SB 1296: What Sacramento Rental Owners Should Know About Proposed Pet Policy Rules
For Sacramento rental property owners, a clear pet policy helps set expectations before a tenant moves in. Proposed California legislation could soon require owners to share that policy much earlier—before an applicant pays a screening fee.
As of September 18, 2026, SB 1296 is awaiting the governor’s action. If enacted, its pet-policy disclosure requirements would become operative on April 1, 2027. The proposal could affect how owners and property managers prepare rental listings, distribute applications, and document disclosures. View the bill’s legislative history.
Whether you own one rental in Sacramento or several properties across Roseville and Rocklin, this is a good opportunity to review how prospective tenants learn about your pet rules.
A “No Pets” Policy Would Still Need to Be Disclosed
SB 1296 would not require rental owners to accept pets. It would require written disclosure of the property’s policy, including policies that prohibit pets entirely.
For owners who allow pets, the written policy would need to explain the material rules, conditions, and responsibilities in understandable language. Applicants should be able to determine whether the property’s pet requirements work for their household before spending money to apply.
A brief “pets considered” statement may start the conversation, but it does not necessarily explain the complete policy. Owners should consider whether their current listings give applicants a clear path to that information.
Pet Policies Would Become Part of the Leasing Process
The proposal would bring pet-policy disclosure into several stages of leasing:
Property websites: Applicants would need electronic access to the written policy when a property website exists.
Digital advertising: Listings controlled by the owner or manager would need to provide electronic access. Third-party platforms would be covered to the extent they support that access.
Rental applications: Applicants would receive the written policy with the application, including electronically when applying online.
Acknowledgment: The application would include a place for applicants to acknowledge receipt.
For Sacramento landlords, the practical challenge is consistency. A listing, application, and pet addendum should communicate the same expectations.
If a property’s pet rules change between vacancies, updating only the lease paperwork could leave outdated information in an advertisement or application packet. A repeatable process helps prevent those gaps.
When Could an Applicant Request a Screening-Fee Refund?
The proposed refund requirement has an important condition: the missing disclosure must cause the applicant to become ineligible or decide not to continue. In that situation, an applicant could request a refund in writing, and the landlord would have seven business days after receiving the notice to return the fee. Read the enrolled bill.
For example, an applicant might pay a screening fee before learning about a pet restriction that prevents their household from qualifying.
The practical response is to place disclosure before payment in the application process. That gives applicants useful information earlier and helps owners avoid processing applications that cannot move forward.
Pet Policies and Assistance Animals Require Different Treatment
Owners could continue establishing lawful pet restrictions under SB 1296. However, existing protections involving service animals, support animals, and other assistance animals would remain in place.
That distinction matters when answering inquiries, reviewing applications, and explaining a “no pets” policy. Owners should have a consistent process for handling accommodation requests rather than assuming ordinary pet rules apply to every animal.
Balancing Rental Appeal With Property Protection
Pet policies also affect how owners position their rentals.
Allowing approved pets can broaden the pool of interested applicants. Whether that approach makes sense for a particular Sacramento-area property depends on the home, the owner’s priorities, and the procedures used to manage potential damage.
At Legacy Property Management, our Pet Damage Guarantee provides reimbursement of up to $1,000 per approved pet for qualifying damage exceeding the security deposit, subject to the guarantee’s terms. Assistance animals are excluded from this program. Learn more about our guarantees.
A thoughtful pet policy combines clear expectations with practical protection for the property.
What Sacramento Owners Can Review Now
While SB 1296 remains pending, owners can prepare by reviewing a few parts of their leasing process:
Confirm that the property has a clear, current written pet policy.
Compare the policy with advertisements, application materials, and lease documents.
Check when applicants receive the policy relative to screening-fee payment.
Establish a reliable way to document delivery and acknowledgment.
Monitor the bill’s outcome before making final compliance updates.
These steps can improve communication today while making future changes easier to implement.
Sacramento Property Management That Handles the Details
A disclosure requirement can touch far more than one form. Advertising, applicant communication, payment timing, and lease preparation all need to work together.
Legacy Property Management helps Sacramento-area owners manage those details through consistent leasing procedures and organized documentation. For owners in Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, and surrounding communities, our goal is to make rental ownership easier to manage while protecting the investment.
Contact Legacy Property Management to learn how we can support your Sacramento-area rental property.
