What California law says about pets and deposits
California gives landlords wide latitude on pet policies — they can say no pets at all (service and emotional support animals are the important exception, covered below). Where pets are allowed, the money side is regulated:
- Total deposit cap: "Pet deposits" count toward the overall security deposit limit — one month's rent for most rentals. A landlord can't charge a full deposit plus a separate pet deposit that pushes you over the cap.
- Pet rent is legal: Monthly pet rent ($25–$75 per pet is typical around Redlands) is allowed because it's recurring rent, not a deposit.
- Non-refundable "pet fees": California treats any upfront fee as part of the security deposit — meaning it's refundable under the normal deposit-return rules. A truly non-refundable pet fee is generally not enforceable in California.
Breed, size, and number restrictions
Landlords can legally restrict breeds, weight, and the number of pets — most Redlands complexes cap at two pets and many exclude breeds common on insurance blacklists. Individual landlords renting houses are typically more flexible than managed complexes; a well-presented application can change a "maybe" to a yes.
- Managed communities (Lugonia corridor especially): formal pet policies, pet rent, DNA/waste rules sometimes, weight limits common.
- Small landlords (South Redlands, University District, downtown duplexes): case-by-case — your pet's résumé matters more than a policy document.
Service and emotional support animals
Service animals and legitimate emotional support animals (ESAs) are not pets under fair housing law. Landlords must provide reasonable accommodation even in "no pets" buildings, and they cannot charge pet rent or pet deposits for them. They can request reliable documentation for an ESA when the disability-related need isn't obvious — but they can't demand details of your condition or charge for the accommodation. Fraudulent "ESA certificates" from online mills have made landlords skeptical; a letter from a licensed provider who actually knows you carries the weight.
How to win a pet-friendly rental
- Build a pet résumé: photo, breed, weight, age, spay/neuter status, vaccination records, and training history.
- Get a reference letter from a previous landlord specifically about your pet — "no damage, no complaints" is gold.
- Offer a meet-and-greet. A calm, leashed introduction answers more questions than an application can.
- Be honest about the pet. Getting caught with an undisclosed dog is a lease violation that can end a tenancy.
- Offer a slightly longer lease term — stability is often worth more to a landlord than pet rent.
- Carry renter's insurance with pet liability coverage and mention it; it directly addresses a landlord's biggest fear.
Living with a dog in Redlands
Redlands is a genuinely decent dog city once you're settled:
- Ford Park hosts the city's off-leash dog park — separate areas for large and small dogs.
- Prospect Park and Caroline Park in Smiley Heights offer leashed walking on shaded hillside paths — some of the nicest urban trails in the region.
- San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary and the canyon trails on the south side give you miles of leashed hiking.
- Downtown patios along State Street and Orange Street Alley are largely dog-friendly — and the Saturday farmers market welcomes leashed dogs.
- Dog licensing runs through the city — Redlands requires licenses for dogs over four months, which you'll want current anyway for boarding and vet visits.
Summer caution: pavement in Redlands can burn paws by mid-morning June through September. Shift walks early and late, and never leave a dog in a parked car — it's dangerous and illegal in California.
Last updated September 2026.