California Notice to Vacate

A complete, formal notice to vacate (termination notice) for use in California residential tenancies. Governed primarily by Civil Code §1946.1 (notice periods) and, for covered properties, the just cause requirements of Civil Code §1946.2 (AB 1482 / Tenant Protection Act of 2019).

This form is distinct from a 3-day pay-or-quit or cure notice used in the eviction process. Use this for termination of a month-to-month (periodic) tenancy or at the end of a fixed term where required.

Key Rules (as of June 2026):
- If tenant has occupied for less than one year: 30 calendar days' notice.
- If tenant has occupied for one year or more: 60 calendar days' notice.
- For most multifamily properties covered by AB 1482 (generally buildings 15+ years old), just cause is required to terminate after the first 12 months of occupancy.
- No-fault just cause terminations on covered units usually require payment of relocation assistance (one month's rent or local amount) to the tenant(s).

Self-help evictions are illegal. Proper notice + court process is required to regain possession., -

NOTICE TYPE SELECTION (Quick Reference)

FORM 1, LANDLORD'S 30-DAY OR 60-DAY NOTICE TO VACATE (No-Fault / End of Tenancy)

DATE OF NOTICE: [[Date Notice Prepared]]

TO (TENANT AND ALL OCCUPANTS):
[[Tenant 1 Full Legal Name]]
[[Tenant 2 Full Legal Name]]
And all other occupants

OF THE PREMISES LOCATED AT:
[[Street Address, Apt/Unit #]]
[[City]], California [[ZIP Code]]

FROM (LANDLORD OR AUTHORIZED AGENT):
[[Landlord or Management Company Full Legal Name]]
Mailing address for notices: [[Landlord Notice Address]]
Phone: [[Phone]] | Email: [[Email]], -

NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to California Civil Code section 1946.1, that your tenancy of the above-described Premises will terminate and you are required to vacate and surrender possession of the Premises on or before [[Termination Date, calculated 30 or 60 full calendar days after proper service]].

Basis for notice period applied:
- Tenant has occupied the Premises for [[less than one year / one year or more]] as of the date of this notice.
- Therefore, [[30 / 60]] calendar days' written notice is given.

Reason for termination (if no just cause required):
[[e.g. "Landlord is terminating the month-to-month tenancy at the end of the notice period. No cause is required because the tenancy has been in effect for less than one year and/or the property is exempt from just cause requirements."]]

If you fail to vacate by the termination date, legal proceedings may be commenced to recover possession of the Premises., -

FORM 2, LANDLORD'S JUST CAUSE NOTICE TO VACATE (AB 1482 Covered Units)

Use this form when AB 1482 just cause applies (covered unit, tenant in possession 12+ months).

DATE OF NOTICE: [[Date]]

TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]] and all occupants at [[Full Premises Address]]

FROM: [[Landlord Full Legal Name]], -

NOTICE OF TERMINATION FOR JUST CAUSE

Under California Civil Code §1946.2, your tenancy is being terminated for the following just cause:

Check one and provide details:

At-Fault Just Cause:
- [ ] Non-payment of rent (note: often paired with 3-day notice)
- [ ] Material breach of lease after opportunity to cure
- [ ] Nuisance substantially interfering with other tenants or neighbors
- [ ] Waste or damage to the Premises
- [ ] Criminal activity on or near the property
- [ ] Refusal to execute a written extension or renewal of lease on same terms
- [ ] Assignment or subletting in violation of lease
- [ ] Other at-fault cause permitted by law: [[Describe with specific facts and dates]]

No-Fault Just Cause (relocation assistance required):
- [ ] Owner (or qualifying relative) intends in good faith to occupy the unit as primary residence for at least one year.
- [ ] Owner intends to withdraw the unit from the residential rental market (Ellis Act or local equivalent).
- [ ] Owner intends to substantially remodel or demolish the unit and the work cannot be performed with the tenant in occupancy.
- [ ] Compliance with a government order that requires the unit to be vacated.
- [ ] Other no-fault just cause permitted: [[Describe]]

Details and evidence:
[[Provide specific facts, dates, and supporting documentation references. For owner move-in: name of intended occupant and relationship; expected move-in date; prior good-faith attempts if required.]]

