Most California landlords already have a pet policy. The problem is that it often lives in the landlord's head, gets mentioned during a showing, or surfaces only when the lease is signed. SB 1296, signed by Governor Newsom in September 2026, changes that. Starting April 1, 2027, your pet policy has to be written down and given to applicants up front, before you charge them a dime to apply.
What SB 1296 Covers
The law adds Civil Code §1942.7.5. It applies to any pet policy, including:
- Policies that allow pets
- Policies that restrict pets (type, size, number, or fees)
- Complete no-pet policies
SB 1296 does not require you to allow pets. You can still adopt and enforce pet restrictions for legitimate reasons like health and safety, property condition, insurance requirements, or other business considerations, as long as those rules comply with existing law on service animals, support animals, and other assistance animals.
What You Must Do Starting April 1, 2027
1. Put the policy in writing. Your pet policy or pet addendum must describe, in plain language, the rights, responsibilities, and material rules that apply to tenants with pets. Think: which animals are allowed, any limits, required fees or deposits, and rules tenants must follow.
2. Make it available online. If the property has a website, the written pet policy must be accessible there.
3. Link it from your digital ads. Digital advertisements you control must include electronic access to the policy (for example, a link). For third-party listing sites and rental search engines, the requirement applies only when the platform supports a hyperlink or similar electronic access.
4. Include it with every application. Give applicants a written copy of the policy along with the rental application, with a place for the applicant to acknowledge they received it.
The Application Fee Refund Rule
This is the part with real financial teeth. If you collect an application (screening) fee without first providing the pet policy, the applicant can request a refund of that fee. You then have seven business days to issue it.
For small landlords, this is easy to trip over: a prospect pays the fee online, then finds out at lease signing that their dog is over your weight limit. Under SB 1296, that's a refund.
Assistance Animals Are Still Different
Service animals and emotional support animals are not pets under California and federal fair housing law. A no-pet policy doesn't apply to them, and you can't charge pet fees or pet deposits for them. Your written pet policy should say so clearly to avoid confusing applicants who use assistance animals.
How to Get Ready Before April 2027
- Write (or update) a one-page pet policy or pet addendum in plain language
- Add a link to it in every listing you control, and on your property website if you have one
- Attach it to your rental application with an acknowledgment line and signature
- Make sure your pet deposit amount fits within California's one-month security deposit cap
- Add a short statement that assistance animals are not pets and aren't subject to pet rules or fees
Bottom Line for Landlords
- Starting April 1, 2027, every California landlord needs a written pet policy, even a "no pets" one
- The policy must be online (if you have a property website), linked from your digital ads, and attached to every application
- Applicants must acknowledge receiving it
- Collect an application fee before providing the policy, and the applicant can demand a refund within seven business days
- You can still restrict or prohibit pets, but assistance animals are not pets
FAQ
Does SB 1296 require California landlords to allow pets?
No. SB 1296 only requires landlords to put their pet policy in writing and disclose it to applicants before charging an application fee. Landlords can still restrict or prohibit pets for legitimate reasons, as long as they follow assistance animal laws.
When does California's pet policy disclosure law take effect?
SB 1296 takes effect April 1, 2027.
What happens if a landlord charges an application fee without giving the pet policy first?
The applicant can request a refund of the application fee, and the landlord must issue it within seven business days.
Keep your pet policy with every application
Store your written pet policy in your property's Docs in LeaseConnectPro and send it to applicants and tenants from the app, so there's a record of when it went out.
Download Free →This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed California attorney for guidance specific to your property.