California Eviction Notice Types: Which One to Use and When

California's eviction process begins with a legally compliant notice. Serve the wrong notice, use the wrong form, or miss a required element and your unlawful detainer case can be dismissed before it starts. This guide explains which notice to use, when to use it, and what must be included for each type.

The Four Main California Eviction Notices

California law requires different notices depending on the reason for eviction. Using the wrong notice type is a fatal defect. Here are the four primary eviction notices and when each applies.

1. Three-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit

Used when a tenant has failed to pay rent. The notice must state the exact amount of rent due (unpaid rent only — no late fees unless specifically permitted), the rental period covered, and where and how to pay. The tenant has three calendar days (excluding weekends and court holidays) to pay in full or vacate. If neither occurs, you may file an unlawful detainer. This is the most commonly used eviction notice in California.

2. Three-Day Notice to Cure or Quit

Used when a tenant has violated a specific lease term that can be corrected — such as having an unauthorized pet, unauthorized occupant, or conducting unauthorized business on the premises. The notice must identify the specific lease violation and give the tenant three days to correct it or vacate. If the violation is corrected within three days, the tenancy continues. If not, you may proceed with eviction.

3. Three-Day Notice to Quit (Unconditional)

Used for serious lease violations that cannot be corrected — such as illegal activity on the premises, significant damage to the property, or a second violation of the same lease term within 12 months. This notice gives the tenant three days to vacate with no option to cure. It is the most aggressive of the three-day notices and requires clear factual basis for the violation alleged.

4. Thirty-Day or Sixty-Day Notice to Quit (No-Fault)

Used to terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause. Tenants who have lived in the unit less than one year receive a 30-day notice. Tenants who have lived there one year or more receive a 60-day notice. Important: in jurisdictions with just cause eviction protections — including Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, and any property covered by AB 1482 — no-fault terminations require a legally recognized just cause reason and may require relocation assistance.

Rent Control Jurisdiction Rules

If your property is in a rent-controlled city, standard California eviction notice forms are not sufficient. Oakland requires RAP-specific language on all three-day notices. San Francisco requires compliance with the SF Rent Ordinance. Los Angeles has its own RSO requirements. Using a generic statewide form in a rent-controlled city will result in a defective notice and a dismissed case.

Get Jurisdiction-Compliant California Eviction Notices

Landlord Compliance Hub provides complete California eviction notice packages for landlords, property managers, and attorneys statewide. Our packages include all required notice types with jurisdiction-specific language for rent-controlled cities. Order online or call (510) 250-0946 ext. 207.