Termination Date: You must vacate the Premises on or before [[Termination Date, 30 or 60 calendar days after proper service, as applicable]].

Relocation Assistance (No-Fault): Within 15 days of service of this notice (or per local ordinance), Landlord will pay you relocation assistance in the amount of $[[Amount, one month's rent or local requirement]] or waive one month's rent. Payment method: [[Cheque mailed to Premises / E-Transfer / Other]].

If you do not vacate by the termination date, the Landlord will initiate unlawful detainer proceedings in court., -

FORM 3, TENANT'S NOTICE TO VACATE (Tenant-Initiated Termination)

DATE OF NOTICE: [[Date]]

TO (LANDLORD OR AUTHORIZED AGENT):
[[Landlord Full Legal Name or Company]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]

FROM (TENANT):
[[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
[[Current Phone]] | [[Email]]

RE: Notice of Termination, [[Property Address, Unit, City, CA ZIP]]

Dear [[Landlord Name or "Landlord"]]:

Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1946.1, I/we hereby give you 30 calendar days' written notice that I/we will vacate and surrender the above Premises on or before [[Vacate Date, 30 full days after proper service or delivery]].

I/we will return all keys, access devices, garage openers, and other property belonging to Landlord on or before the vacate date and will leave the Premises in a clean and rentable condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

Please forward my/our security deposit accounting and any refund to the following forwarding address:

[[Tenant Forwarding Address, City, State, ZIP]]

You may contact me/us at the phone or email above to schedule a move-out inspection or to discuss any other matters.

Sincerely,

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Printed Name: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Printed Name: [[Co-Tenant if applicable]], -

PROOF OF SERVICE (For Landlord Notices)

I served a copy of the attached Notice to Vacate on the tenant(s) named above as follows:

Date served: [[Date of Service]]
Time: [[Approx Time]]
Method (select one):
- [ ] Personal delivery to tenant: [[Name]]
- [ ] Substituted service: Left with [[Name/Relation, person of suitable age]] at the Premises; mailed copy same day to tenant at the Premises.
- [ ] Posting and mailing: Posted in conspicuous place on the Premises and mailed first-class to tenant at the Premises on [[Date Mailed]].

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed at [[City]], California on [[Date]].

Server Signature: _______________________________
Printed Name: [[Server Name]]
Capacity: [[Landlord / Property Manager / Authorized Agent / Registered Process Server]], -

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND LOCAL RULES

• Local Just Cause / Rent Control: Many cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, etc.) have their own just cause eviction ordinances that may require additional notice content, longer periods, or higher relocation payments. Always verify the property address against current local rules.
• Ellis Act Withdrawals: Additional procedural requirements apply.
• Senior / Disabled Tenants: Some local rules provide extra protections or longer notice.
• Documentation: Keep the original signed notice, proof of service, and any relocation payment records.
• After Notice: Do not accept rent that would create a new tenancy unless that is your intent., -

LANDLORD / AGENT CERTIFICATION

I certify that the information in this notice is true and that I have a good-faith basis for terminating the tenancy as stated.

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Date Signed]]

Printed Name: [[Landlord or Agent Full Legal Name]]
Title: [[Owner / Property Manager / Authorized Signer]]

*This is a template, not professional legal advice. All notice periods, just cause applicability, relocation amounts, and service methods must be confirmed against current California Civil Code sections 1946.1 and 1946.2, the Code of Civil Procedure, and any applicable local rent control or just cause ordinances for the specific property. Information current as of June 2026.*

Primary Sources:
- Civil Code § 1946.1 (notice periods for termination)
- Civil Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482 just cause)
- California Courts self-help unlawful detainer information
- Local city/county housing department ordinances

Enclosures (as applicable):
- [ ] Relocation assistance payment or waiver confirmation
- [ ] Supporting documentation for just cause (owner move-in intent letter, contractor bids for remodel, etc.)
- [ ] Copy of lease or rental agreement (if referencing terms)