California SB 478 checklist: is your advertised price the full price?
Last reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Draft pending legal review. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and have exceptions; check your own situation with a lawyer.
In short: Since 1 July 2024, prices shown to California customers must include every mandatory fee except government taxes and shipping, in almost every sector.
The rule
California's Honest Pricing Law (SB 478) took effect on 1 July 2024. It added a new item to the Consumers Legal Remedies Act (Civil Code section 1770(a)(29)): it is unlawful to advertise, display or offer a price for a good or service that does not include all mandatory fees or charges, other than:
- taxes or fees imposed by a government on the transaction, and
- postage or carriage charges for delivering the item.
Who it covers
Almost any business that sells to consumers in California, online or in person, in any sector, not only tickets and lodging. Some sectors have their own rules. Restaurants, bars and some other food vendors may charge a mandatory fee outside the listed price only if the fee is shown clearly and conspicuously wherever prices are shown (SB 1524).
The law does not limit what you charge or which fees you have. It only requires the price you show to include every mandatory charge.
Checklist
- First price: does the first price on your listing, search results, menu or ad already include every mandatory fee (cleaning, service, booking, processing, facility, "convenience")?
- Every price: calendars, "from" prices, packages and partner sites count too, not only the checkout.
- Optional means optional: an add-on that is pre-selected, or can't be removed, is likely mandatory.
- Taxes: is everything listed as "tax" really a government tax? A business fee placed next to taxes is still a fee.
- Percentages: a mandatory charge shown only as a percentage, such as "plus 3% card fee" on every purchase, still belongs in the price.
- Changes: booking and ticketing systems update their pages. Check again after each change, and keep dated records of what customers saw.
Why it matters
The Consumers Legal Remedies Act lets consumers sue, including in class actions, as well as the Attorney General and local prosecutors. Many other states now have similar laws (Minnesota, Virginia, Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon, Connecticut, DC). For tickets and short-term lodging, the FTC fee rule applies too.
Check your own checkout
We walk your checkout like a customer, from the first price to the total before payment, and show you the fees that were not in the first price, with dated screenshots reviewed by a person. Not yet available for businesses in Quebec.
Sources
- California Attorney General, Hidden fees: SB 478 frequently asked questions
- California Legislative Information, SB 478 (2023) and SB 1524 (2024)