LOCAL RULES: CIVIL CODE 1954

California notice of entry requirements

Your California notice of entry has 2 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • Written notice with the date, approximate time and purpose, 24 hours ahead
  • Entry during normal business hours
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California lets a landlord into a tenant's unit only for the reasons Civil Code section 1954 lists, after reasonable written notice that names the date, the approximate time and the purpose. Twenty-four hours is presumed reasonable for a notice handed over or left at the door; a mailed notice should go out six days ahead. Here is each rule with a link to the code.

Last reviewed October 26, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Notice of entryCALIFORNIA / FREE CALCULATOR

Notice period and entry times

WhatWhenRule
Notice givenNovember 2, 2026 (attached to the door)Civil Code s. 1954 (b), (d) (1)
Earliest lawful entry without the tenant's consentNovember 3, 2026, at or after the time of day the notice was given (24 hours later)Civil Code s. 1954 (b), (d) (1)
Planned entryNovember 4, 2026: after the notice periodCivil Code s. 1954 (b), (d) (1)
Hours of entryDuring normal business hours, unless the tenant consents at the time of entryCivil Code s. 1954 (b), (d) (1)
What the notice must sayIn writing: the date, the approximate time and the purpose of the entryCivil Code s. 1954 (b), (d) (1)

Emergencies, an abandoned unit and the tenant's consent at the time of entry follow their own rules (listed on this page). A lease may give the tenant more notice; check it.

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What California requires

  • A landlord may enter only in an emergency; to make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors; to make the pre-move-out inspection; when the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the unit; or under a court orderCivil Code s. 1954 (a)
  • Except as the statute allows, the landlord gives reasonable written notice of the intent to enter, stating the date, the approximate time and the purpose; 24 hours is presumed reasonableCivil Code s. 1954 (d) (1)
  • The notice may be handed to the tenant, left with someone of suitable age and discretion at the unit, or left on, near or under the usual entry door where a reasonable person would find it; it may be mailed, and mailing at least six days before the entry is presumed reasonableCivil Code s. 1954 (d) (1)
  • Entry is made only during normal business hours, except in an emergency, after abandonment or surrender, or when the tenant consents at the time of entryCivil Code s. 1954 (b)
  • To show the unit to purchasers the notice may be oral, in person or by phone, if the tenant was told in writing within 120 days that the property is for sale; the landlord leaves written evidence of the entry inside the unitCivil Code s. 1954 (d) (2)
  • The tenant and landlord may agree orally to an entry for agreed repairs or services, with the date and approximate time within one week of the agreement; no written notice is then needed, nor in an emergency, when the tenant is present and consents, or after abandonmentCivil Code s. 1954 (d) (3), (e)
  • The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant; a significant and intentional violation of s. 1954 to influence a tenant to leave can cost a civil penalty of up to 2,000 dollars for each violationCivil Code s. 1954 (c) ยท Civil Code s. 1940.2 (a) (4), (b)

When a California landlord may enter

The code lists the reasons: emergencies, necessary or agreed repairs and services, showings to buyers, lenders, new tenants and contractors, the pre-move-out inspection, an abandoned or surrendered unit, and court orders. Outside an emergency, abandonment or the tenant's consent at the door, entry happens during normal business hours.

Giving the notice

The written notice states the date, the approximate time and the purpose. It can be handed to the tenant, given to a responsible person at the unit, or left at the entry door where it will be found; 24 hours is then presumed enough. Mailed notices are presumed reasonable at six days. For a sale, an oral notice can follow a written heads-up given within the last 120 days, and the landlord leaves a note inside after entering.

Agreed entries and harassment

A tenant can agree out loud to a repair visit within the next week, and no notice is needed in an emergency or when the tenant is home and says yes. Using entry to pressure a tenant to leave is unlawful: a significant, intentional violation can carry a penalty of up to 2,000 dollars per violation.

Common mistakes

  • Giving a mailed notice only a day or two ahead: six days is the presumed reasonable period by mail.
  • Leaving out the approximate time or the purpose.
  • Planning entry in the evening or on a weekend without the tenant's consent at the time.
  • Repeated, unnecessary entries that look like pressure to move out.

Sources

Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Next review due January 26, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.