Renting With Pets in Coronado

As of October 2026, California has no law that limits a landlord's no-pet policy, so whether you can bring a pet to a Coronado rental depends on the owner's policy, the lease and, in a condo or planned community, the homeowners association's rules. If pets are allowed, any pet deposit counts toward California's one-month cap on total security. Assistance animals are a separate category: under California fair housing rules they are not pets, and pet fees, pet deposits and breed or size limits do not apply to them.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm the details for your situation with a California attorney or tax professional. Legal points are stated as of October 2026.

Key takeaways

• No California statute restricts no-pet policies as of October 19, 2026. Bills that would have limited them (AB 2216 in 2024 and AB 2609 in 2026) did not pass.
• A pet deposit is part of the security deposit. Total security is capped at one month's rent for most landlords (Civ. Code § 1950.5).
• No statute addresses monthly pet rent either way. Ask about it before you apply.
• From April 1, 2027, landlords must give a written pet policy with every rental application (SB 1296).
• An assistance animal is not a pet. Landlords may not charge pet fees, extra rent or an extra deposit for one, and may not apply breed, size or weight limits.

What California law says about pets in rentals

No-pet policies are allowed

A landlord may decide not to allow pets, or to allow only certain animals. Two bills would have changed that. AB 2216 (2023 to 2024) would have barred refusing a common household pet without a reasonable justification; it died at the end of the 2024 session. AB 2609 (2025 to 2026) would have capped pet rent and extra pet security; its hearing was canceled at the author's request in April 2026 and it was not enacted. So as of October 2026, the owner's written policy and the lease decide.

Pet deposits count toward the cap

California defines a security deposit as any payment, fee, deposit or charge imposed at the start of a tenancy, "however denominated" (Civil Code § 1950.5 (opens in a new tab)). For security collected on or after July 1, 2024, the cap is one month's rent in addition to the first month's rent. A pet deposit is not extra. If the general deposit is already a full month's rent, a landlord cannot add a pet deposit on top.

The one exception is a small landlord: a natural person (or an LLC of natural persons) who owns no more than two residential rental properties with no more than four units in total may collect up to two months' rent. That exception does not apply when the tenant is a service member.

Like the rest of the deposit, the pet portion is refundable. Deductions are limited to items such as unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and cleaning to return the unit to its move-in level of cleanliness, and must return the balance with an itemized statement within 21 days after you move out.

Pet rent is unsettled

Monthly pet rent, as distinct from a deposit, is not addressed by any California statute. The bills that would have regulated it died. If a listing charges pet rent, ask for the amount in writing before you apply, and include it when you compare homes.

What changes in April 2027

SB 1296, signed September 30, 2026, takes effect April 1, 2027. From that date, every landlord or agent must:

• Have a written pet policy or pet addendum, even if it is a total ban
• Link to it in online listings the landlord controls
• Give you a written copy with every rental application, with a space to acknowledge receipt

If a landlord charges a screening fee without first disclosing the pet policy, and that caused you to be ineligible or withdraw, the fee must be refunded within 7 business days of a written request. The law does not require landlords to allow pets. Until it takes effect, ask for the pet policy in writing before you pay an application fee.

Assistance animals are not pets

California's fair housing regulations say it plainly: "An assistance animal is not a pet" (2 CCR § 12005(d)). Assistance animals include service animals, which are trained to perform tasks, and support animals, which provide emotional, cognitive or similar support. Neither needs professional training or certification under the regulation.

For a person who has an assistance animal, the regulations (2 CCR § 12185 (opens in a new tab)) say:

• The landlord may not charge any pet fee, additional rent or other additional fee, including an additional security deposit or liability insurance, for the animal.
• No breed, size or weight limits may be applied (with a narrow exception for miniature horses under federal disability law).
• Only two questions may be asked about a service animal, and the landlord may not ask for a demonstration.
• The tenant can be charged for damage the animal actually causes, but not for ordinary wear and tear.

Asking a landlord to allow an assistance animal in a no-pet home is a request for a reasonable accommodation. Refusing a reasonable accommodation is discrimination under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)). A no-pet policy, a pet deposit or an HOA pet rule does not change this.

HOA pet rules in Coronado condos and communities

If the home is in an association, there are two pet policies to check: the owner's and the association's. Association rules commonly cover the number and type of animals, leash rules in common areas, elevators and lobbies, where animals may be walked and how waste is handled. An owner's lease cannot give you permission the association's rules do not allow.

Ask for both in writing before you apply. The condo or house rentals guide explains how association rules interact with your lease, and the Coronado Rental Guide covers the rest of the renting process.

How to apply with a pet

A clear, complete picture of your animal helps an owner say yes. Have these ready:

1. A short pet profile. Species, breed, age, weight, and how long you have had the animal.
2. Vaccination and license records. Current records from your veterinarian.
3. A rental history reference. A prior landlord who can confirm the animal caused no damage.
4. Spay or neuter and microchip records, if applicable.
5. Renters insurance with liability coverage. A landlord policy does not cover tenants' belongings, and many landlords require renters insurance with liability coverage. Check whether your policy covers your animal.
6. A plan for absences. Who cares for the animal when you travel.

Disclose every animal on the application. An animal you do not list can become a lease violation later.

For the rest of the application, including what screening fees can be charged, see how to apply for a Coronado rental.

A pet checklist for move-in day

Under Civil Code § 1950.5(g), the landlord must photograph the unit at the start of tenancies that begin on or after July 1, 2025. Take your own dated photos too, focusing on the surfaces a pet affects. The costs of renting in Coronado guide covers the rest of the move-in budget.

Frequently asked questions

Can a California landlord refuse to rent to me because I have a dog?

Yes, if it is a pet and the home has a no-pet policy. As of October 2026, no California law restricts no-pet policies; AB 2216 and AB 2609, which would have limited them, did not pass. The rule is different for an assistance animal, which is not a pet under 2 CCR § 12005(d) and is handled as a reasonable accommodation request.

How much can a landlord charge for a pet deposit in California?

There is no separate pet deposit limit. A pet deposit counts toward the total security cap in Civil Code § 1950.5, which is one month's rent in addition to the first month's rent for most landlords, or two months for certain small landlords (but not when the tenant is a service member).

Is pet rent legal in California?

No California statute addresses monthly pet rent, either to allow it or to ban it, and the bills that would have capped it did not pass. Ask the landlord for any pet rent in writing before you apply and compare it across listings. For a dispute, talk to a California attorney.

Can a landlord charge a pet deposit for an emotional support animal?

No. Under 2 CCR § 12185, a person with an assistance animal, including a support animal, may not be charged a pet fee, additional rent, an additional security deposit or liability insurance for the animal. The tenant can still be charged for actual damage the animal causes beyond ordinary wear and tear.

Do Coronado condo HOA pet rules apply to tenants?

Yes, in practice. Leases for homes in an association typically require tenants to follow the association's rules, including pet rules, and an owner cannot authorize what the association prohibits. Ask for the association's pet rules alongside the owner's policy before you apply.

See which homes allow pets

McKee Properties has managed rentals from its Coronado office since 1989. Current homes are on the Properties for Rent page, where you can schedule a showing and apply online. Ask about the pet policy for any home before you apply.