California Pay or Quit Notice (Late Rent) (2026): Requirements + Free Template Preview

Demand overdue rent within the state-required period or require the tenant to vacate the property.

The California rule

3 days minimum notice

Governing statute: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2) · Read the statute ↗

Special rule: 3 days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. Notice must state the exact amount due (no late fees).

Data version 2026.07.1, compiled July 2026. Verify with the current statute — laws change, and cities or counties may add stricter requirements.

Generate my California notice →Free preview · $12 to print · No subscription. Ever.

What a valid California nonpayment of rent (pay or quit) notice includes

  • • Full names of all tenants and the rental property address
  • • The landlord’s name and mailing address
  • • The exact amount of rent owed and the deadline to pay or vacate
  • • Service at least 3 days before the effective date (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2))
  • • A certificate of service recording how and when the notice was delivered — courts routinely ask for this

NoticeKit generates all of the above, computes your actual notice period, and warns you — citing Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2) — if your dates fall short of the California minimum.

Template preview

NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT

State of California — Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)

TO: [Tenant name(s)]

PREMISES: [Rental property address]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the rent for the premises described above is due and unpaid. You owe $[amount] and are required to pay by [date] or quit...

[Full notice continues: statutory reference, signature block, and certificate of service — generated in the wizard]

Other California notices

Rent Increase

30 days · Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b)

Lease Non-Renewal / Termination

60 days · Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)

Lease Violation (Cure or Quit)

3 days · Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)

Nonpayment of Rent (Pay or Quit) notices in other states

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

NoticeKit is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice. Notice periods shown reflect the main statutory rule as of data version 2026.07.1; tiers, exemptions, and local ordinances may change the requirement for your situation. Verify with the current statute — laws change.