California bill shielding tenants from declawing, devocalization penalties signed into law

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1229 Wednesday, which prohibits landlords from refusing occupancy to a potential tenant with pets that are not declawed or devocalized. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, and co-sponsored by the Paw Project and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, recently passed in the State Senate by a unanimous vote of 37 to 0.

The new law also makes it illegal for landlords to advertise properties in such a way that discourages potential tenants from applying if their animals are not declawed or devocalized. The law will impose a civil penalty of $1,000 per pet for any person found in violation of these provisions. The measure does not stop landlords from enforcing “no pets” policies.