New Pet Policy Disclosure Requirements Take Effect April 1, 2027
Beginning April 1, 2027, California rental housing providers will be required to establish their pet policies in writing and make them available to prospective renters during the rental advertising process, before they apply for a property. These requirements apply whether pets are permitted, restricted, or prohibited.
Senate Bill 1296 (Chapter 1025, Statutes of 2026) adds Section 1942.7.5 to the California Civil Code, establishing new disclosure requirements for residential rental properties.
The law does not require housing providers to accept pets. Instead, it requires them to clearly communicate their established policies so prospective renters can evaluate whether a property meets their needs before investing time and money in an application.
How Does SB 1296 Change Existing Law?
Existing California Civil Code § 1942.7 prohibits housing providers who allow animals from requiring those animals to be declawed or devocalized as a condition of occupancy.
SB 1296 does not amend that provision. Instead, it adds Civil Code § 1942.7.5, creating separate requirements for documenting and disclosing pet policies.
The new law also interacts with Civil Code § 1950.6, which governs rental application screening fees. Under specified circumstances, failing to disclose a pet policy before collecting a screening fee can result in an obligation to refund that fee.
These requirements are separate from ordinary tenant-screening criteria, such as income qualifications or rental history.
A Written Pet Policy Is Required, Even if Pets Are Prohibited
Under Civil Code § 1942.7.5(a)–(b), housing providers must have an established written pet policy or pet addendum.
The law defines a pet policy broadly. It includes rules permitting pets, restrictions on pets, and policies prohibiting pets altogether.
Even housing providers who impose no pet-related rules or restrictions must provide a written statement indicating that no such conditions apply.
Under subdivision (d), the policy must clearly describe the rights, responsibilities, and requirements applicable to tenant pet owners, including material rules, conditions, or restrictions, using plain language.
Pet Policy Disclosure Begins With Rental Advertising
One of the most significant changes under SB 1296 is that disclosure is not limited to the rental application or lease-signing process.
Under Civil Code § 1942.7.5(b)(1), housing providers or their agents must provide a hyperlink or another electronic means of accessing the established written pet policy or pet addendum through the following channels, as applicable:
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Property websites: The policy must be accessible through the property's website, if one exists.
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Digital rental advertisements: Advertisements controlled by the housing provider or their agent must provide electronic access to the policy. Third-party advertising platforms are subject to this requirement to the extent they permit the inclusion of a hyperlink or other electronic access.
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Rental search engines: Information supplied to rental search engines must include electronic access to the policy when the platform permits or supports it.
The law does not require housing providers to create a property website or advertise through any particular digital platform.
The purpose is to make the property's pet requirements available when prospective renters are considering the rental, rather than waiting until they have submitted an application.
Are Zillow's Pet Preferences Enough?
Not necessarily.
Many rental advertising platforms allow housing providers to select general preferences such as "Dogs allowed," "Cats not allowed," or "Pets negotiable."
While these selections provide useful information, they may not adequately communicate the property's established policy or satisfy the requirement to provide electronic access to the written document.
For example, consider a listing that states:
"Small dogs only. One dog up to 40 pounds. Negotiable."
This description leaves several questions unanswered. Is the weight limit firm? What circumstances might disqualify a particular dog? Does "negotiable" refer to the weight restriction, number of pets, or something else?
A clearly written policy should eliminate this uncertainty.
Selecting pet preferences on a rental advertising platform should not be mistaken for providing access to a complete written pet policy.
What Should a Written Pet Policy Include?
Civil Code § 1942.7.5(d) requires clear, plain-language descriptions of the applicable rights, responsibilities, requirements, and material restrictions.
Depending on the property's rules, BPOA recommends addressing the following:
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Permitted animals: Whether dogs, cats, or other common household pets are allowed.
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Number and size limitations: Any restrictions on the number of pets, weight limits, or other lawful conditions.
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Approval criteria: Whether advance approval is required and what factors will be considered when evaluating a particular animal.
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Exceptions: Whether any restrictions are negotiable and under what circumstances exceptions may be granted.
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Pet-related charges: Any applicable monthly charges, consistent with state and local law. Housing providers should remember that California's security deposit limits include deposits collected for pets.
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Tenant responsibilities: Expectations regarding noise, waste disposal, supervision, damage, and other reasonable rules.
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Pet addendum: Whether tenants must sign a separate agreement establishing the conditions for keeping an approved pet.
These are recommended considerations, not a requirement to impose every listed restriction.
Policies should be specific, internally consistent, and accurately reflect the rules the housing provider intends to enforce.
The Policy Must Also Accompany Rental Applications
In addition to advance disclosure through applicable advertising channels, Civil Code § 1942.7.5(b)(2) requires housing providers to furnish a written copy of their established pet policy or pet addendum with every rental application.
If the application is provided electronically, the policy must also be provided electronically.
Under subdivision (g), the rental application must include a space for the prospective tenant to acknowledge receipt of the policy.
The version provided must be the established policy in effect when the application is furnished.
Providing the policy with an application is an additional requirement, not a substitute for making it available during rental advertising.
What Happens if the Policy Isn't Disclosed?
Under Civil Code § 1942.7.5(h), a housing provider who collects an application screening fee without first disclosing the established pet policy may be required to refund that fee.
This applies when the failure to disclose the policy causes an applicant to become ineligible for the rental or to decline to proceed with the application.
The applicant must submit a written refund request, and the housing provider must issue the required refund within seven business days of receiving the notice.
The law also provides for substantial compliance. Under subdivision (f), a nonmaterial error or omission that is corrected upon notice does not constitute a violation.
Can Housing Providers Still Restrict or Prohibit Pets?
Yes.
Civil Code § 1942.7.5(j) expressly states that the new law does not require housing providers to allow pets.
Subdivision (l) preserves their authority, consistent with other applicable laws, to establish and enforce pet restrictions based on lease terms, health and safety concerns, property conditions, insurance requirements, or legitimate business reasons.
Housing providers may also require tenants to sign a pet addendum as a condition of approving a request to keep a pet.
However, under subdivision (i), a tenant's refusal to sign a pet addendum cannot, by itself, serve as the sole basis for an unlawful detainer action.
The statute also provides that amendments to an established written pet policy under these requirements may be made for prospective tenants only.
Assistance Animals Remain Subject to Separate Protections
SB 1296 does not change existing federal or California fair housing protections for service animals, support animals, or other qualifying assistance animals.
These animals are not treated as ordinary household pets for purposes of reasonable accommodation requirements.
Housing providers must continue to evaluate accommodation requests under applicable fair housing laws. Ordinary pet restrictions, including weight limitations and pet-related charges, cannot automatically be applied to qualifying assistance animals.
What Should Housing Providers Do Before April 1, 2027?
Now is a good time to review existing pet rules and determine whether they accurately reflect the property's established policies.
Housing providers should prepare or update their written policies, eliminate vague or contradictory language, and ensure that any approval criteria are clearly explained.
Those advertising through Zillow or other rental platforms should review whether the platforms support links or electronic access to their written policies. They should also ensure their rental application procedures include the required policy disclosure and acknowledgment of receipt.
Most importantly, don't wait until an applicant is being screened or a lease is being signed to introduce the property's pet policy. Under SB 1296, disclosure begins earlier, when the property is being advertised.
Taking these steps before April 1, 2027, will help housing providers comply with the new requirements while giving prospective renters a clear understanding of the property's rules.
BPOA is reviewing its rental application materials and coordinating with Intellirent regarding the new disclosure requirements. Additional compliance guidance will be provided to members ahead of the April 1, 2027, implementation date.
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