Cal. Civ. Code § 250.402
Wearing Apparel; Bibles; School Books; Sewing Machines and Military Accoutrements to be Exempt
Operative Text
All wearing apparel of the tenant and his family, all Bibles and school books in use in the tenant's family, all sewing machines and other tools of trade used and owned by private families, and all uniforms, arms, ammunition and accoutrements of any commissioned officer or enlisted personnel of the National Guard or of the armed forces of the United States, shall be exempt from levy and sale on any landlord's warrant. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to exempt sewing machines kept for sale or hire.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.402, Pennsylvania law shields certain personal belongings from being seized and sold under a landlord's distress warrant. The protected items include a tenant's and their family's clothing, Bibles and school books in active use, sewing machines and other trade tools owned and used by private families, and the uniforms, weapons, ammunition, and equipment of National Guard members or U.S. armed forces personnel. Notably, sewing machines held for commercial sale or rental do not qualify for this exemption.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators pursuing rent collection through a landlord's warrant in Pennsylvania must recognize that 68 P.S. § 250.402 places specific categories of tenant property entirely off-limits for levy and sale. Compliant property managers ensure that any distress action avoids clothing, family Bibles, school books in use, qualifying trade tools, and military gear belonging to service members. Attempting to seize exempt items can expose a landlord to legal challenge, so careful identification of property subject to levy is a standard part of any lawful distress proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Pennsylvania's 68 P.S. § 250.402 gives tenants a legal shield protecting certain essential belongings—such as clothing, family Bibles, school books, trade tools, and military equipment—from being taken under a landlord's distress warrant. If a landlord attempts to levy on items that fall within these exempt categories, a tenant may raise the exemption as a defense in any related legal proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand how this exemption applies and what options exist when exempt property is threatened.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.