Can a California Landlord Charge a Pet Deposit?
By JC Pacific Corp Published 2026-09-01 Last professionally reviewed: September 2026
A California landlord may generally charge an additional refundable pet deposit, but it counts toward the total legal security-deposit limit. A landlord may not charge a pet deposit or pet rent for a qualifying service animal or assistance animal required as a reasonable accommodation.
Is a pet deposit separate from the legal cap?
Can a landlord charge pet rent?
No. The total of all amounts held as security generally cannot exceed the applicable statutory limit. For example, if the maximum permitted deposit has already been collected, an additional pet deposit generally cannot be added beyond that cap.
Are assistance animals pets?
A lawful recurring pet charge may be treated differently from a refundable deposit, but it must comply with the rental agreement, rent-control laws, advertising rules,and disability protections. Obtain legal guidance before adding charges.
No. Service animalsand qualifying support animals are not treated as ordinary pets under fair-housing law. A housing provider may need to:
- Waive no-pet rules
- Waive pet deposits
- Waive pet rent
- Consider a reasonable-accommodation request
A tenant can remain responsible for actual damage caused by an animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can landlords prohibit all pets?
They may generally establish pet policies, subject to assistance-animaland other legal requirements.
Can a landlord require assistance-animal certification from an online registry?
Fair-housing verification rules are more nuanced. Do not demand certificates or information the law does not permit.
Can the deposit pay for pet odor or damage?
Yes, when the deduction is lawful, reasonable, documented,and beyond ordinary wear.
Educational information
This content is for general educational purposesand is not legal, tax, financial, investment, insurance, property-management, or fair-housing advice. California landlord-tenant law is highly fact-specificand changes frequently. Citiesand counties may impose additional rent-control, eviction, relocation, registration, inspection, notice,and tenant-protection requirements. Landlordsand tenants should consult a qualified California attorney or other appropriately licensed professional regarding a specific property or dispute. Housing providers must comply with federal, California,and applicable local fair-housing laws. Nothing in these articles should be used to discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, disability, source of income, veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, primary language, or any other protected characteristic.
Separate ordinary pet policiesfrom disability-accommodation procedures.
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A note on legal advice: These guides provide general, educational information about California real estate practice. They are not legal advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Mortgage information is general education, not individualized lending, tax or legal guidance. For advice about your specific offer, contract, closing or financing, consult a qualified California real estate attorney and a qualified mortgage professional.