(A) During a local emergency, state of emergency or state of war emergency, no individual shall:
(1) Willfully obstruct, hinder or delay any member of the emergency organization in the enforcement of any rule, regulation, order or directive issued pursuant to this chapter, or in the performance of any duty imposed on him/her by virtue of this chapter.
(2) Do any act forbidden by any rule, regulation, order or directive issued pursuant to this chapter, including violation of any curfew so established. However, an affirmative defense to violation of such a curfew shall be that the person charged was traveling to or from work or school, was un-housed, or was seeking medical treatment.
(3) Wear, carry or display any emblem, insignia or other means of identification as a member of the emergency organization of the city, the county, or the State, unless authority to do so has been granted to such person by the proper official.
(B) Goods and services. Upon the declaration of an emergency, and for a period of 30 days following that declaration, it is unlawful for a person to sell or offer to sell 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 for a price of more than 10% above the price charged by that person for those goods or services immediately prior to the declaration, unless that person can prove that the increase in price is directly attributable to additional costs imposed upon it by the supplier of the goods, or directly attributable to additional costs for labor or materials used to provide the services.
(C) Hotels, motels and other short-term rentals. Upon the declaration of an emergency, and for a period of 30 days following that declaration, it is unlawful for any person to rent or lease a hotel or motel room, or other short-term rental unit, including a vacation rental unit, in the city for more than 10% above the hotel, motel or other short-term rental’s regular rates, as advertised immediately prior to declaration of emergency, unless that person can prove that the increase in price is directly attributable to additional costs imposed on it for goods or labor used in the businesses, to seasonal adjustments that are regularly scheduled, or to previously contracted rates.
(D) Construction goods and services. Upon the declaration of an emergency, and for a period of 180 days following that declaration, it is unlawful for a contractor to sell or offer to sell any repair or reconstruction services, or any services used in emergency cleanup for a price of more than 10% above the price charged by that person for those services immediately prior to the proclamation or declaration of emergency, unless that person can prove that the increase in price was directly attributable to additional costs imposed on it by the supplier of the goods, or directly attributable to additional costs for labor or materials used to provide the services.
(E) The provisions of this section may be extended for additional 30-day period by the city council if deemed necessary to protect the lives, property, or welfare of its citizens.
(`64 Code, Sec. 10-8) (Ord. No. 2429, 2916, 2942, 3031)