Real property: rentals: pet policy.

The definition of 'pet' was changed from 'an animal except for a service animal or support animal that a landlord is required to allow' to simply a 'common household pet' as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50466. This narrows the scope of animals covered by the bill.

A new provision was added to the 'pet policy' definition stating that if a landlord places no rules or conditions on maintaining pets, the policy must include a statement reflecting that there are no such rules or conditions.

The requirement for landlords who do NOT allow pets to clearly disclose their no-pet policy in advertisements, rental applications, or lease agreements (including a statement that the policy does not apply to service or support animals) was entirely removed.

The detailed list of required pet policy contents (breed and weight restrictions, specific dollar amounts for upfront fees, refundable deposits, monthly pet rent, limits on number of pets, vaccination requirements, liability insurance requirements) was replaced with a single requirement for 'a clear, plain-language description of the rights, responsibilities, and requirements for tenant pet owners at the property.'

The provision prohibiting landlords from characterizing any upfront pet fee as nonrefundable (pursuant to Section 1950.5) was removed.

The rental application form requirement was simplified: the old version required both a notice about the refund right and a space for tenant acknowledgment of receipt; the new version only requires a space for the prospective tenant to acknowledge receipt of the pet policy or addendum.

The unlawful detainer protection was narrowed: a tenant's failure to sign a pet addendum can no longer form the 'sole basis' of an unlawful detainer action (previously it could not form 'the basis' at all). Two new clarifications were added: landlords retain their ability to enforce material lease breaches as a basis for unlawful detainer, and landlords may still require execution of a pet addendum as a condition of approving a tenant's request to keep a pet.

The application fee refund deadline was extended from five business days to seven business days after receiving written notice from the applicant. New language was added stating that upon timely providing the refund, the landlord has no further obligations to the applicant under this section.

Throughout the bill, references to 'landlord' were expanded to 'landlord or their agent' in multiple provisions, clarifying that agents bear the same obligations as landlords directly.

Digital advertisement and rental search engine hyperlink requirements are now limited to what third-party platforms permit or support, giving landlords a practical out when platforms do not allow hyperlinks in their listings.

A new subdivision requires that every pet policy or addendum include a clear, plain-language description of the rights, responsibilities, and requirements for tenant pet owners at the property.

The requirement that landlords maintain and post a written copy of the pet policy in a conspicuous location visible to prospective tenants was removed.

The requirement that prospective tenants formally acknowledge receipt of the pet policy by signing a pet addendum or lease was removed; the rental application now only needs to include a space for acknowledgment rather than requiring actual signature.

A new provision states that a tenant's failure to sign a pet addendum shall not form the basis of any unlawful detainer (eviction) action against the tenant.

A new savings clause clarifies that the bill does not limit a landlord's authority to adopt, amend, interpret, or enforce a pet policy, or to deny or restrict pets based on lease terms, health or safety concerns, property conditions, insurance requirements, or business reasons.

The definition of 'pet' now cross-references the Health and Safety Code definition of 'common household pet,' potentially narrowing which animals fall under the bill's protections.

The definition of 'pet policy' now explicitly includes policies that completely prohibit pets, formally bringing no-pet policies within the bill's framework.

The application fee refund provision now requires a causal link: the applicant must be ineligible or decline 'due to the landlord's failure to disclose that information,' making it harder for applicants to claim a refund.

New requirement that landlords who do NOT allow pets must clearly disclose their no-pet policy in any advertisement, rental application, or lease agreement, including a statement that the policy does not apply to service animals or support animals.

New exemption from liability for omissions or errors on third-party websites or platforms if the third party obtained, scraped, or republished information without the landlord's express written permission.

New clarification that the section does not require a landlord to allow pets, create an internet website, or digitally advertise through any particular medium.

New definitions section defining 'Landlord,' 'Pet' (excluding service and support animals under state and federal fair housing law), 'Pet addendum,' and 'Pet policy.'

New safe harbor provision: a landlord substantially complies if they provide the material terms of the pet policy, and nonmaterial errors or omissions corrected upon notice do not constitute a violation.

New sole-remedy limitation: the application fee refund is the only remedy available under the section. No private right of action for damages, penalties, injunctive relief, or attorneys' fees is created.

New provision requiring rental applications to include a notice about the refund right if the pet policy was not provided, and a space for the prospective tenant to acknowledge receipt of the pet policy.

New provision allowing landlords to amend their pet policy prospectively, with compliance determined based on the policy in effect at the time the application is provided.

Application fee refund now requires that the applicant is no longer eligible to rent the unit or declines to proceed because of the pet policy (previously any failure to disclose triggered a refund). Refund must be made within five business days after written notice from the applicant.

Pet policy content requirements now specify the dollar amount of each fee, change 'nonrefundable pet fees' to 'Upfront pet fees,' add 'to the extent applicable' qualifier, and broaden the catch-all category to 'other material rule, condition, or restriction applicable to a tenant keeping a pet at the property.'

New provision stating that pursuant to Section 1950.5(n), a pet policy shall not characterize any upfront pet fee as nonrefundable.

New operative date of April 1, 2027.