Veterans with full entitlement have no VA loan limit in California. With reduced entitlement, 2026 county limits in California range from $832,750 to $1,249,125 (Alameda County).
How VA limits work
Since 2020, the VA does not cap loans for borrowers with full entitlement. If you have an active VA loan, or a past one whose entitlement wasn’t restored (reduced entitlement), the VA guarantees up to 25% of the county limit minus the entitlement already used. Above that, you may need a down payment.
2026 county limits in California (reduced entitlement)
| County | VA / conforming limit | FHA limit |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Contra Costa County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Los Angeles County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Marin County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Orange County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| San Benito County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| San Francisco County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| San Mateo County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Santa Clara County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| Santa Cruz County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 |
| San Diego County | $1,104,000 | $1,104,000 |
| Ventura County | $1,035,000 | $1,035,000 |
| Napa County | $1,017,750 | $1,017,750 |
| San Luis Obispo County | $1,000,500 | $1,000,500 |
| Monterey County | $994,750 | $994,750 |
| Santa Barbara County | $941,850 | $941,850 |
| Sonoma County | $897,000 | $897,000 |
| Alpine County | $832,750 | $736,000 |
| Amador County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Butte County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Calaveras County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Colusa County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Del Norte County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| El Dorado County | $832,750 | $764,750 |
| Fresno County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Glenn County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Humboldt County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Imperial County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Inyo County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Kern County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Kings County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Lake County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Lassen County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Madera County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Mariposa County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Mendocino County | $832,750 | $546,250 |
| Merced County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Modoc County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Mono County | $832,750 | $776,250 |
| Nevada County | $832,750 | $649,750 |
| Placer County | $832,750 | $764,750 |
| Plumas County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Riverside County | $832,750 | $690,000 |
| Sacramento County | $832,750 | $764,750 |
| San Bernardino County | $832,750 | $690,000 |
| San Joaquin County | $832,750 | $678,500 |
| Shasta County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Sierra County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Siskiyou County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Solano County | $832,750 | $685,400 |
| Stanislaus County | $832,750 | $545,100 |
| Sutter County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Tehama County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Trinity County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Tulare County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Tuolumne County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
| Yolo County | $832,750 | $764,750 |
| Yuba County | $832,750 | $541,287 |
Source: FHFA 2026 conforming loan limits, which the VA uses as county limits; HUD CY2026 FHA limits. Not lending advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a VA loan limit in California?
Veterans with full entitlement have no VA loan limit in California. With reduced entitlement, 2026 county limits in California range from $832,750 to $1,249,125 (Alameda County).
What is the maximum VA loan for 2026?
No maximum with full entitlement. With reduced entitlement, the baseline county limit is $832,750, higher in high-cost counties.