As of July 1, 2024, California landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. The deposit, minus any lawful deductions, must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days after move-out, or the landlord risks penalties of up to twice the deposit.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5, a landlord 'shall not demand or receive security... in excess of an amount equal to one month's rent,' on top of first month's rent, for both furnished and unfurnished units. A narrow exception lets a small landlord — a natural person (or LLC of natural persons) owning no more than two residential properties totaling four or fewer units — charge up to two months' rent. The deposit may be applied only to unpaid rent, cleaning the unit to its move-in condition, and repairing tenant-caused damage 'exclusive of ordinary wear and tear.' Within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating, the landlord must return the balance with an itemized statement; receipts must be attached when repair and cleaning deductions exceed $125.
Per Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(l), the bad-faith claim or retention of a deposit may subject the landlord to statutory damages of up to twice the amount of the security deposit, in addition to actual damages. Tenants typically pursue these claims in small claims court.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Daly City, CA
Daly City operates a residential preferential parking permit program under Municipal Code Chapter 10.40 in four zones near transit hubs (Zones A-D, including...
Daly City, CA
Daly City does not require fences to be set back from interior property lines, but fences in the front yard need City approval for visibility and utility cle...
Daly City, CA
Daly City's fence ordinance imposes no general material prohibitions on residential fences. Material rules apply only in special cases: 10-foot fences on non...
Daly City, CA
Daly City does not require all pets to be sterilized, but Municipal Code Section 6.04.280 charges a refundable $100 spay/neuter fee to redeem any impounded u...
Daly City, CA
No Daly City ordinance sets a fixed numeric limit on the number of dogs or cats per household. Under the countywide San Mateo County animal control program t...
Daly City, CA
Daly City Municipal Code Section 6.04.060 requires any animal on a public street, sidewalk, park, school ground, or other public or unenclosed property to be...
See how Daly City's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.