24 hour notice to enter california is the rule that stops your landlord from walking into your home whenever they want. Under the 24 hour notice to enter california rule in Civil Code Section 1954, your landlord must usually give you written notice first, and 24 hours is presumed to be reasonable notice.
What 24 Hour Notice to Enter California Actually Says
The law is California Civil Code Section 1954. It was last amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 445 (SB 721), effective January 1, 2019. It sets out when a landlord may enter your unit. It also sets out how they must warn you first.
The 24 hour notice to enter california rule has two main parts. First, your landlord needs a lawful reason to come in. Second, they must give you proper notice. For example, fixing a leak is a lawful reason. However, “just checking on things” is not on the list. As a result, a surprise visit with no listed reason may break the law.
Here is how the 24 hour notice to enter california rule breaks down, piece by piece:
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed reasons to enter | Emergency; necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; necessary or agreed services; showing the unit to buyers, lenders, tenants, workers, or contractors; a move-out inspection under Section 1950.5(f); abandonment or surrender; court order; Chapter 2.5 purposes (starting at Section 1954.201); inspections under Health and Safety Code Section 17973 and following | 1954(a) |
| Time of day | Normal business hours only, unless you agree to another time at the time of entry | 1954(b) |
| Hand-delivered or posted notice | Must be in writing; 24 hours is presumed reasonable | 1954(d)(1) |
| Mailed notice | Mailed at least 6 days before entry is presumed reasonable | 1954(d)(1) |
| What the notice must say | Date, approximate time, and purpose of entry | 1954(d)(1) |
| Showing the unit to buyers | Oral notice allowed only if you got written notice of the sale within 120 days; 24 hours presumed reasonable | 1954(d)(2) |
| Oral agreement for repairs | Entry date must be within one week of the agreement | 1954(d)(3) |
| No harassment | Landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass | 1954(c) |
Who 24 Hour Notice to Enter California Covers (and Who It Does Not)
The 24 hour notice to enter california rule protects people who rent a “dwelling unit.” That typically means apartments, houses, condos, and rented rooms used as a home. The law does not carve out small landlords. As a result, a landlord with one rental must follow it too.
However, some situations need no notice at all. Section 1954(e) lists three. Your landlord needs no notice to respond to an emergency. They also need none if you are home and agree at the time of entry. Finally, they need none after you have abandoned or surrendered the unit.
Some California cities have their own rent or tenant protection rules. Those local rules may add more protections. The 24 hour notice to enter california rule is the statewide baseline. Check with your city’s rent board or housing office to confirm whether local rules apply to you.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
Under the 24 hour notice to enter california rule, the notice must be in writing in most cases. The landlord can hand it to you. They can leave it with someone of suitable age at your home. They can also leave it on, near, or under your usual entry door. It must be placed where a reasonable person would find it.
The word “presumed” matters. It means 24 hours is the starting point. However, either side can show evidence that it was not reasonable in a certain case. The law also does not define “normal business hours” in Section 1954. As a result, confirm the meaning for your situation with a local legal-aid office.
When your landlord shows the unit to buyers using oral notice, one more duty applies. They must leave written evidence of the entry inside your unit. For example, a note saying they came in counts. The 24 hour notice to enter california rule gives you a paper trail this way.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
Start by writing everything down. Keep every notice. Note the date and time of each entry, and who came in. Take photos of any notes left behind. For example, keep texts where your landlord says they are “stopping by.” Typically, a clear record helps most if the problem keeps happening.
Next, you can send a calm letter. Point to the 24 hour notice to enter california rule and Section 1954. Ask your landlord to give written notice with a date, time, and purpose. In most cases, a written request fixes the problem. Keep a copy of your letter.
Section 1954 itself does not list a dollar penalty. Other California laws may give you remedies for repeated entries or harassment. Check with a tenant attorney or a local legal-aid office before filing anything. If your landlord uses entry to pressure you to move, or you face an eviction, get legal help right away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord enter without notice if I am not home?
Only in the cases the law allows, like an emergency or after you abandon the unit. Otherwise, the 24 hour notice to enter california rule requires written notice first. A text may not meet the “in writing” rule, so ask a legal-aid office if you are unsure.
Do I have to let my landlord in if they gave proper notice?
If the reason is on the Section 1954(a) list and notice was proper, the landlord typically has a right to enter. However, you may ask for a different time that works for both of you. Get any new time in writing.
Is 24 hours always enough notice?
Under the 24 hour notice to enter california rule, 24 hours is presumed reasonable, not guaranteed. Either side can offer evidence that it was not reasonable. Mailed notice needs at least 6 days.
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Find Your State’s Exact Rules
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
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- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.