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California Eviction Notice

Notice periods and service rules from the California statutes, with the section cited for each. Build the notice below and download a PDF.

1. Notice type and state

California: Pay rent or quit

3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due and the name, phone number and address of the person to pay (plus the usual days and hours they accept payment in person, or bank account details, or an existing electronic transfer method).

Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2) (checked 2026-10-13). All California rules

2. Who and where

Every adult on the lease.

Street, city, ZIP.

3. Notice details

Only past-due rent; check your state before adding fees.

Bank name and account, or an existing electronic transfer method.

4. Serving the notice

Goes on the proof of service.

Personal delivery; or, if the tenant is absent from home and work, leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion and mailing a copy; or, if neither works, posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the property, giving a copy to a person living there if one can be found, and mailing a copy. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162(a)

5. Sign

Deadline

Pick a service date

Pick the date you will serve the notice.

Still blank (prints as a line to fill by hand): tenant names, property address, landlord name, amount due, who to pay (name, phone and address), service date.

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NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT

State of California

To (tenants): ____________________ (tenant names)

and all other occupants in possession of the premises

From (landlord or agent): ____________________ (landlord)

Premises: ____________________________________

Date of notice: ____________________

You are hereby notified that rent is due and unpaid for the premises listed above. The amount now due is $__________.

Within 3 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after service of this notice, you are required to pay the full amount due or to vacate and deliver up possession of the premises. If you do neither, the landlord intends to terminate the rental agreement and may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the premises, the rent due, and any other amounts allowed by law.

Pay to: ____________________.

Pay in full or move out by the end of: ____________________

Landlord or agent signature
____________________
Date

Notice period: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2). Rules checked against the official statute on 2026-10-13.

Prepared with evictionnoticemaker.com. A template, not legal advice.

This is a template and general information, not legal advice. Local ordinances, rent control, subsidized housing and federal rules can change what you must do. Read the disclaimer.

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California eviction notice rules

Checked against California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) on 2026-10-13. Official source.

NoticeRuleStatute
Pay rent or quit3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due and the name, phone number and address of the person to pay (plus the usual days and hours they accept payment in person, or bank account details, or an existing electronic transfer method).The notice may be served any time within one year after the rent became due.A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving the notice (§ 1161(6)).Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)
Cure or quit3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease condition or give up possession.Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)
Unconditional quit3-day notice to quit for assigning or subletting against the lease, committing waste, maintaining a nuisance, or using the premises for an unlawful purpose. No chance to cure.Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(4)
Notice to vacate (landlord)At least 60 days if every tenant has lived there 1 year or more; at least 30 days if anyone has lived there less than 1 year.The abandoned-property statement required by § 1946.1(h) is added to the notice automatically.This notice may also be sent by certified or registered mail (§ 1946.1(f)).Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)
Notice to vacate (tenant)A tenant gives notice at least as long as the rent period (30 days for a monthly tenancy).Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)

How to serve an eviction notice in California

Personal delivery; or, if the tenant is absent from home and work, leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion and mailing a copy; or, if neither works, posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the property, giving a copy to a person living there if one can be found, and mailing a copy.

  • Personal delivery to the tenant
  • Substituted service + mail
  • Post and mail
  • Certified or registered mail (termination notices only)

Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162(a)

Before you serve

  • Many California tenancies are also covered by the Tenant Protection Act (Civ. Code § 1946.2) and local rent or just-cause ordinances, which can require a stated just cause and extra notice language. Check before you serve.

Compare with other states on the eviction notice periods by state table.

Frequently asked questions

How many days' notice for unpaid rent in California?

3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due and the name, phone number and address of the person to pay (plus the usual days and hours they accept payment in person, or bank account details, or an existing electronic transfer method). Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2).

How much notice does a California landlord give to end a month-to-month tenancy?

At least 60 days if every tenant has lived there 1 year or more; at least 30 days if anyone has lived there less than 1 year. Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c).

How much notice does a California tenant give to move out?

A tenant gives notice at least as long as the rent period (30 days for a monthly tenancy). Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b).

How is an eviction notice served in California?

Personal delivery; or, if the tenant is absent from home and work, leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion and mailing a copy; or, if neither works, posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the property, giving a copy to a person living there if one can be found, and mailing a copy. Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162(a).

Is this California eviction notice legal advice?

No. It is a template and a summary of the statute as we read it on the date shown. Local ordinances, rent regulation, subsidized housing and federal rules can add requirements. Talk to a licensed attorney or legal aid if you are unsure.

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Last updated · Written by the EvictionNoticeMaker editorial team and checked against the official state statutes cited on each page. Templates and general information, not legal advice.