Landlord-tenant law

California Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for California.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

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Security Deposit Max
1 month's rent (AB 12, effective July 1, 2024). Exception: small landlords owning ≤2 properties with ≤4 total units may charge up to 2 months' rent
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 (as amended by AB 12)
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Deposit Return Deadline
21 days
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(g)
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Non-Payment Eviction Notice
3-day notice to pay or quit (judicial days, excluding weekends/holidays)
Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2)
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Month-to-Month Termination
30 days (tenancy < 1 year); 60 days (tenancy ≥ 1 year). Just cause required in cities with rent control or when tenant has lived there ≥1 year (AB 1482).
Cal. Civ. Code § 1946; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482)
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Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap; must be a 'reasonable estimate of actual damages' (liquidated damages standard under Cal. Civ. Code § 1671(d))
Cal. Civ. Code § 1671(d)
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Grace Period
No statutory grace period (late fee may apply day after due date if lease allows, but common practice is 3–5 days)
California specific notes

AB 12 (signed Oct 2023, effective July 1, 2024) reduced the deposit cap from 2 months (unfurnished) / 3 months (furnished) to a uniform 1 month. Deposits collected before July 1, 2024 under the old rules remain valid. AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) imposes just-cause eviction requirements and rent caps (5% + CPI, max 10%) for most rental units statewide built before 2005. Many cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley) have stricter local rent-control ordinances — always check local law.

FAQ

Common California landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in California?+
1 month's rent (AB 12, effective July 1, 2024). Exception: small landlords owning ≤2 properties with ≤4 total units may charge up to 2 months' rent. Governed by Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 (as amended by AB 12). Deposit must be returned within 21 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in California for non-payment of rent?+
3-day notice to pay or quit (judicial days, excluding weekends/holidays). Per Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161(2). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in California?+
30 days (tenancy < 1 year); 60 days (tenancy ≥ 1 year). Just cause required in cities with rent control or when tenant has lived there ≥1 year (AB 1482).. Per Cal. Civ. Code § 1946; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482). This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in California?+
No statutory cap; must be a 'reasonable estimate of actual damages' (liquidated damages standard under Cal. Civ. Code § 1671(d)). Per Cal. Civ. Code § 1671(d). Grace period: No statutory grace period (late fee may apply day after due date if lease allows, but common practice is 3–5 days). Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for California

Compare

See how California stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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