AB 2216 Summary

• Prohibits landlords from asking prospective tenants about pet ownership before accepting a rental application; prospective tenants must inform landlords of pet plans within 72 hours before signing a lease.

• Prevents landlords from prohibiting tenants from owning or maintaining common household pets without reasonable justification, but allows landlords to impose reasonable conditions on pets.

• Prohibits landlords from charging separate or additional rent for pet ownership or maintenance.

• Allows landlords to use security deposits to cover damages caused by pets or other pet-related costs, with definitions of "common household pet" drawn from Health and Safety Code Section 50466.

• Exempts rental agreements entered into before January 1, 2025 from the pet ownership and pet rent prohibitions.