California Eviction Notice
Create a proper California eviction notice — pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or termination — and download a print-ready PDF. Free, no signup. The preview updates as you type.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
What happens after the notice in California
If the tenant does not comply, the eviction moves to court. These are California’s own rules for that step, from the judiciary and the statute.
- What the case is called. In California an eviction lawsuit is a(n) unlawful detainer action. — California Courts Self-Help Guide, 'Give notice' (eviction-landlord/notice) ↗
- Where to file. If the tenant doesn’t comply with the notice, the landlord files in the Superior Court (in the county where the rental property is located). — California Courts Self-Help Guide, 'File the eviction forms (Summons and Complaint)' ↗
- How to serve the notice. Personal delivery; if absent, substituted service on a person of suitable age at residence/business plus mailing; if neither possible, posting in a conspicuous place plus mailing (CCP § 1162(a)). — Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162(a) ↗
- Filing fee. Statewide: usually $240–$450 depending on amount demanded (uniform Government Code fee schedule) — California Courts Self-Help Guide, 'File the eviction forms' – Pay a filing fee ↗
- Official guidance. California publishes its own instructions for the court step; read them before filing. — California Courts Self-Help Guide, 'The eviction process for landlords' ↗
- No self-help. Cal. Civil Code § 789.3: landlord may not willfully interrupt utilities, change locks, remove doors/windows, or remove tenant's property to force tenant out — Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3(a)-(b) ↗
Each point links to the California source it was taken from. Rules change; confirm before relying on them.
California notice periods · as of 2026
- Non-payment of rent
- 3 days
- Lease violation (cure)
- 3 days
- End month-to-month
- 30 days
Source: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1 · verify ↗. Using the wrong number can void the notice — confirm the current rule before you serve it.
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Types of eviction notice
- Pay or quit — for unpaid rent: pay by the deadline or move out.
- Cure or quit — for a lease violation: fix it by the deadline or move out.
- Unconditional / termination — to end a month-to-month tenancy or for serious violations.
California notice period & service
The number of days and how you must deliver the notice are set by California law — get both right, keep proof of service, and never lock out or remove a tenant yourself. Check the current California eviction rules before serving.
If the tenant moves out still owing rent, the notice won’t collect it. Put the amount and a deadline in writing with a California demand letter for payment; if it’s ignored, you can file in California small claims court, where the limit is $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (entities).
Frequently asked questions
How many days notice do I have to give in California?
In California, a non-payment (pay-or-quit) notice must give the tenant 3 days to pay or leave (as of 2026). Source: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1. Notice periods for lease violations or ending a tenancy differ — see the box on this page and confirm current law before serving.
How do I serve the notice in California?
States set rules for delivery — often personal delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, and/or mailing a copy. Keep proof of how and when you served it. Improper service is a common reason eviction cases get dismissed, so follow California’s method carefully.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not always for the notice itself, but eviction is technical and a small mistake can restart the clock. For contested cases, commercial properties, or if the tenant has an attorney, it’s worth consulting a landlord-tenant lawyer in California.
Where does a landlord file an eviction case in California?
If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord files in the Superior Court (in the county where the rental property is located) (the case is called a(n) unlawful detainer action). Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, 'File the eviction forms (Summons and Complaint)'.
How must an eviction notice be served in California?
Personal delivery; if absent, substituted service on a person of suitable age at residence/business plus mailing; if neither possible, posting in a conspicuous place plus mailing (CCP § 1162(a)). Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162(a).
What does it cost to file an eviction in California?
Statewide: usually $240–$450 depending on amount demanded (uniform Government Code fee schedule) Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, 'File the eviction forms' – Pay a filing fee.
How does California compare? See the notice periods in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute. Not sure which notice applies? Try the 2-question wizard.
What comes after the notice? The California eviction timeline dates every step, from filing to the writ of possession.
How California compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for California: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1 ↗.
- Notice to pay rent or quit
Notice to pay rent or quit: 3 days — below the national median of 5 days across the 47 states with a statutory rule.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 15 other states.
Notice to pay rent or quit in neighboring states — Arizona (5 days), Nevada (7 days), Oregon (10 days). California's 3 days is the shortest among its neighbors.
- Notice to cure a lease violation
Notice to cure a lease violation: 3 days — well under the national median of 14 days across the 38 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #35 of 38 states (tied with 3) — higher means more time to fix the violation.
3 other states use the same figure.
Notice to cure a lease violation in neighboring states — Arizona (10 days), Nevada (5 days), Oregon (30 days). California's 3 days is the shortest among its neighbors.
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 36 other states.
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in neighboring states — Arizona (30 days), Nevada (30 days), Oregon (30 days). Every neighboring state with a rule matches California.
The rest of what California requires
The figures below are California's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full California page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 21 days after move-out Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (entities) Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221 ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court) · filing fee $30 (claims up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500.01-$5,000) / $75 (over $5,000); $100 flat for frequent filers with more than 12 claims in the prior 12 months (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230) Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Capped at $30 per applicant, CPI-adjustable annually since 1998 California Legislative Information ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required California DMV (Form REG 135) ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required Cal. Prob. Code §4121 (form §4401) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Required by statute Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.02(s) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Recorder · no witnesses Cal. Civ. Code § 1091 ↗
Eviction notice in other states
More California legal forms
Different state? See eviction notices by state →