(a) Upon the proclamation of a state of emergency by the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of Ohio, or upon the declaration of a local emergency by the Executive of the County of Summit, or by the executive officer of any city within the County of Summit, and continuing for the existence of the state of emergency or for thirty (30) days following the declaration, whichever period is longer, it is unlawful for any person to charge any other person a price for any consumer food item; repair or reconstruction services; emergency supplies; medical supplies; building materials; gasoline; transportation, freight, and storage services; or housing, that is more than ten percent (10%) above the price charged by that person for those goods or services ten (10) days immediately prior to the declaration of emergency.
(b) An otherwise grossly excessive price increase shall not be unlawful if the person charging such higher prices establishes by prima facie evidence that the increase was directly attributable to additional costs imposed on it by the supplier of the goods or services, or was directly attributable to additional costs for labor or materials used to provide the goods or services.
(Ord. 2003-807. Adopted 12-15-03.)