California’s 2026 conforming county loan limits for FHA, VA, Conventional and Jumbo loans

California’s 2026 Conventional Conforming County Loan Limit

For 2026, the FHFA (Federal Housing Finance Administration) set the baseline conforming loan limit (CCL) for 1 unit properties at $832,750 for Conventional financing (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) and up to $1,249,125 in California high cost counties.

What is a Conforming loan?  A conforming home loan must meet, or “conform” to certain criteria or guidelines set forth by Government Sponsored Entities (GSE’s) Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.  The loan amount is just one of those criteria needed to be classified as a ‘conforming’ loan.

What is a High Balance or ‘high-cost’ county loan limit?  Loan limits are derived by median home prices in a particular county and have a ceiling of 150% of the baseline mortgage limit.  Loan amounts between $832,750 and $1,249,125 are referred to agency ‘High Balance’ or ‘Super Conforming’ loans because they exceed the national baseline limit.  Fannie Mae Lender Letter.

You can view a map of the 2026 county loan limits here.

2026 FHA County Loan Limits in California

FHA determines their 2026 maximum county mortgage limit differently than FHFA.  The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) is required to set a single family floor and ceiling loan limit range, which is based on 65% to 150% of the national conforming loan limit.  Mortgaee Letter 2022-20

The FHA’s 2026 current floor is $524,225 and the ceiling is $1,249,125.

FHA High Balance Jumbo loan limit – California FHA loan amounts in high-cost counties between $524,225 and $1,249,125 are referred to FHA jumbo loans or FHA high balance loans.

2026 VA County Loan Limits in California

Good news….VA loans in California have no county loan limit for 2025!  In 2021, VA Circular 26-19-30, the VA announced that President Trump signed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act that removes all county loan limits for Veterans!

Loan limits listed below are for 1 unit properties.  Loan limits for 2-4 units are higher.  Contact me for details on qualifying and loan limits for 2-4 unit property.