California TCPA and telemarketing law
California has its own telemarketing statute with a private right of action.
| Statute | Cal. Pub. Util. Code §§ 2871-2876; Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17590-17594 | ↗ |
| Consent standard | Prior express consent | ↗ |
| Stricter than federal | Not yet verified | |
| Private right of action | Yes | ↗ |
| Statutory damages | Not yet verified | |
| Covers text messages | Not yet verified | |
| Cure period | Not yet verified |
California regulates robocalls through its automatic dialing-announcing device law in the Public Utilities Code. A prerecorded call may be placed only with the called person's prior agreement, or after a live, natural voice announces the caller, asks whether the person consents to hear the message, and, since 2025, says whether the message uses an artificial voice. These devices may not reach California phones between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Violations carry a Public Utilities Commission fine of up to $500 each.
The state also adopts the federal Do Not Call registry as its own list. Calling a listed number to sell goods, credit, insurance or investments is barred unless an exemption applies, such as a signed written agreement or an established business relationship. The Attorney General and local prosecutors enforce that article. A consumer can go to small claims court for an injunction and, if calls continue after it is served, seek up to $1,000.
Source: Cal. Pub. Util. Code §§ 2871-2876; Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17590-17594 ↗