AI Receptionist for California Businesses
Yes, a California business can use an AI receptionist. California has some of the strictest call-recording rules in the country: recording a cell or cordless phone call needs the consent of everyone on it, and that applies to businesses recording their own calls. Awava puts a clear spoken notice in the greeting, along with missed-call text back and review requests. The AI Receptionist is included in AI Pro ($1,997 setup plus $397 a month), or $97 a month added to the Website or Core plan.
Or call (978) 630-7976 right now: an AI answers. That’s the demo.
CALIFORNIA AT A GLANCE
- Recording callsAll-party consent (Cal. Penal Code §§ 632, 632.7)
- Sales calls and textsFederal TCPA rules
- AI voicesOutbound AI calls need prior consent (FCC, 2024)
- Last checkedOctober 2026
What California law means for an AI front desk.
The three rules that shape how an AI receptionist is set up in California, each with the statute it comes from.
RECORDING CALLS
All-party consent
Penal Code § 632 covers confidential conversations, and § 632.7 covers any call involving a cell or cordless phone, confidential or not. Both require the consent of all parties. In 2021 the California Supreme Court held in Smith v. LoanMe that § 632.7 applies to a party to the call, not just eavesdroppers, so a business recording its own calls needs consent too.
GIVING NOTICE
Why a beep may not be enough
The LoanMe case turned on a beep tone played a few seconds into the call, and the court did not decide whether a beep alone is enough notice. That is why Awava says the recording notice in words, in the greeting, rather than relying on a tone.
FEDERAL
AI voices and the federal rules
On 8 February 2024 the FCC ruled that AI-generated voices count as “artificial” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, so calls a business places with an AI voice need the called person’s prior express consent. That ruling is about calls you place. An AI receptionist answers calls people place to you, and Awava does not use it to dial lists.
Built around the rules from the first call.
Awava installs the AI receptionist, connects it to your number and manages it for you. These are the defaults for California businesses. How the AI Receptionist works
- When calls are recorded, the greeting says so in words before anything else. No beep-only notice.
- The AI receptionist answers calls people place to you. It does not make unsolicited sales calls.
- Missed-call text back goes only to someone who just called you, and replying STOP ends the texts.
- Campaign texts go only to customers who gave you their number and agreed to hear from you.
- If a caller asks, the AI says it is an AI and offers to have you call back.
Everything Awava does for California businesses.
The AI receptionist is one piece. Awava sets up and manages the whole front office, remotely, for businesses across California.
AI receptionist
Answers every call 24/7, books the right next step and tells callers it is an AI if they ask.
Learn moreMissed-call text back
Texts back anyone you couldn’t answer within seconds, from your own business number.
Learn moreAI lead follow-up
Replies to web, Google and social leads in seconds and keeps following up until they answer.
Learn moreGoogle review requests
Asks every customer for a review after the job, with one tap to your Google page.
Learn moreWebsite design
A fast site built around the searches your customers make, hosted and managed for you.
Learn moreSEO and AI search
Local SEO plus AEO and GEO, so Google ranks you and AI assistants name you.
Learn moreText and email campaigns
One-click campaigns to customers who agreed to hear from you, with opt-outs handled.
Learn moreGoogle Business Profile
Categories, services, photos and posts kept current, so you show up in the map pack.
Learn moreWhat it does in your line of work.
The calls, questions and bookings are different in every industry. Each page shows the jobs an AI employee takes off your plate.
Real estate agents
An AI receptionist that answers sign calls and books showings, plus instant replies to every lead.
See the pageLaw firms
An AI receptionist that runs intake 24/7 and books consultations, without giving legal advice.
See the pageMedical practices
An AI front desk that books new patients and answers routine questions, day and night.
See the pageDentists
An AI front desk that books new patients, cleanings and emergency visits.
See the pageMed spas
An AI assistant that answers calls and Instagram messages at night and books consultations.
See the pageChiropractors
An AI receptionist that books new-patient exams while you’re adjusting.
See the pageAccountants and CPAs
An AI receptionist that answers through tax season and books new clients.
See the pageInsurance agents
An AI receptionist that takes quote details and books a call with a licensed agent.
See the pageTherapists and counselors
Websites for private practices that want to be found by the right clients.
See the pageQuestions California businesses ask us.
General information, not legal advice. Checked October 2026 against the official statute text linked above. Laws change, and how they apply depends on your business; check with a lawyer licensed in California.
Massachusetts
All-party consent to record calls. Sales calls in Massachusetts.
See the rulesFlorida
All-party consent to record calls. The Florida Telephone Solicitation Act.
See the rulesTexas
One-party consent to record calls. SB 140: texts are telephone solicitation.
See the rulesNew York
One-party consent to record calls. New York’s telemarketing law.
See the rulesWashington
All-party consent to record calls. Washington’s commercial text ban.
See the rulesMaryland
All-party consent to record calls. The Stop the Spam Calls Act.
See the rulesPennsylvania
All-party consent to record calls. The 2026 telemarketing update.
See the rulesIllinois
All-party consent to record calls. Illinois auto-dialer and solicitation rules.
See the rulesConnecticut
All-party consent or notice to record calls. The 2023 telemarketing law.
See the rulesOklahoma
One-party consent to record calls. The Oklahoma Telephone Solicitation Act.
See the rulesSee where your California business stands.
The free audit shows who Google and the AI assistants name for your service and town, and what would change that.