LA County’s 2024 Fair Chance Ordinance: What Homeowners Need to Know About Enhanced Criminal Background Check Standards for Roofing Contractors

Los Angeles County has implemented groundbreaking consumer protection measures in 2024 that fundamentally change how contractors, including roofing professionals, handle criminal background checks for their employees. The Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCOE) went into effect on September 3, 2024, creating “equitable protections for individuals with criminal history seeking opportunities for gainful employment in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County” while simultaneously enhancing consumer protection standards for residential projects.

Understanding the New Requirements

The new ordinance applies to businesses operating in unincorporated areas of LA County that employ five or more employees regardless of location. For homeowners hiring roofing contractors, this means enhanced screening processes and greater transparency in how contractors evaluate and hire their workforce.

The FCOE prohibits employers from inquiring about an applicant’s criminal history before a conditional offer is made, going beyond California’s existing Fair Chance Act by imposing additional restrictions. The FCOE imposes additional restrictions by prohibiting employers from discussing an applicant’s criminal history before the criminal background check is completed, and a copy of it is provided to the applicant for their review.

Enhanced Consumer Protection Through Rigorous Compliance

The ordinance creates multiple layers of protection for consumers by ensuring contractors maintain higher employment standards. The FCOE limits the consideration of criminal history to a look-back period of no more than seven years. In contrast, state law generally does not impose a temporal limitation on criminal history, meaning contractors must now follow more restrictive guidelines.

Contractors must now provide detailed justifications for conducting background checks, including “articulable concerns regarding the safety of, or risk of harm or harassment to, the employer’s staff, employees, contractors, vendors, associates, clients, customers or the general public”. This requirement ensures that safety considerations for homeowners are properly documented and justified.

What This Means for Residential Roofing Projects

For homeowners considering roofing work, these enhanced standards provide several key benefits. First, contractors must now conduct an individualized assessment of the applicant’s criminal history before withdrawing a conditional job offer. However, unlike the FCA, the FCOE requires the individualized assessment to be documented in writing, creating a paper trail that ensures thorough vetting processes.

The ordinance also requires contractors to maintain comprehensive records. Employers are required to retain records relating to the hiring process, including job postings, applications, assessments, and notices for a minimum of four years, providing accountability and transparency in contractor hiring practices.

Royal Roofing: Leading by Example in LA County

Established roofing companies like Royal Roofing have been adapting to these new requirements while maintaining their commitment to quality service. Royal Roofing is the trusted roofing contractor serving Orange & Los Angeles County, CA, delivering reliable repairs, replacements, and installs. As a family-owned and operated business, we focus on building long-term relationships that span generations. Our leadership takes a very involved approach to Royal Roofing, bringing decades of hands-on experience and a strong foundation in quality roofing practices.

With nearly 50 years, Royal Roofing has been committed to providing homeowners with affordable and long-lasting roofing solutions, and the company has embraced the new compliance requirements as part of their ongoing commitment to consumer protection. When seeking a qualified Roofer LA County, CA, homeowners can be confident that established contractors are now subject to even more rigorous employment screening standards.

Enforcement and Consumer Rights

The new ordinance comes with significant enforcement mechanisms. Unlike state law — which provides maximum fines of $500 for violations — the FCOE imposes far greater penalties, including fines of up to $20,000 per violation. This creates strong incentives for contractors to comply with the enhanced background check requirements.

The Ordinance allows enforcement by the DCBA and provides a private right of action for an individual who has met the administrative exhaustion requirements. An aggrieved individual may seek legal or equitable relief, including penalties as described in the Ordinance, monetary damages, back pay, reinstatement in employment.

Looking Forward: Enhanced Safety and Accountability

These new requirements represent a significant step forward in consumer protection for residential projects. By requiring contractors to follow more stringent hiring practices, maintain detailed documentation, and provide clear justifications for their employment decisions, the ordinance creates a more accountable and transparent contracting environment.

For homeowners planning roofing projects in LA County’s unincorporated areas, these enhanced standards provide additional peace of mind. The combination of rigorous background check requirements, detailed record-keeping, and substantial penalties for non-compliance ensures that contractors maintain higher standards in their hiring practices, ultimately contributing to safer and more reliable residential roofing services.

As the construction industry adapts to these new requirements, homeowners can expect greater transparency and accountability from their roofing contractors, reinforcing the importance of choosing established, compliant professionals for their residential projects.