From the California Legislature, read Oct 1, 2026.Show the law
“In no case shall the amount of the application screening fee charged by the landlord or their agent be greater than thirty dollars ($30) per applicant …”
State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.
California lawIn force
California application screening fee cap and rules
How much can they charge me to apply?
About $69 per applicant in 2026, max.
California's cap grows with inflation each year.
Who it covers
Covers: Landlords (owners of residential rental property) and their agents charging applicants.
In force since
Jan 1, 2026
Figure period
until Dec 2026
The law, word for word
“In no case shall the amount of the application screening fee charged by the landlord or their agent be greater than thirty dollars ($30) per applicant …”
Berkeley tenant screening and application fee rules (BMC ch. 13.78)
How much can they charge me to apply?
About $69 per applicant in 2026, max.
California's cap grows with inflation each year.
Current version since
Jan 1, 2026
Figure period
until Dec 2026
The law, word for word
“the owner must provide, either in the rental application or in a separate disclosure before receiving the fee, a clear and conspicuous tenant screening fee rights statement and a statement of the maximum fee cap permitted under …”