Official-source record · CA

California security deposit law

Find the general deposit limit, the small-landlord exception, and the return and itemization deadline. These two reviewed records link to California Civil Code § 1950.5.

Information, not legal advice. This page reports selected statute text; it does not apply the law to a specific lease, person, or dispute. Report a possible error

Record 01 Human checked

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in California?

General deposit limit

1 month’s rent

The general residential limit is one month’s rent in addition to first-month rent paid at or before initial occupancy.

Scope notes

A qualifying natural-person small landlord with no more than two rental properties totaling no more than four units may collect up to two months’ rent.
The small-landlord exception does not apply to a prospective tenant who is a service member.
The current cap rules do not apply to security collected or demanded before July 1, 2024.

See statute excerpt and verification dates

Source excerpt

“security … in excess of an amount equal to one month’s rent”

§ 1950.5(c)(1), (5), (6)

Authority: California Legislative Information
Human verified: Jul 29, 2026
Source checked: Jul 29, 2026
Confidence: High — direct statute text

Read the official source

Record 02 Human checked

What is California’s security deposit return deadline?

Return and itemization deadline

21 calendar days

The statute sets a 21-calendar-day period after the tenant vacates for the itemized statement and any remaining security.

Scope notes

The section contains detailed delivery, documentation, photograph, estimate, and multiple-tenant rules.

See statute excerpt and verification dates

Source excerpt

“No later than 21 calendar days after the tenant has vacated”

§ 1950.5(h)(1)

Authority: California Legislative Information
Human verified: Jul 29, 2026
Source checked: Jul 29, 2026
Confidence: High — direct statute text

Read the official source

Primary evidence

California Civil Code § 1950.5

Only official government sources support the published values on this page.

California Civil Code section 1950.5

California Legislative Information · Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(c), (h)

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DwellDocket. “California security deposit law.” Human verified Jul 29, 2026. https://dwelldocket.com/landlord-tenant/california/security-deposits/

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What this page does not cover

This page covers the two records above, not every security deposit question. It does not explain holding deposits, allowable deductions, deposit interest, or how to resolve a deposit dispute.

This record does not decide whether a statute applies to a particular property, lease, subsidy program, regulated unit, local rule, or factual dispute. It also does not reproduce every subsection. The linked official source controls.