How much can they charge me to apply in San Francisco?
About $69 per applicant in 2026, max.
California's cap grows with inflation each year.
Why, and the exact law
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 …”
None of the provided San Francisco documents describe a local application or screening fee ordinance. The Rent Board pages cover rent increases, security deposit interest, relocation and just cause, and none of them mention screening fees. The state cap in Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6 governs application screening fees for SF units. I did not confirm that SF has no local rule beyond the provided documents.
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 …”