SB 1296: Real property: rentals: pet policy.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law governs the obligations of tenants and landlords. Existing law prohibits a landlord who allows an animal on the premises from advertising or establishing rental policies in a manner that requires a tenant or a potential tenant with an animal to have that animal declawed or devocalized as a condition of occupancy, as provided.

This bill would require a landlord or their agent to have a pet policy or pet addendum in writing and to provide access to the property’s pet policy or addendum on the property’s internet website, in digital advertisements, and in information provided to a residential rental search engine, as prescribed. The bill would require a landlord or their agent to provide a written copy of the property’s established pet policy or pet addendum with any rental application form. The bill would require a pet policy or pet addendum to include specified information, including a description of the rights, responsibilities, and requirements for tenant pet owners at the property. The bill would establish conditions for a landlord or their agent to substantially comply with these provisions and would specify that a nonmaterial error or omission that is corrected upon notice does not constitute a violation of these provisions. The bill would specify that it does not affect obligations or rights under state or federal law relating to service and support animals. The bill would require any landlord or their agent who charges an application fee but fails to disclose the established pet policy or pet addendum before charging the fee, and due to the landlord’s or their agent’s failure to disclose that information, the applicant is no longer eligible to rent the unit or declines to proceed with the application, to refund the application fee to the applicant upon request, as specified. The bill would make its provisions operative on April 1, 2027.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1025, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 4, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 28, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. August 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 6702.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 21, 2026Ordered to third reading.
8. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended.
9. August 21, 2026Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended. (Ayes 55. Noes 17. Page 6296.)
10. June 10, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. June 9, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 9).
12. June 3, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.