New California Laws Taking Effect in 2026: A Breakdown of What’s Changing

Hundreds of new laws approved by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom are set to take effect in 2026. These measures touch nearly every aspect of daily life, from housing and consumer protections to environmental rules and law enforcement practices. Below is a breakdown of some of the most impactful laws, listed clearly and individually.

BANNING CAT DECLAWING
Starting January 1, 2026, cat owners in California will be prohibited from declawing their cats under Assembly Bill 867. California becomes the largest state to ban the procedure, which involves amputating the first bone of each toe or severing tendons to prevent claw extension. Declawing will only be allowed when it is medically necessary to treat a health condition.

LANDLORDS MUST PROVIDE STOVES AND REFRIGERATORS
Under Assembly Bill 628, landlords will be required to provide working stoves and refrigerators in rental units beginning January 1, 2026. The law establishes these appliances as basic standards for habitable housing across the state.

GENDER-NEUTRAL BATHROOMS IN SCHOOLS
Starting July 1, 2026, all California public schools must have at least one gender-neutral restroom under Senate Bill 760. The law was originally passed in 2023, but implementation was delayed before being scheduled for 2026.

UPDATED PLASTIC BAG BAN
California’s plastic bag ban is expanding under Senate Bill 1053. Beginning January 1, 2026, grocery stores will no longer be allowed to provide thicker plastic bags that were previously permitted through a loophole. Stores will instead offer recycled paper bags. The ban does not apply to plastic produce bags or bags used to prevent food contamination.

FOOD DELIVERY PLATFORM REQUIREMENTS
Assembly Bill 578 introduces new consumer and worker protections for food delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash. The law requires full refunds if an order is not delivered or if the wrong order is received. Companies must provide access to a human customer service representative when automated systems fail and disclose an itemized breakdown of pay, tips, and bonuses for delivery drivers.

STREAMING SERVICE AD VOLUME LIMITS
Beginning in July 2026, streaming services will be prohibited from playing advertisements louder than the show or movie being watched. The rule aligns streaming platforms with existing FCC regulations that already apply to traditional television broadcasts.

PARKING TICKET FINANCIAL HARDSHIP RELIEF
Assembly Bill 1299 allows parking fines to be reduced or waived if a vehicle owner can demonstrate homelessness or financial hardship. The law also gives eligible individuals the option to request a payment plan.

POLICE AND ICE MASK BAN
Senate Bill 627 bans most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from wearing face coverings while conducting official duties in California. The law follows public backlash and protests over masked immigration enforcement operations across Southern California.

These new laws reflect California’s continued focus on consumer protections, environmental responsibility, housing standards, and civil rights as the state moves into 2026.

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