The following is a summary of pet deposit laws across the United States. Many states do not have a statute about charging a pet deposit. Therefore, the most common practice is for both parties (landlord and tenant) to agree. Some of the states that do not legislate pet deposits do not allow any collected fees to be non-refundable. If no limit is specified, than a reasonable amount is the most common practice.
| State | Summary | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Additional deposits, beyond the security deposit limit, are allowed for pets. | Reasonable |
| Alaska | No statute | Reasonable |
| Arizona | Non-refundable fee are allowed, the purpose of any non-refundable fee must be stated in writing to the tenant; all fees are refundable unless specifically designated as non-refundable. | Reasonable |
| Arkansas | No statute | Reasonable |
| California | Non-refundable fees are not allowed. | Reasonable and must be refunded unless there are deductions. |
| Colorado | No statute | Reasonable |
| Connecticut | No statute | Reasonable |
| Delaware | Additional pet deposits are allowed. | 1 month’s rent |
| District of Columbia | No statute | Reasonable |
| Florida | Non-refundable fees are not specifically addressed, but are customary. | Reasonable |
| Georgia | Non-refundable fees are not specifically addressed, but are customary. | Reasonable |
| Hawaii | Non-refundable fees are not allowed; only the first month’s rent and security deposit can be collected. | No separate pet deposit is allowed. |
| Idaho | No statute | Reasonable |
| Illinois | No statute | Reasonable |
| Indiana | No statute | Reasonable |
| Iowa | No statute | Reasonable |
| Kansas | Additional pet deposits are allowed. | 1/2 month’s rent |
| Kentucky | No statute | Reasonable |
| Louisiana | No statute | Reasonable |
| Maine | No statute | Reasonable |
| Maryland | No statute | Reasonable |
| Massachusetts | No statute | Reasonable |
| Michigan | No statute | Reasonable |
| Minnesota | No statute | Reasonable |
| Mississippi | No statute | Reasonable |
| Missouri | No statute | Reasonable |
| Montana | Non-refundable fees are not allowed. | Reasonable and must be refunded unless there are deductions. |
| Nebraska | Additional pet deposits are allowed. | 1/4 month’s rent |
| Nevada | Non-refundable fees are allowed; the purpose of any non-refundable fee must be indicated in the lease agreement. | Reasonable |
| New Hampshire | No statute | Reasonable |
| New Jersey | No statute | Reasonable |
| New Mexico | No statute | Reasonable |
| New York | No statute | Reasonable |
| North Carolina | Non-refundable pet deposits are allowed. | Must be reasonable |
| North Dakota | If there is a pet, the security deposit may be increased to a total of $2,500 or 2 month’s rent, whichever is greater. | $2,500 or 2 month’s rent, which ever is greater |
| Ohio | No statute | Reasonable |
| Oklahoma | No statute | Reasonable |
| Oregon | Non-refundable fees are allowed for reasonably anticipated landlord expenses as long as the fees are not excesssive. | Reasonable and not excessive. |
| Pennsylvania | No statute | Reasonable |
| Rhode Island | No statute | Reasonable |
| South Carolina | No statute | Reasonable |
| South Dakota | A security deposit exceeding the limit is allowed if special conditions pose a danger to the maintenance of the property and all parties agree. | Reasonable |
| Tennessee | No statute | Reasonable |
| Texas | No statute | Reasonable |
| Utah | Non-refundable fees are allowed; it is customary, though not specifically addressed in statutes, that the landlord must disclose in writing if any part of the security deposit is non-refundable when a written lease agreement is used. | Reasonable |
| Vermont | No statute | Reasonable |
| Virginia | No statute | Reasonable |
| Washington | Non-refundable fees are allowed; any non-refundable fees must be clearly indicated in the lease agreement as non-refundable. | Reasonable |
| West Virginia | No statute | Reasonable |
| Wisconsin | No statute | Reasonable |
| Wyoming | Non-refundable fees are allowed; the landlord must disclose in writing, before accepting the deposit, if any part of the security deposit in non-refundable, and the lease agreement must indicate this as well. | Reasonable |