California SB 1296 Pet Policy Bill: What Landlords and Renters Should Watch for 2027
California SB 1296 is enrolled and pending with the Governor. If approved, it would create written pet-policy disclosure rules operative April 1, 2027. Here is what the enrolled bill says—and what not to treat as law yet.
The short answer: SB 1296 is pending, not current law
California Legislative Information lists SB 1296 as an active enrolled bill with its house location at the Governor. The official status page says it was enrolled August 31, 2026 and presented to the Governor on September 4, 2026.
That status matters. The enrolled text describes rules that would become operative April 1, 2027 if the measure is approved, but landlords and renters should not treat the proposal as an enacted requirement unless the official legislative record later shows gubernatorial approval and chaptering.
What the enrolled bill would require
The enrolled text would require a landlord or agent to have the property's pet policy or pet addendum in writing. The defined policy can include rules and conditions, a prohibition on pets, or a statement that there are no pet rules or conditions.
The proposal would require electronic access to the policy on the property's website and, where the relevant platform permits it, in digital advertisements and information supplied to a residential rental search engine. It would also require a written copy of the established pet policy or addendum with a rental application form.
Why application-fee timing would matter
The enrolled bill addresses an applicant who pays an application fee without first receiving the established pet policy or addendum and then becomes ineligible or decides not to proceed because of the undisclosed pet policy. In the circumstances described by the bill, the landlord or agent would have to refund the application fee upon request.
Because SB 1296 remains pending, do not build a current refund demand or compliance notice around this proposal alone. If it becomes law, property teams should then verify the final chaptered text and update application-fee workflows before the operative date.
Service and support animals remain a separate legal issue
The enrolled text expressly says the proposal does not affect obligations or rights under state or federal law relating to service and support animals. A general pet policy therefore should not be used as a substitute for a disability-related assistance-animal analysis.
Housing providers should keep ordinary pet rules and reasonable-accommodation processes separate and use current fair-housing sources for assistance-animal questions.
What property managers can prepare now without pretending the bill passed
Inventory the written pet policy or lease addendum currently used at each property, where applicants can see it, which websites and advertising feeds support policy links, and whether application forms are generated from the same source of truth. That operational review is useful even while the legislation is pending.
Do not label a draft policy 'SB 1296 compliant' yet. If the Governor approves the measure, compare the final chaptered text with the enrolled version, document the operative date, update staff scripts and application packets, and test every listing channel that is under the landlord's or agent's control.
What renters should check before paying an application fee
Ask for the property's current written pet rules before paying nonrefundable screening or application costs, especially if a pet materially affects whether the home works for the household. Confirm pet limits, deposits or other lawful charges, breed or size rules, areas where pets may be kept, and any required documentation from the actual housing provider.
Do not send identity documents, pet records or money to an unverified listing account. If you are still searching for a rental that fits your household, Open House Rentals can handle the separate find-and-tour step while Max Rental Tools stays focused on documents and rental-law research.
2027 watch: verify the official status before changing compliance
The enrolled bill states that its provisions would be operative April 1, 2027. That date is contingent on enactment. This article was verified from California Legislative Information on September 22, 2026 while the bill remained pending with the Governor.
The correct next update is not a speculative article. This same canonical should be revised if the Governor signs or vetoes the measure, or if the official record otherwise changes its legal status.
Common questions
Is California SB 1296 already law?
No based on the official status verified September 22, 2026. California Legislative Information lists SB 1296 as an active enrolled bill located with the Governor, with presentation to the Governor on September 4, 2026.
When would SB 1296's pet-policy rules start if enacted?
The enrolled bill says its provisions would become operative April 1, 2027. That operative date should not be treated as binding unless the bill becomes law.
Would a California landlord have to put the pet policy online?
The enrolled proposal would require a hyperlink or other electronic access on the property website and, where supported, in controlled digital advertising and information supplied to rental search engines. That is a proposed 2027 requirement, not a current enacted rule while the bill remains pending.
Does SB 1296 change assistance-animal rights?
The enrolled text says it does not affect obligations or rights under state or federal law relating to service and support animals.
Official sources
California Legislative Information — SB 1296 StatusCalifornia Legislative Information — SB 1296 Enrolled TextContinue your check
Use the state directory for current jurisdiction-specific rules, calculate the proposed increase, then prepare the appropriate rental document only after the legal-rule checks are complete.