California Eviction Laws

California rules on eviction for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.

Short answer: 3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2)

The rules in California

Notice for unpaid rent	3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. It may be served any time within one year after the rent becomes due. A landlord may not issue a 3-day pay-or-quit notice when a housing inspector's written repair order has gone unabated for more than 35 days on a substandard unit (Civ. Code § 1942.4). After 12 months of occupancy, AB 1482 just-cause rules also apply (§ 1946.2). § 1161 was last amended by SB 611 (Stats. 2024, ch. 287), operative February 1, 2025. Source: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2)
Notice for lease violations	3-day notice to perform the lease covenant or quit, where the breach can be cured. Weekends and court holidays do not count. For a serious violation that cannot be cured (such as nuisance, waste, or illegal use), a 3-day notice to quit, counting every day. Where just cause applies (§ 1946.2), the landlord must first give written notice and an opportunity to cure a curable violation. CCP § 1161(3): a 3-day written notice, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the lease condition or give up possession; the tenant (or a subtenant, mortgagee or other interested person) can save the lease by performing within those 3 days. If the broken condition cannot be performed afterward, no notice demanding performance is required. CCP § 1161(4): assigning or subletting against the lease, waste, nuisance or unlawful use ends the lease on a 3-day notice to quit. Section as amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 287 (SB 611), operative Feb. 1, 2025. Source: Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(3)-(4); Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2
Lockouts & utility shutoffs	Prohibited when done to force the tenant out: willfully cutting utilities (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, elevator, refrigeration), changing locks, removing doors or windows, or removing the tenant's belongings. The tenant may recover actual damages plus up to $100 per day of violation, with a minimum of $250 per cause of action, and reasonable attorney's fees. Only the sheriff may remove a tenant, after a court judgment and writ. Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3

How an eviction case works in California

Eviction cases are heard in: Superior Court of California (unlawful detainer), in the county where the property is located.

Landlord serves a written notice: 3-day pay or quit, 3-day perform or quit, 3-day quit, or 30/60/90-day notice, with just cause stated where AB 1482 or local law applies
Landlord files an Unlawful Detainer complaint and the tenant is served with the summons and complaint
Tenant files a response (usually an Answer) within 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays (5 more court days if served by mail through the Secretary of State's address confidentiality program)
If the tenant answers, a trial is set (per the courts, usually about a month after the request); if not, the landlord can get a default judgment
Judgment for possession; landlord obtains a Writ of Execution and delivers it to the sheriff
Sheriff serves a Notice to Vacate giving the tenant 5 days, then performs the lockout

Landlords: how to evict a tenant in California — steps, costs, timeline and forms.

Eviction court and fees by county

Free calculators

Notice Deadline Calculator — Enter the date a notice was delivered and see the date it runs out under your state's law.

Templates

California Eviction Notice (Pay or Quit) — requirements and free draft

California vs. neighboring states

Eviction: California vs. neighboring states
State	Notice for unpaid rent	Notice for lease violations	Lockouts & utility shutoffs
California	3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. It may be served any time within one year after the rent becomes due. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2)	3-day notice to perform the lease covenant or quit, where the breach can be cured. Weekends and court holidays do not count. For a serious violation that cannot be cured (such as nuisance, waste, or illegal use), a 3-day notice to quit, counting every day. Where just cause applies (§ 1946.2), the landlord must first give written notice and an opportunity to cure a curable violation. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(3)-(4); Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2	Prohibited when done to force the tenant out: willfully cutting utilities (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, elevator, refrigeration), changing locks, removing doors or windows, or removing the tenant's belongings. The tenant may recover actual damages plus up to $100 per day of violation, with a minimum of $250 per cause of action, and reasonable attorney's fees. Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3
Arizona	5-day written notice of nonpayment stating that the landlord will terminate the rental agreement if rent is not paid within that time. Before an eviction is filed, paying all past-due rent plus a reasonable late fee set in a written lease reinstates the agreement. After filing, reinstatement also requires paying attorney fees and court costs. After judgment, reinstatement is at the landlord's discretion. A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)	10-day notice to cure a material noncompliance with the rental agreement. 5-day notice to cure a noncompliance with § 33-1341 that materially affects health and safety. A repeat of the same or similar violation allows a special detainer action 10 days after written notice. A material and irreparable breach on the premises (for example, illegal weapon discharge, assault, threatening, drug dealing, or serious property damage) allows a notice of immediate termination. A.R.S. § 33-1368(A)	If the landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts electric, gas, water, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the lease. In either case the tenant recovers the greater of up to two months' periodic rent or twice actual damages. A.R.S. §§ 33-1367, 33-1364(C)-(D)
Nevada	Written notice to pay rent or surrender by the close of business on the 7th judicial day after service (summary eviction). For rent reserved weekly or less where the tenancy has lasted 45 days or less: by noon on the 4th full day after service. NRS 40.253(1)	5 days' notice to perform the lease condition (cure) or surrender; if not cured within 5 days the tenant is guilty of unlawful detainer. If the violation cannot be cured, no cure notice is required. NRS 40.2516(1); NRS 40.251(1)(b)(2); NRS 40.254	Prohibited. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant, or willfully interrupts (or causes/permits interruption of) any essential item or service, the tenant may recover immediate possession, actual damages, and/or an amount up to $2,500 fixed by the court. NRS 118A.390
Oregon	Week-to-week: at least 72 hours' written notice, served no sooner than the 5th day of the rental period. Other tenancies: either at least 10 days' notice served no sooner than the 8th day of the rental period, or at least 13 days' notice served no sooner than the 5th day. Notice must state the amount due and the deadline to pay. ORS 90.394	At least 30 days' written notice. If the violation is curable, the notice must say so and give at least 14 days to cure. Repeat of substantially the same violation within 6 months: at least 10 days' notice, no cure right. Week-to-week: 7 days / 4-day cure / 4 days for repeats. ORS 90.392	If the landlord unlawfully removes/excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts utilities or essential services, the tenant may obtain an injunction to regain possession, or terminate and recover the greater of 2 months' periodic rent or twice actual damages; deposits and prepaid rent must be returned. ORS 90.375

City rules that may add to state law

More California rental law

Compare eviction in all 50 states and DC →

California Eviction Laws FAQ

How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in California?

3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. It may be served any time within one year after the rent becomes due. (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2))

How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in California?

3-day notice to perform the lease covenant or quit, where the breach can be cured. Weekends and court holidays do not count. For a serious violation that cannot be cured (such as nuisance, waste, or illegal use), a 3-day notice to quit, counting every day. Where just cause applies (§ 1946.2), the landlord must first give written notice and an opportunity to cure a curable violation. (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(3)-(4); Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2)

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in California?

Prohibited when done to force the tenant out: willfully cutting utilities (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, elevator, refrigeration), changing locks, removing doors or windows, or removing the tenant's belongings. The tenant may recover actual damages plus up to $100 per day of violation, with a minimum of $250 per cause of action, and reasonable attorney's fees. (Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3)

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.