California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is valid only if it reasonably estimates the landlord's actual loss from late payment; arbitrary penalty fees are unenforceable.
California has no statute setting a maximum late fee. Instead, a late fee is a liquidated-damages clause governed by Civil Code § 1671(d), which makes such provisions in residential leases "void except that the parties... may agree... upon an amount which shall be presumed to be the amount of damage sustained by a breach thereof, when, from the nature of the case, it would be impracticable or extremely difficult to fix the actual damage." California courts (e.g., Orozco v. Casimiro) have voided late fees that function as penalties rather than genuine estimates of the landlord's costs, such as administrative expense and lost use of funds. A fee unrelated to actual damages is unenforceable even if the lease recites it.
An unenforceable penalty late fee cannot be collected, and amounts already paid may be recoverable by the tenant. Relying on an unlawful penalty fee in an eviction can defeat the unlawful detainer if it inflates the rent demanded.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Isleton, CA
Isleton has no local airport and no aircraft noise ordinance. Federal Aviation Administration rules under 14 CFR Part 91 preempt local airspace regulation. D...
Isleton, CA
Isleton follows California AB 1346 banning new gas-powered leaf blower sales as of January 1, 2024. Existing gas blowers may still be used but only during da...
Isleton, CA
Isleton driveways must not block public sidewalks per California Vehicle Code 22500(f). Curb cuts and new driveway approaches require an encroachment permit ...
Isleton, CA
Isleton allows most common fence materials including wood, vinyl, chain link, metal panel, and masonry. The Historic District encourages traditional material...
Isleton, CA
Isleton does not require a building permit for residential fences at or below 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding 6 feet, retaining walls, or pool enclosures ...
Isleton, CA
Isleton generally allows up to 4 dogs and 4 cats per residential parcel under Sacramento County standards. Exceeding the limit requires a kennel permit and c...
See how Isleton's late fees & grace periods rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.