When does a 30-day notice apply in California?

For no-fault terminations when the tenant has lived in the unit LESS than 12 months. At 12+ months tenure, a 60-day notice is required. For AB 1482-covered units, the notice also needs a statutory just cause and (for no-fault grounds) relocation paid at or before service.

Can I serve a 30-day notice on an AB 1482-covered unit?

Only if the tenant has been in place fewer than 12 months. AB 1482's just-cause framework starts at 12 months. Even for under-12-month tenancies, some local ordinances (Santa Ana RSO, Sacramento TPRA, Pasadena, Oakland) apply just-cause from day one and a bare 30-day notice without just cause is unenforceable on covered units.

What must a 30-day notice include?

Tenant name(s), property address, effective vacate date (at least 30 days after service), statement that the tenancy is terminated, just cause if AB 1482 applies, statement of relocation if applicable, date, signature. Mailed service adds CCP §1013 time.

How do I serve a 30-day notice?

Personal service (best), substituted service plus mail, or certified mail. Mailed service adds 5 days. Document the service date and method.

What is the difference between §1946 and §1946.1?

Civil Code §1946 is the general month-to-month termination statute (30 days). §1946.1 covers terminations of tenancies under 12 months (30 days) vs 12+ months (60 days) for tenancies that began on or after January 1, 2007. Both must be followed alongside any AB 1482 just-cause requirement on covered units.

California 30-Day Notice to Vacate — When It Applies, Required Elements, Sample Format

TL;DR

30-day notice = tenant under 12 months in place. 60 days at 12+ months tenure. AB 1482-covered units (12+ months tenant) need a stated just cause plus relocation for no-fault grounds. Mailed service adds 5 days under CCP §1013.

When 30 days is enough

Civil Code §1946.1 requires 30 days when the tenant has lived in the unit less than 12 months. Above 12 months, 60 days. The calculation: total continuous tenancy at the same unit at the time of notice service.

When 30 days is NOT enough

If the tenant has been in place 12+ months, 60 days is required regardless of lease type. If the unit is AB 1482-covered and the tenant is at 12+ months, the notice also needs a statutory just cause — and for no-fault grounds, relocation paid at or before service.

If the unit is in a city with day-one just-cause (Santa Ana, Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, Pasadena), even under-12-month tenants need a just-cause stated on the notice. A bare 30-day for convenience is unenforceable on those units.

"For convenience" is not always available

Many California owners assume they can serve a 30-day for any reason on under-12-month tenants. That's true on AB 1482-covered units before the 12-month mark, but not on units subject to day-one just-cause ordinances. Verify the local framework before drafting.

Required elements

Tenant name(s), property address
Effective vacate date (at least 30 days after service)
Clear statement that the tenancy is terminated
Just cause if AB 1482 applies and tenant is 12+ months
Statement of relocation if applicable
Date, signature

Sample format (illustrative)

Sample — under-12-month tenancy, no AB 1482 just-cause required30-DAY NOTICE TO TERMINATE TENANCY TO: [Tenant Name(s)] PROPERTY: [Street Address, Unit, City, CA] You are notified that the tenancy at the above premises is terminated effective [Effective Date — at least 30 calendar days after service]. You must vacate the premises and surrender possession by that date. [If AB 1482-covered and just cause applies:] The just cause for termination is: [statutory ground] This notice is given pursuant to California Civil Code §1946.1. Dated: [Date] [Signature of Landlord or Authorized Agent]

Service

Personal service (best), substituted service plus mail (+5 days), or certified mail (+5 days). Document the date and method.

Common questions — 30-day notice

When does 30 days apply?

Tenant in place less than 12 months under §1946.1.

Does AB 1482 affect 30-day notices?

For 12+ month tenants on covered units, yes — just-cause and relocation required for no-fault. Under-12 months on covered units, just-cause not yet required at the state level (but local ordinances may differ).

What must the notice include?

Tenant name, address, vacate date, termination statement, just cause if applicable, relocation if applicable, date, signature.

How do I serve?

Personal, substituted plus mail (+5), or certified mail (+5).

§1946 vs §1946.1?

§1946 is the general statute (30 days). §1946.1 differentiates 30 vs 60 by tenure for tenancies beginning January 1, 2007 or later.

The California 30-Day Notice to Vacate. The shorter window — and when you don't get it.