# Security Deposit Limits by State (2026)

[Renter guides](/renting/)

The maximum security deposit a landlord can collect, and the deadline to return it, in all 50 states and DC. Caps verified against state statutes, July 2026. City ordinances can add rules on top of state law.

    Maximum deposit and return deadline by state
    StateMaximum depositReturn deadline
    Alabama1 month (pet/risk add-ons allowed)60 daysAlaska2 months (+1 month pet)14 days if rent over $2,000/mo; 30 days with deductionsArizona1.5 months14 business daysArkansas2 months60 days (larger landlords)California1 month (since Jul 2024)21 daysColorado2 months30 days (lease may extend to 60)Connecticut2 months (1 month if tenant 62+)21 daysDelaware1 month (leases of 1 year+)20 daysDistrict of Columbia1 month45 daysFloridaNo statutory limit15 days; 30-day claim notice with deductionsGeorgia2 months (since Jul 2024)30 daysHawaii1 month (+1 month pet)14 daysIdahoNo statutory limit21 days (lease may set 30)IllinoisNo statutory limit (Chicago differs)45 daysIndianaNo statutory limit45 daysIowa2 months30 daysKansas1 month (1.5 furnished; +half-month pet)30 daysKentuckyNo statutory limit30 daysLouisianaNo statutory limit30 daysMaine2 months30 days (21 for at-will)Maryland1 month (since Oct 2024)45 daysMassachusetts1 month30 daysMichigan1.5 months30 daysMinnesotaNo statutory limit (Minneapolis: 1 month)21 daysMississippiNo statutory limit45 daysMissouri2 months30 daysMontanaNo statutory limit10 days; 30 with deductionsNebraska1 month (+quarter-month pet)14 daysNevada3 months (highest in the US)30 daysNew Hampshire1 month or $100 (whichever is greater)30 daysNew Jersey1.5 months30 daysNew Mexico1 month (leases of 1 year or less)30 daysNew York1 month14 daysNorth Carolina2 weeks / 1.5 mo / 2 mo (by tenancy type)30 daysNorth Dakota1 month (+pet: $2,500 or 2 months)30 daysOhioNo statutory limit30 daysOklahomaNo statutory limit45 days (after written demand)OregonNo statutory limit31 daysPennsylvania2 months year one; 1 month after30 daysRhode Island1 month20 daysSouth CarolinaNo statutory limit30 daysSouth Dakota1 month2 weeks; balance within 45 daysTennesseeNo statutory limit30 daysTexasNo statutory limit30 daysUtahNo statutory limit30 daysVermontNo statutory limit (Burlington: 1 month)14 daysVirginia2 months45 daysWashingtonNo statutory limit (Seattle: 1 month)30 daysWest VirginiaNo statutory limit60 days (45 if new tenant moves in)WisconsinNo statutory limit21 daysWyomingNo statutory limit30 days

General information, not legal advice. Legislatures amend these rules; confirm your state's current statute before acting. Missing the return deadline usually forfeits the landlord's right to deduct, and about 20 states add double damages; Texas, South Carolina, and Massachusetts allow up to triple.

## Get your deposit back

Read the full [security deposit guide](/renting/security-deposit-guide/) for the move-in photo routine, what landlords can deduct, and the demand-letter ladder when money does not come back.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which state has the highest security deposit limit?

Nevada, at 3 months' rent, the highest statutory cap in the country. California and New York are among the lowest at 1 month.

### Which states have no security deposit limit?

Roughly half the states set no statutory cap, including Texas, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. In those states the lease controls the amount, though deposits must still be reasonable.

### How fast must a landlord return my deposit?

It ranges from 10 days (Montana) to 60 days (Alabama, West Virginia). Most states require 14 to 45 days. Missing the deadline often forfeits the landlord's right to deduct, and many states add double or triple damages.

### Can a landlord charge more than the state limit?

No. The statutory cap is a ceiling; lease language demanding more is unenforceable. Some states allow add-ons for pets or furnished units within the stated rules.