CaliforniaCalifornia residential landlords must share written pet rules from April 2027
Starting April 1, 2027, California residential landlords must put pet rules in writing, provide access on any property website, and give applicants copies.
What it does
From April 1, 2027, residential landlords must write down pet rules and provide online access on property websites and digital ads they control. Third-party listings are covered when platforms allow access. Pet bans remain allowed.
Starting April 1, 2027, residential landlords must give applicants the current pet rules with each rental application. The rules must plainly explain pet owners' rights, duties, and key restrictions.
From April 1, 2027, residential applicants may ask in writing for their application fee back if a landlord charged it before sharing pet rules and that omission made them ineligible or led them to stop applying.
Argument forApplicants with pets could spot a pet ban on a property website or landlord-controlled ad before paying to apply.
Argument againstResidential landlords could spend more time updating applications, property websites, and ads they control when their pet rules change.
More detail
Residential landlords or their agents must write down pet rules and provide electronic access in covered online places. This covers any property website and digital ads the landlord controls. Third-party ads and rental search listings are covered when those platforms permit electronic access. The policy must state any pet ban or say when there are no pet rules. Landlords need not create a website, advertise online, or allow pets. Rights involving service and support animals stay the same. A minor error fixed after notice is not a violation. These duties start April 1, 2027.
Residential landlords or their agents must give applicants the property's current written pet rules with each rental application. Applicants must receive the pet rules in effect when the landlord gives them the application. An electronic application must include an electronic copy. The rules must clearly explain pet owners' rights, duties, and important restrictions. Landlords may change the rules for prospective tenants only. Sharing the important terms counts as substantial compliance. This requirement starts April 1, 2027.
A landlord or agent must refund an application fee after an applicant makes a qualifying written request. This covers residential rental applicants who paid an application fee. The landlord must have charged the fee before sharing the established pet rules. Because of that failure, the applicant must no longer qualify to rent or choose to stop applying. The applicant must request the refund in writing. The landlord must pay the refund within seven business days after receiving the written request.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1025, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 4Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 28Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 6089.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.Major
- Vote recorded Unfinished Business SB1296 Durazo et al. Concurrence. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 28In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
- Aug 27Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 6702.) Ordered to the Senate.Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded SB 1296 Durazo Senate Third Reading By Haney. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 21Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 21Read third time and amended.Major
- Aug 21Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended. (Ayes 55. Noes 17. Page 6296.)
- Jun 10Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 9From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 9).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 3From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Major
- May 26Referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- May 19In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- May 18Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 34. Noes 0. Page 4321.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 30Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Apr 29From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 4085.) (April 28).Minor
- Apr 28
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 20From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Major
- Mar 27Set for hearing April 28.
- Mar 4Referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Feb 23Read first time.Minor
- Feb 23From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
- Feb 20Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced
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