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 …”
The documents show no Oakland-specific application or screening fee ordinance. The Oakland Rent Adjustment Program guide only says owners may charge a screening fee to cover credit-report costs, and it points to state law. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6 governs these fees instead.
The law, word for word
“property owners may charge
prospective tenants an application or screening fee to cover
the cost of obtaining a credit report and verifying the
information on the tenant’s application …”