What is the security deposit cap in California?

California: 1 month (2 months for natural-person small owners per 1950.5(c)(5)(A)).

How long does a California landlord have to return the security deposit?

California: 21 days with itemization.

What is the late fee cap in California?

California: Reasonable estimate of actual damages; no flat cap.

How much notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy in California?

California: 30 days under 1 year, 60 days over 1 year (AB 1482).

Does California have rent control?

California: 5% + local CPI, 10% max (AB 1482).

What is the security deposit cap in California?

California caps the security deposit at one month of rent. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in California?

California requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 21 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.

How much notice is required for a rent increase in California?

California requires 30 days of advance notice for smaller rent increases and 90 days for larger increases. California specifically: 30 days for increases under 10% and 90 days for increases of 10% or more (Civ Code Section 827(b)).

What is the late fee cap in California?

California does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.

How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in California?

California requires a 3-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.

How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in California?

California requires 60 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.

What mandatory disclosures does California require in a lease?

California leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Megan's Law registered sex offender notice; Bed bug disclosure (Cal. Civ. Code § 1954.603); Mold disclosure if known (Health & Safety Code § 26147); Demolition permit notice if applicable; Smoking policy disclosure (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.5). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.

Which California statute governs landlord-tenant law?

AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (max 10%) for covered properties, strengthened by SB 567 effective April 1, 2024 (stricter owner-move-in, substantial-remodel, and withdrawal-from-rental-market grounds). Just-cause eviction protections apply to tenancies over 12 months. City-level rent-control and tenant-protection regimes apply in San Francisco (Rent Ordinance, SF Admin Code Chapter 37), Los Angeles (Rent Stabilization Ordinance, LAMC Chapter XV), Oakland (Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance), Berkeley, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and other opt-in cities. AB 2801 adds photographic documentation requirements for security deposit deductions (effective 2025 in two stages). AB 2747 adds a positive-rent-reporting opt-in for landlords of more than 15 units (effective April 1, 2025). AB 414 extended the AB 12 small-owner carve-out to LLCs whose members are all natural persons (effective January 1, 2026). The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.

LeaseKit/States/California

California · Full coverage

California landlord-tenant law.

Quick-reference on California residential landlord-tenant rules, primary statute Cal. Civ. Code 1940-1954, AB 1482 (1947.12), AB 12 + AB 414. Below are every LeaseKit tool that applies to California: calculators, templates, free checklist PDF, blog guides, and frequently asked questions.

Recent changes

AB 414 renumbered small-owner carve-out to 1950.5(c)(5)(A) effective January 2026

Quick reference

California rules at a glance.

Deposit cap: 1 month (2 months for natural-person small owners per 1950.5(c)(5)(A))
Return deadline: 21 days with itemization
Late fee cap: Reasonable estimate of actual damages; no flat cap
Pay-or-quit notice: 3 days (CCP 1161)
Month-to-month termination: 30 days under 1 year, 60 days over 1 year (AB 1482)
Rent cap: 5% + local CPI, 10% max (AB 1482)

Templates, $29 each

California documents.

Residential lease

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Notice to quit

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Rent increase notice

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Move-out checklist

$29 signature-ready PDF →

Free calculators

Answer questions for free before the PDF.

Deep-dive articles

Written for California landlords.

Common questions

California landlord FAQ.

Top California cities

Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose. Local ordinances in major cities can add stricter rules (especially rent control, just-cause eviction, and inspection requirements). Always check the city code in addition to the state statute.

Honest limits

This is a quick reference, not legal advice. California landlord-tenant law changes year to year. Always verify the current statute text and any local ordinances before relying on this page for a specific dispute. For contested cases, consult a California-licensed attorney.

State-specific answers

What landlords ask about CA

What is the security deposit cap in California?: California caps the security deposit at one month of rent. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in California?: California requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 21 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in California?: California requires 30 days of advance notice for smaller rent increases and 90 days for larger increases. California specifically: 30 days for increases under 10% and 90 days for increases of 10% or more (Civ Code Section 827(b)).
What is the late fee cap in California?: California does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in California?: California requires a 3-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in California?: California requires 60 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
What mandatory disclosures does California require in a lease?: California leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Megan's Law registered sex offender notice; Bed bug disclosure (Cal. Civ. Code § 1954.603); Mold disclosure if known (Health & Safety Code § 26147); Demolition permit notice if applicable; Smoking policy disclosure (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.5). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
Which California statute governs landlord-tenant law?: AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (max 10%) for covered properties, strengthened by SB 567 effective April 1, 2024 (stricter owner-move-in, substantial-remodel, and withdrawal-from-rental-market grounds). Just-cause eviction protections apply to tenancies over 12 months. City-level rent-control and tenant-protection regimes apply in San Francisco (Rent Ordinance, SF Admin Code Chapter 37), Los Angeles (Rent Stabilization Ordinance, LAMC Chapter XV), Oakland (Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance), Berkeley, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and other opt-in cities. AB 2801 adds photographic documentation requirements for security deposit deductions (effective 2025 in two stages). AB 2747 adds a positive-rent-reporting opt-in for landlords of more than 15 units (effective April 1, 2025). AB 414 extended the AB 12 small-owner carve-out to LLCs whose members are all natural persons (effective January 1, 2026). The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.

California landlord-tenant law.

Recent changes

AB 414 renumbered small-owner carve-out to 1950.5(c)(5)(A) effective January 2026

Quick reference

California rules at a glance.

Deposit cap: 1 month (2 months for natural-person small owners per 1950.5(c)(5)(A))
Return deadline: 21 days with itemization
Late fee cap: Reasonable estimate of actual damages; no flat cap
Pay-or-quit notice: 3 days (CCP 1161)
Month-to-month termination: 30 days under 1 year, 60 days over 1 year (AB 1482)
Rent cap: 5% + local CPI, 10% max (AB 1482)

Top California cities

Honest limits

State-specific answers

What landlords ask about CA

What is the security deposit cap in California?: California caps the security deposit at one month of rent. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in California?: California requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 21 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in California?: California requires 30 days of advance notice for smaller rent increases and 90 days for larger increases. California specifically: 30 days for increases under 10% and 90 days for increases of 10% or more (Civ Code Section 827(b)).
What is the late fee cap in California?: California does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in California?: California requires a 3-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in California?: California requires 60 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
What mandatory disclosures does California require in a lease?: California leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Megan's Law registered sex offender notice; Bed bug disclosure (Cal. Civ. Code § 1954.603); Mold disclosure if known (Health & Safety Code § 26147); Demolition permit notice if applicable; Smoking policy disclosure (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.5). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.
Which California statute governs landlord-tenant law?: AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (max 10%) for covered properties, strengthened by SB 567 effective April 1, 2024 (stricter owner-move-in, substantial-remodel, and withdrawal-from-rental-market grounds). Just-cause eviction protections apply to tenancies over 12 months. City-level rent-control and tenant-protection regimes apply in San Francisco (Rent Ordinance, SF Admin Code Chapter 37), Los Angeles (Rent Stabilization Ordinance, LAMC Chapter XV), Oakland (Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance), Berkeley, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and other opt-in cities. AB 2801 adds photographic documentation requirements for security deposit deductions (effective 2025 in two stages). AB 2747 adds a positive-rent-reporting opt-in for landlords of more than 15 units (effective April 1, 2025). AB 414 extended the AB 12 small-owner carve-out to LLCs whose members are all natural persons (effective January 1, 2026). The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954; Civ. Code § 1950.5.