The recent and upcoming California laws and rulings that change what landlords must do, with the date each one applies and a link to the text.
Four changes take effect on January 1, 2027 (digitally altered rental photos in AB 2025, emergency price caps for all lease terms in SB 1365, plug-in solar in SB 868, and service of process in AB 747) and a fifth on April 1, 2027 (written pet policies in SB 1296). Deposit, just-cause, appliance and disaster rules changed on January 1, 2026.
The list is limited to items we have checked against the bill text or the court’s own opinion. It is not a list of every bill. The older statewide rules are explained in the new laws guide.
A tenant personally served with an unlawful detainer summons and complaint has 10 court days to respond, not counting weekends and judicial holidays. Amends Code of Civil Procedure § 1167.
Sources: AB 2347 bill text · CCP § 1167
The Court of Appeal held a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit invalid and ordered judgment for the tenant, because the notice did not clearly warn that the landlord would seek possession, did not state when the period began and ended, and did not exclude weekends and judicial holidays as required. A published opinion, so it guides every notice served in California.
Sources: California Courts: opinion B340941
Amended Civil Code § 1950.5 (Stats. 2025, ch. 340). The 21-day return deadline is now in § 1950.5(h)(1). The statute also covers photo requirements, electronic return and multiple adult tenants.
Sources: Civ. Code § 1950.5 · AB 414 bill text
Amended Civil Code § 1946.2 (Stats. 2025, ch. 203). The owner move-in rules now say who qualifies as an owner, require the notice to name the intended occupant, and set a 90-day move-in window and a 12-month stay.
Sources: Civ. Code § 1946.2 · AB 1529 bill text
Added two habitability standards to Civil Code § 1941.1 for leases entered into, amended or extended on or after January 1, 2026. Some summaries list it as a 2027 law, but the statute makes it effective January 1, 2026.
Sources: Civ. Code § 1941.1 · AB 628 bill text
Added Civil Code §§ 1941.8 and 1941.9 (Stats. 2025, ch. 547). Landlords must remediate disaster debris and hazards, and no rent is owed during a mandatory evacuation tied to a qualifying disaster.
Sources: Civ. Code § 1941.8 · Civ. Code § 1941.9 · SB 610 bill text
Adds Civil Code § 1940.11 (chaptered September 27, 2026, ch. 572). A rental ad that uses a digitally altered image needs a conspicuous disclosure and the original unaltered image, or a link to it. Lighting, cropping and color correction do not count as alteration.
Sources: AB 2025 bill text · Bill status
Amends Penal Code § 396 (signed September 30, 2026, ch. 1028). Today the rental provisions cover housing with an initial lease term of one year or less. SB 1365 covers any rental housing regardless of lease length, and recasts the exceptions as defenses the person must prove. It does not change emergencies declared before it takes effect.
Sources: Penal Code § 396 · SB 1365 bill text
Electricity: portable solar generation devices (chaptered September 30, 2026, ch. 985). It deals with utility interconnection for small plug-in devices. It is not a tenant-rights law, so what a landlord must allow still turns on the lease and building rules. Read the bill text before you write a policy.
Sources: SB 868 bill status
Chapter 563 of the Statutes of 2025. Changes how summonses are served, including a reasonable-diligence standard before posting in an unlawful detainer case. Matters most to landlords who serve their own papers.
Sources: AB 747 bill text
Adds Civil Code § 1942.7.5 (chaptered September 30, 2026, ch. 1025). A landlord needs a written pet policy or addendum whether the policy allows, restricts or prohibits pets, must link it in ads and online listings, and must give a copy with every application. If an application fee was charged before the policy was disclosed, it is refundable within seven business days of a written request in the cases the statute describes. The law does not require landlords to allow pets and does not change service-animal and assistance-animal rights.
Sources: SB 1296 bill text · Bill status
Both measures below failed or were rejected on election night. These are unofficial counts reported by local news outlets and may change before certification.
Voters rejected the repeal of the city’s rent stabilization, just-cause, tenant-protection and anti-harassment ordinances, so the ordinances stay in effect. Unofficial election-night count: about 59% No (9,764) to 41% Yes (6,786).
Source: Monterey County Now. County elections offices certify the final count.
Voters rejected a proposed rent stabilization and eviction ordinance for qualifying housing built before February 1, 1995. Unofficial election-night count: about 56% No (8,164) to 44% Yes (6,348).
Source: San Mateo Daily Journal. County elections offices certify the final count.
The emergency order tracker lists the current orders with their end dates. For Tropical Storm Rachel, Penal Code § 396 limits rent increases to 10% in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties through Nov. 14, 2026, unless extended (Cal OES). As of Nov 13, 2026, no extension had been announced.
This page summarizes statutes and rulings in plain language. Read the linked text, check your local rent rules, and consult a qualified attorney before you rely on it. See the disclaimer.