Stiff Penalty for Engaging in Unlicensed Activity In a Declared Disaster Area (Wildfires in Amador, Calaveras, Lake and Napa Counties)

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Pursuant to his authority under California Government Code § 8620, Governor Brown declared a state of emergency on September 11  in Amador  and Calaveras Counties, and on September 13 for Lake and Napa Counties for the wildfires that started in early September.  Contractors beware that Section 7028.16 of California’s Contractors’ State License Law, Business & Professions Code §§ 7000 et seq., expressly prohibits engaging in the business or acting in the capacity of a contractor without having an appropriate license when offering or performing repairs to a residential or nonresidential structure for damage caused by a natural disaster.  A violation of Section 7028.16 is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 16 months in a state prison.

Additional Source:  Contractors State License Board Offers Resources for Northern California Wildfire Victims; State Tax Relief for Victims of the Wildfires in Amador, Calaveras, Lake, and Napa Counties