California Civil Code 1946 is the state law that says how much written notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in California. If your letter cites California Civil Code 1946, the key number is this: a landlord usually must give you 30 days’ written notice, and 60 days if you have lived there a year or more, under the companion section 1946.1.
What California Civil Code 1946 Actually Says
A month-to-month rental has no end date. Under California Civil Code 1946, it simply renews at the end of each rental period. It keeps renewing until either you or your landlord gives written notice to end it. As a result, a spoken “you need to leave” is not enough.
The notice must be at least as long as the rental period, but it never has to be longer than 30 days. For example, if you pay monthly, a 30-day notice meets the basic rule in California Civil Code 1946. You and your landlord can agree in writing to a shorter notice period. However, it can never be shorter than 7 days.
For residential landlords, Section 1946.1 adds stronger protections. It looks at how long you have lived in the home. You can read the full text of Civil Code section 1946 and Civil Code section 1946.1 on the official Legislature website.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| How a periodic tenancy ends | It renews each period until one side gives written notice | Civ. Code 1946 |
| Basic notice length | At least as long as the rental period, but no more than 30 days | Civ. Code 1946 |
| Shorter notice by agreement | Allowed only in writing, and never less than 7 days | Civ. Code 1946 |
| Landlord notice, tenant here 1 year or more | At least 60 days | Civ. Code 1946.1 |
| Landlord notice, anyone here less than 1 year | At least 30 days | Civ. Code 1946.1 |
| Home being sold (limited exception) | 30 days, only if specific sale conditions are met, including escrow opened within 120 days | Civ. Code 1946.1 |
Who California Civil Code 1946 Covers (and Who It Does Not)
California Civil Code 1946 covers rentals with no fixed end date. This typically means month-to-month tenancies. It also covers week-to-week tenancies and fixed-term leases that turned into month-to-month tenancies when they ran out. In most cases, if you just keep paying rent monthly with no new lease, you are covered.
If you have a fixed-term lease, the lease itself usually controls when your tenancy ends. However, once it ends and you stay on month to month, California Civil Code 1946 and Section 1946.1 apply. The 30/60-day rules do not replace a 3-day notice for unpaid rent. That is a different kind of notice with its own rules.
Many California tenants have even more protection. A separate state “just cause” law and many city rent ordinances limit why a landlord can end your tenancy at all. For example, some cities require a stated reason or relocation money. Check with your city housing office or a local legal-aid office to see which rules cover your unit.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
Your landlord must give you the notice in writing. It must be delivered properly, either in person, by an approved substitute method, or by certified or registered mail. The notice should state the date your tenancy ends. Under California Civil Code 1946 and Section 1946.1, that date must be at least the required number of days away.
The length depends on your situation. If you and every other resident have lived there one year or more, your landlord typically owes you 60 days. If anyone has lived there less than a year, it can be 30 days. California Civil Code 1946 still sets the basic floor, so any written agreement for less notice cannot go below 7 days.
There is a narrow 30-day exception when a landlord sells a single home or condo to a buyer who will live in it. The landlord must meet several conditions, including opening escrow within a 120-day window. If your landlord claims this exception, ask for proof and have legal aid review it.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
If the notice is too short, not in writing, or not properly delivered, it may not legally end your tenancy. As a result, any eviction case based on it may be weak. You may be able to raise the defective notice as a defense in court. Many tenants in California can stay until a proper notice runs out.
Do not ignore court papers, though. If you are served with an eviction lawsuit, the response deadline is very short. Contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. Bring the notice, your lease, and your rent receipts.
You also have rights of your own. To end your own month-to-month tenancy, you typically give written notice at least as long as your rental period. For most renters, that means 30 days. A notice to end your tenancy may also come with a statement about getting back belongings you leave behind. Keep that statement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My landlord gave me a 30-day notice, but I’ve lived here three years. Is that legal?
In most cases, no. Under California Civil Code 1946 and Section 1946.1, a tenant who has lived there one year or more usually gets 60 days. However, there is a narrow exception for certain home sales, so have legal aid review your notice.
Can my landlord just tell me to leave out loud?
No. California Civil Code 1946 requires written notice to end a periodic tenancy. A verbal demand does not end your tenancy.
How much notice do I have to give if I want to move out?
Typically, you give written notice at least as long as your rental period. For a monthly tenancy, that is usually 30 days. Check your rental agreement in case you agreed in writing to a shorter period, which cannot be less than 7 days.
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Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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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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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.