Chapter 5.13
RATE SIGNS FOR OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS

Sections:

5.13.010    Application of chapter.

5.13.020    Outdoor sign.

5.13.030    Room rates.

5.13.040    Operator – Owner.

5.13.050    Posting rate signs.

5.13.060    Posting list of rental units.

5.13.070    False or misleading representations.

5.13.080    Construction of chapter.

5.13.090    Rate signs for overnight accommodations – Offense – Punishment.

5.13.010 APPLICATION OF CHAPTER.

This chapter shall apply to operators and owners of motels, hotels, motor courts, trailer parks, camps, and any other establishment wherein overnight accommodations are offered for hire or wherein living accommodations for longer periods of time are offered for hire.

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.020 OUTDOOR SIGN.

“Outdoor sign,” as used in this chapter, means any sign visible to passersby whether the same is located within or without buildings.

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.030 ROOM RATES.

“Room rates,” as used in this chapter, means the rates at which rooms or other overnight or living accommodations are rented to occupants.

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.040 OPERATOR – OWNER.

“Operator,” as used in this chapter, includes a manager or any person in charge of the operation of any establishment which is subject to the provisions of this chapter. “Operator” or “owner” includes natural persons, firms and corporations.

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.050 POSTING RATE SIGNS.

It is unlawful for any owner or operator of any establishment subject to this chapter, located within the city of Santa Cruz, to post or maintain posted on any outdoor sign pertaining to such establishment any rate for accommodations in such establishment unless the sign has posted thereon the following information:

(1)    The rates charged for all rooms or other rental units or accommodations offered for rental;

(2)    The number of rooms or other rental units offered for rental at each rate; and

(3)    The number of persons accommodated at the rate posted.

All posted rates and descriptive data required by this chapter shall be in type and material of the same size and prominence as the aforesaid information. This section shall not be held to be complied with by signs stating the rate per person or bearing the legend “and up.”

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.060 POSTING LIST OF RENTAL UNITS.

It is unlawful for any owner or operator of any establishment subject to this chapter to post or maintain posted on any outdoor signs rates for accommodations in any such establishment unless there is 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.

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.070 FALSE OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATIONS.

It is unlawful for any owner or operator of any establishment subject to this chapter to post or maintain outdoor signs in connection with any such establishment relating to rates which have thereon any untrue, misleading, false or fraudulent representations.

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.080 CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed so as to require establishments subject to this chapter to have outdoor signs. This chapter, however, shall be liberally construed so as to prevent untrue, misleading, false or fraudulent misrepresentations relating to rates being placed upon outdoor signs pertaining to such establishments.

(Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).

5.13.090 RATE SIGNS FOR OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS – OFFENSE – PUNISHMENT.

Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the penalties provided in Title 4.

(Ord. 2021-18 § 7, 2021; Ord. 76-2 § 20, 1976: Ord. 75-30 § 1 (part), 1975).