How to send a lease violation notice in California

In California, a lease violation notice may be delivered by hand delivery, substituted service, posting at the property; certified mail is not a listed method. The notice period is 3 days.

Last reviewed September 21, 2026 · Business research, not legal advice.

Requirement	California lease violation notice
Delivery method	Hand delivery, substituted service, posting at the property — Cortul also sends a First-Class copy.
Notice period	3 days (not counting Saturdays, Sundays or California court holidays)
Deemed received	When it is served
Notice must include	The breach, how to correct it, and the day the three days end; a curable breach must be offered the chance to cure (§1161(3); Civ. Code §1946.2(c))
If refused or unclaimed	keep the certified record.
Statutes	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §1161(3), §1162; Civ. Code §1946.2(c)

Step by step

Write the notice with every required element (the California template in Cortul already has them).
Verify the recipient's mailing address with USPS.
Serve it the way California law requires (hand delivery or posting at the property or substituted service); mail alone doesn't serve it. Record the service in Cortul, which also mails a First-Class copy.
Keep the mailing and tracking records, and your own record of any service you did yourself.
Calendar the deadline from the mailing date.