California 30-/60-Day Notice to Vacate Template

When to Use a 30- vs 60-Day Notice

California’s month-to-month tenancy termination rules pivot on how long you have occupied the unit. If every named tenant and sub-tenant has lived in the dwelling for less than one year, a 30-day notice to vacate California satisfies Civil Code § 1946. Once the anniversary passes, the law upgrades the requirement to a 60-day notice to vacate California under § 1946.1—no exceptions for “good tenants” or partial years.

Fixed-term leases ending on a specific date do not need a separate notice unless the lease converts to month-to-month. Rent-controlled cities sometimes overlay additional timing: West Hollywood mandates 90 days for rent increases over 10 %, while San Francisco requires special forms for owner move-in. Always cross-check the rent-control rules in your city.

• Scenario 1: Tenant moved in eight months ago — landlord may serve a 30-day notice.
• Scenario 2: Tenant of two years — landlord must serve a 60-day notice unless an at-fault eviction reason applies (see eviction guide).
• Scenario 3: Fixed-term lease ending June 30 — parties can simply vacate or renew unless the lease auto-renews.

Unsure which length applies? Use our notice period calculator to confirm.

Drafting the Notice

A valid California notice to vacate template is simple: accurate facts, polite tone, and required elements. Courts want clarity, not legalese.

Include these items:

• Date: Today’s full date at top-right.
• Landlord & Tenant Names: Exactly as they appear on the lease. List every cotenant.
• Property Address: Unit number, city, ZIP.
• Termination Date: The last day you will possess the unit—<NoticeEndDate>.
• Civil Code Citation: “Pursuant to California Civil Code § 1946/1946.1.”
• Forwarding Address Request: To trigger timely security-deposit return.
• Signature: Original or digital if lease allows.

You may add a goodwill paragraph offering access for showings or stating willingness to cooperate on move-out inspection. Keep the letter to one page. For sample phrasing, review our sample letters library.

Legally Acceptable Delivery & Proof

California Code of Civil Procedure § 1162 establishes a hierarchy for serving legal notices:

1. Personal Service – hand the notice to the recipient.
2. Substitute Service + Mail – leave with an adult at the dwelling and mail a copy.
3. Posting + Mail – affix to door if no adult available, then mail.

Certified mail with return-receipt adds evidence, but personal service remains the gold standard. Always keep:

• Signed proof-of-service form (see template)
• Photos of the posted notice, if applicable
• USPS tracking printout

After service, mark the final vacate date in a calendar and schedule pre-move inspection (48-hour written notice). Count weekends and holidays as normal days—California does not extend the deadline if it falls on a holiday.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Miscounting Days: Use calendar days; confirm with the calculator.
• Wrong Tenant Names: Serve every adult occupant to avoid dismissal.
• Omitting Signature: Unsigned notices are void.
• Overlooking Rent-Control Rules: Some cities bar no-fault terminations; consult the rent-control guide.
• Retaliation Timing: Serving a notice within 180 days after a tenant files a repair complaint may violate Civil Code § 1942.5.

If you stumble, withdraw the defective notice and re-serve correctly— better a short delay than an eviction case dismissal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Tenant Resources

• Moving-Out Guide
• Sample Letters
• Notice Requirements
• Legal Aid
• All Resources

Legal References

Tenant Support Organizations