Cal. Civ. Code § 30
Inspection of vacated property for presence of abandoned animals
Operative Text
Section 30. Not more than 3 days after a property owner or a lessor knew or should have known that a property has been vacated through termination of tenancy, abandonment or other removal or exclusion of a tenant from the premises under this chapter or chapter 186A, the property owner, lessor or a designee shall inspect the property for the presence of abandoned animals. If the property owner, lessor or a designee encounters an abandoned animal, that person shall immediately notify an animal control officer as defined in section 136A of chapter 140, a police officer or other authorized agent of the presence and condition of the animal. The property owner, lessor or a designee who encounters an abandoned animal under this section shall not be considered the owner, possessor or person having charge or custody of the animal under section 77 of chapter 272. For the purposes of this section, an animal shall be considered abandoned if it is found on or in a property vacated through termination of tenancy, abandonment or other removal or exclusion of a tenant from the premises under this chapter or said chapter 186A. If the property owner, lessor or designee fails to comply with this section, the lessor or property owner shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500 for a first offense and not more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense. Funds collected under this section shall be deposited into the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund established in section 35WW of chapter 10.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 30, once a property owner or lessor knows or reasonably should know that a rental unit has been vacated — whether through lease termination, abandonment, or a tenant's removal or exclusion — they have no more than three days to inspect the property for animals left behind. If an abandoned animal is found, the owner or their designee must immediately contact an animal control officer, police officer, or other authorized agent. Owners and designees who report and respond appropriately are shielded from liability as the animal's legal custodian, and those who fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses, with collected funds directed to the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 30 places a clear, time-sensitive obligation on property owners and lessors: a compliant operator conducts a walk-through of any vacated unit within three days of learning — or having reason to know — that the unit is empty following a tenancy's end. Operators who discover an animal during that inspection generally document the animal's presence and condition and promptly contact an animal control officer, local police, or another authorized agent rather than attempting to handle the animal independently. Maintaining records of when the vacancy was discovered, when the inspection occurred, and any notifications made can help demonstrate compliance and avoid the civil penalties this section authorizes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 30 primarily directs obligations toward property owners and lessors, tenants and animal-welfare advocates should know that this law exists to protect animals left behind after a unit is vacated. If a tenant or neighbor has reason to believe an animal was abandoned in a recently vacated unit and no inspection or notification appears to have occurred within the required window, they may report concerns to a local animal control officer or animal welfare organization, who have authority to investigate. Tenants or former tenants who believe a landlord has violated § 30 can also reach out to a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand what, if any, remedies or complaint processes may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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