Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Last verified: · Confidence: high
How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in California?
Short answer
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy: 60 days (30 days if tenant has lived there under 1 year)
Notice: At least 60 days before the lease ends (30 days for occupancy under 1 year; 60 days for occupancy 1 year or more)
To end a periodic tenancy, give written notice at least 60 days before the termination date, or at least 30 days if every tenant has lived there less than one year. The notice must include the statutory abandoned-property statement.
"shall give notice at least 60 days prior to the proposed date of termination." leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
"shall give notice at least 30 days prior to the proposed date of termination if a tenant or resident has resided in the dwelling or occupied the property for less than one year." leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and court holidays) Verified
Deadline: After rent is late: 3 days' written notice (Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays excluded) before filing an unlawful detainer
Before filing an eviction for unpaid rent or a curable lease breach, serve a written 3-day notice; the three days exclude Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays. A rent notice must state the amount due and who to pay.
"three days’ notice, excluding Saturdays and Sundays and other judicial holidays, in writing, requiring its payment, stating the amount that is due," leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Notes: CCP §1161(2)-(3). Local law (e.g., Los Angeles) may add filing and threshold requirements.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Just cause after 12 months; no-fault termination requires one month's rent relocation within 15 days Verified
Deadline: When serving a no-fault termination notice: pay relocation (or waive the final month's rent) within 15 calendar days of service
After tenants have lawfully occupied the unit for 12 months, you need a just cause, stated in the written notice, to terminate. For no-fault causes (owner move-in, withdrawal, substantial remodel, government order) give relocation assistance equal to one month's rent within 15 days of service, or waive the final month's rent.
Who it covers: Tenant Protection Act (Civ. Code §1946.2). Exemptions include housing built within 15 years, owner-occupied duplexes, and properly noticed single-family/condo units. Areas with older or stricter local just-cause ordinances (e.g., Los Angeles) follow the local law instead.
"after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy." leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
"The amount of relocation assistance or rent waiver shall be equal to one month of the tenant’s rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the tenancy. Any relocation assistance shall be provided within 15 calendar days of service of the notice." leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Notes: Civ. Code §1946.2(a),(b),(d). Failure to strictly comply voids the notice.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy: 60 days (30 days if tenant has lived there under 1 year) Verified
Deadline: At least 60 days before the lease ends (30 days for occupancy under 1 year; 60 days for occupancy 1 year or more)
To end a periodic tenancy, give written notice at least 60 days before the termination date, or at least 30 days if every tenant has lived there less than one year. The notice must include the statutory abandoned-property statement.
Who it covers: Periodic tenancies. After 12 months of occupancy the Tenant Protection Act (or a stricter local law like LA's) also requires just cause stated in the notice.
"shall give notice at least 60 days prior to the proposed date of termination." leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
"shall give notice at least 30 days prior to the proposed date of termination if a tenant or resident has resided in the dwelling or occupied the property for less than one year." leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Notes: Civ. Code §1946.1(b),(c),(h). Served per CCP §1162 or by certified/registered mail.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction