All 50 states

Eviction Notice Requirements by State

Pay-or-quit notice periods for non-payment evictions, month-to-month lease termination notice (no-cause), and the governing statute for every US state.

Current as of May 2026. Reflects recent legislation (Colorado HB 24-1098, Washington HB 1003).

StateNon-Payment NoticeMonth-to-Month Termination
Alaska7-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Alabama7-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Arkansas3-day notice (civil unlawful detainer) OR 10-day notice (criminal eviction)30 days
Arizona5-day notice to pay or quit30 days
California3-day notice to pay or quit (judicial days, excluding weekends/holidays)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).
Colorado10-day notice to pay or quit (HB 24-1098, effective 2024; previously 3 days)21 days (tenancy 1–6 months); 28 days (6–12 months); 91 days with just cause (tenancy ≥ 1 year) — HB 24-1098
Connecticut3-day notice to quit (notice may not be served until rent is 9 days past due)3 days (no state statute, relies on common law for month-to-month)
Delaware5-day notice to pay or quit60 days
Florida3-day notice to pay or quit (judicial days, excluding weekends/holidays)15 days (for monthly tenancy)
GeorgiaDemand for possession (no mandatory notice period before filing; effective immediately upon default). Landlords with 10+ units must serve a written demand.30 days (landlord to tenant); 60 days for some lease types
Hawaii5-day notice to pay or quit28 days (tenancy < 1 year); 45 days (tenancy ≥ 1 year)
Iowa3-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Idaho3-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Illinois5-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Indiana10-day notice to pay or quit30 days (one rental period)
Kansas10-day notice to pay or quit30 days
KentuckyVaries by county (Kentucky does not have a statewide uniform notice period). Most counties accept a 7-day notice as standard practice.30 days
Louisiana5-day notice to vacate (pay or quit)10 days
Massachusetts14-day notice to pay or quit30 days (or one full rental period, whichever is longer)
MarylandNotice of intent to file for eviction served immediately (no mandatory cure period before filing; however, tenant may pay up through the date of judgment)60 days
Maine7-day notice to pay or quit30 days (landlord to tenant for month-to-month)
Michigan7-day notice to pay or quit30 days (one rental period)
Minnesota14-day notice to pay or quit30 days (one full rental period before last day of tenancy)
MissouriNotice of demand immediately upon default (no mandatory waiting period before filing). Missouri does not require a cure period — landlord may file for eviction the day after rent is due.30 days (one month)
Mississippi3-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Montana3-day notice to pay or quit30 days
North Carolina10-day notice to pay or quit7 days
North Dakota3-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Nebraska7-day notice to pay or quit30 days
New Hampshire7-day notice to pay or quit30 days
New JerseyNo mandatory pre-filing notice for nonpayment (landlord may file directly). Exception: landlords who habitually accepted late rent must give 30-day notice.30 days (one month)
New Mexico3-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Nevada7-day notice to pay or quit (AB 226, effective 2021 — extended from 5 days)30 days
New York14-day notice to pay or quit30 days (for tenancy ≥ 1 month but < 1 year); 60 days (tenancy 1–2 years); 90 days (tenancy > 2 years)
Ohio3-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Oklahoma5-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Oregon10-day notice (if rent is 8+ days late) OR 13-day notice (if rent is 5+ days late)30 days (tenancy < 1 year); 60 days (tenancy ≥ 1 year). Just cause required in many situations under SB 608.
Pennsylvania10-day notice to pay or quit30 days (no specific statute, based on common practice; some sources cite no statute)
Rhode Island5-day notice to pay or quit30 days
South Carolina5-day notice to pay or quit30 days
South Dakota3-day notice to pay or quit30 days (month-to-month); 15 days (week-to-week)
Tennessee14-day notice to pay or quit30 days
Texas3-day notice to vacate (pay or quit)30 days
Utah3-day notice to pay or quit15 days
Virginia5-day notice to pay or quit (after any applicable grace period)30 days
Vermont14-day notice to pay or quit60 days (if tenancy ≥ 2 years); 30 days (if < 2 years) — also requires valid statutory reason
Washington14-day notice to pay or quit (HB 1003, 2025 update: must include exact calendar pay-by date; certified mail must be USPS postmarked from WA; add 5 days if mailing)20 days
Wisconsin5-day notice to pay or quit28 days
West VirginiaImmediate (West Virginia allows landlords to initiate eviction proceedings without a mandatory pre-filing cure notice)30 days
Wyoming3-day notice to pay or quit30 days (no specific statute; follows common-law rule)
2024-2025 legislative updates

Recent changes

Colorado — HB 24-1098 (effective August 2024). Non-payment notice extended from 3 days to 10 days. Month-to-month termination for tenants over 1 year now requires 91 days notice plus just cause. This is one of the most material landlord-tenant law changes in recent years.

Washington — HB 1003 (effective July 2025). New formatting requirements for 14-day pay-or-quit notices. Must include exact calendar deadline date and be sent via USPS certified mail from within Washington state. Improper notices are dismissed without prejudice.

New York — Good Cause Eviction Law (2024). Applies to many non-rent-stabilized NYC units. Tenants can challenge rent increases above 10% (or CPI + 5%, whichever is lower) and can require landlords to renew leases except for limited just-cause reasons.

Common questions

FAQ

What's a 'pay-or-quit' notice?+
A pay-or-quit notice tells a tenant they have a set number of days (e.g., 3, 5, 7, or 14 depending on the state) to pay the past-due rent or vacate the property. If they do neither by the deadline, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit. This is the standard first step in any non-payment eviction in most states.
Are there states where you can file immediately without notice?+
Three states technically allow immediate eviction filing without a mandatory cure notice: Georgia, Missouri, and West Virginia. However, the practical standard in those states is to issue a 3-day demand letter first. Without one, judges often dismiss the case or grant the tenant time to pay before judgment.
Do I have to use a specific form for an eviction notice?+
Most states don't require a specific form, but they require specific content: tenant name, property address, amount owed, deadline to pay, statement of consequences. Washington (post-HB 1003) is unusual in requiring strict formatting. Always include a delivery method that creates proof (certified mail, posting + mailing, personal service). Use a template from your state's housing court or AG's office.
How long does the full eviction process take?+
After the notice period, eviction lawsuits typically take 2-8 weeks depending on court backlog and tenant response. Fastest states (TX, GA, FL): 2-4 weeks. Slowest (NY, CA, NJ, MA): 2-6 months. Plan worst case: 90 days from initial notice to physical removal. Always do thorough tenant screening upfront — eviction is the most expensive way to learn a tenant doesn't pay.
Does month-to-month notice apply to fixed-term leases?+
No. The 'lease termination notice' in our table is specifically for ending a month-to-month tenancy without cause. Fixed-term leases simply end on the lease end date; no termination notice required (though many states require notice of non-renewal). To break a fixed-term lease early, the landlord generally needs a just-cause reason (non-payment, lease violation, etc.).
Related

Other state references