishment within the scope of this article to post or maintain posted on outdoor or outside advertising signs rates for accommodations in any such establishment unless there shall be posted prominently and conspicuously in the area where guests are normally registered, a list of all rooms or other rental units offered for rental by such establishment, and the rates charged for each room when occupied by one person or two persons, and the rate charged for each additional occupant.
hotel advertising room rates accommodation pricing
Section § 17566
It's illegal for owners or operators of certain businesses to put up outdoor signs that make false or misleading claims about their prices.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator of any establishment within the scope of this article to post or maintain outdoor or outside advertising signs in connection with any such establishment relating to rates which shall have thereon any untrue, misleading, false, or fraudulent representations.
outdoor advertising false advertising misleading claims
Section § 17567
This law states that businesses don't have to put up outdoor signs, but if they choose to, they must ensure these signs don't include false or misleading information about their prices.
Nothing contained in this article shall be construed so as to require establishments within the scope of this article to have outdoor or outside signs. This article, however, shall be liberally construed so as to prevent untrue, misleading, false, or fraudulent representations relating to rates being placed upon outdoor or outside signs pertaining to such establishments.
outdoor signs outside signs business establishments
Section § 17567.5
Cities and counties in California can make their own rules that are as strict or stricter than the state rules mentioned in this section, as long as they are acting within their police power, which is the authority to regulate for public health and safety.
The governing body of any city, county, or city and county may, pursuant to reasonable exercise of the police power, enact ordinances imposing regulations equal to or greater than those imposed by this article.
local ordinances police power public health regulation
Section § 17568
If someone breaks the rules in this article, they're committing a misdemeanor. If caught and proven guilty, they could face a fine ranging from $200 to $1,000, could go to jail for 10 days to six months, or might have to pay the fine and serve jail time.
Any person violating the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment of not less than 10 days nor more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
misdemeanor penalty article violation punishment
