VA jumbo loan limits in California and Hawaii 2026 — no-down-payment ceiling
California and Hawaii have the highest VA loan limits in the country. For veterans with full entitlement, those limits don't apply — but for partial entitlement, county limit is everything.
Full vs partial entitlement — the distinction matters
Veterans who've never used VA, or who've sold every prior VA-financed property with entitlement restored, have FULL entitlement. They face no VA loan limit. Theoretically a $5M zero-down VA loan is allowed (lender overlays usually cap at $1M-$2M, but VA's rule allows it).
Veterans with PARTIAL entitlement have a prior VA loan still outstanding or otherwise unrestored entitlement. Their no-down-payment loan size is capped at the destination county's loan limit. Above that, they need to put down 25% of the overage.
2026 California high-cost county limits
| County | Loan limit |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,209,750 |
| Orange | $1,209,750 |
| San Diego | $1,209,750 |
| San Francisco | $1,209,750 |
| San Mateo | $1,209,750 |
| Santa Clara | $1,209,750 |
| Marin | $1,209,750 |
| Alameda | $1,209,750 |
| Contra Costa | $1,209,750 |
| Sonoma | $1,128,300 |
| Sacramento | $832,750 |
2026 Hawaii county limits
| County | Loan limit |
|---|---|
| Honolulu (Oahu) | $1,873,675 |
| Hawaii (Big Island) | $832,750 |
| Kauai | $1,082,950 |
| Maui | $1,275,000 |
Partial entitlement math example
Veteran with $112K of prior entitlement used (on a paid-off but not restored Texas home). Buying in San Diego at $1.5M. County limit = $1,209,750. Remaining entitlement at that limit = ($1,209,750 × 25%) - $112K = $190K. That's the guarantee. The down-payment requirement on the overage: 25% × ($1,500,000 - $1,209,750) = $72,562 down.
Common questions
How do I confirm my entitlement is full vs partial?
Request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA. Shows your entitlement amount and any restrictions. Available through ebenefits.va.gov or your lender.
Can I do a VA jumbo on a high-cost county property as primary residence?
Yes — owner-occupied is the only requirement. Vacation or investment doesn't fit.
What's the rate spread on VA jumbo vs VA conforming?
Typically 0.25%-0.50% above conforming. Pricing varies by lender and scenario.
Does the disability rating exemption help with VA jumbo?
Yes — the funding fee waiver applies regardless of loan size. On a $1.5M jumbo, that's $32K+ saved at close.
How Mike + Cornerstone help
I'm Arizona-based but I write VA jumbos in California and Hawaii regularly for AZ veterans relocating or buying second properties they'll occupy. We'll figure out your entitlement status first, then map the no-down-payment ceiling against your target market.
Talk to Mike first Get pre-approved
No pressure, no commitment. Free 20-minute consult. Mike will look at your scenario and tell you straight whether this works for you.