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Eviction Notice Laws by State
We have verified eviction notice periods for 49 of 51 jurisdictions so far. Among them, the notice for unpaid rent runs from 3 days to 14 days. The rest are marked "Being verified" until their rules are cited. This is not legal advice: notice rules are strict, and a defective notice can sink the case.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Key takeaways
An eviction case usually starts with a written notice; the type of notice depends on the reason.
Notices for unpaid rent and for lease violations have different periods, and some count only business days.
Only a court can order a tenant out. The notice starts the clock; it does not end the tenancy by itself.
Cities and counties can add notice, just-cause and filing rules on top of state law.
This table is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a local attorney or court self-help center before serving a notice.
Eviction notice periods, all 50 states and DC
Select a column heading to sort. State names link to that state's page where one is published. "Being verified" means we have not yet cited every rule for that state, so we show its official sources instead of a number.
Statewide notice periods before an eviction for unpaid rent or a lease violation, by state, with the statute behind each row.
Pay or quit. For unpaid rent. The tenant can stop the case by paying in full within the notice period, where the state allows it.
Cure or quit. For a fixable lease violation, such as an unauthorized pet. The tenant can stay by fixing the problem in time.
Unconditional quit. For serious or repeated violations where the state allows no chance to cure.
No-fault termination. Ends a month-to-month or other periodic tenancy without a stated reason, where state and local law allow it. Each state's page lists its period.
Example, California: Before filing for unpaid rent, serve a written 3-day notice to pay rent or quit that excludes Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, states the exact rent owed (no late fees) and who/where/how to pay (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)). (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2))
Example, Alaska: For a material lease violation, serve a written 10-day notice to quit naming the breach; the tenancy continues if the tenant fixes it within the 10 days, but a repeat within six months allows a 5-day notice with no cure, and deliberate damage over $400 or illegal activity allows 24 hours to 5 days (Alaska Stat. § 34.03.220(a); § 09.45.090(a)(2)). (Alaska Stat. § 34.03.220(a)(1)-(2), Alaska Stat. §§ 09.45.090(a)(2), 09.45.105)
Counting and serving the notice
The period in the table is a minimum. Check whether your state counts calendar or business days, whether the day of service counts, and how the notice must be delivered. Some states require specific wording or extra information in the notice, and some cities require a copy to be filed. If any of this is unclear, get advice before you serve: courts dismiss cases built on a defective notice. Read our disclaimer for how to use this page.
How this table is built
49 of 51 jurisdictions are verified and shown with values; the rest are marked "Being verified".
Each row shows the unpaid-rent and lease-violation notice periods, read from the official statute or a state agency publication and linked in the row.
Every state carries its own last-verified date, shown in the table and on the state's page.
Research is AI-assisted and checked against the statute text. The data has not yet been reviewed by an attorney.
The table covers statewide law. Cities and counties can add their own rules, so check local ordinances too.