Eviction Notice Periods by State
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that gives the tenant a set number of days to pay, fix the problem or move out. The length depends on the reason for the notice.
50 states and DC compared. Last checked .
Compare eviction notice periods
The table compares the statewide notice periods for unpaid rent, for other lease violations and for ending a month-to-month tenancy. Some cities add just-cause or longer notice rules.
51 of 51 shown
| Sources | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALAlabama | 7 days | 7 days | 30 days | |
| AKAlaska | 7 days | 10 days | 30 days | |
| AZArizona | 5 days | 10 days | 30 days | |
| ARArkansas | 3 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| CACalifornia | 3 days | 3 days | 30 days | |
| COColorado | 10 days | 10 days | 21 days | |
| CTConnecticut | 3 days | 15 days | 3 days | |
| DEDelaware | 7 days | 7 days | 60 days | |
| DCDistrict of Columbia | No fixed periodPre-filing notice of intent to file for nonpayment (only if at least $600 is owed); statute says at least 10 days before filing, but the required notice wording tells the tenant 30 days to pay | 30 days | No fixed periodNo landlord termination without a statutory cause (just-cause eviction law) | |
| FLFlorida | 3 days | 7 days | 30 days | |
| GAGeorgia | 3 days | No fixed periodNo statutory cure period; landlord must demand possession before filing | 60 days | |
| HIHawaii | 10 days | 10 days | 45 days | |
| IDIdaho | 3 days | 3 days | 30 days | |
| ILIllinois | 5 days | 10 days | 30 days | |
| INIndiana | 10 days | No fixed periodNo statutory notice or cure period for non-rent lease violations | 30 days | |
| IAIowa | 3 days | 7 days | 30 days | |
| KSKansas | 3 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| KYKentucky | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| LALouisiana | 5 days | 5 days | 10 days | |
| MEMaine | 7 days | 7 days | 30 days | |
| MDMaryland | 10 days | 30 days | 60 days | |
| MAMassachusetts | 14 days | No fixed periodNo statutory notice period; set by the lease (commonly a 7-day notice to quit) | 30 days | |
| MIMichigan | 7 days | No fixed periodNo fixed statutory period; termination under a lease clause, then a written demand for possession (24 hours for lease-based drug termination with police report) | 30 days | |
| MNMinnesota | 14 days | No fixed periodNo statutory pre-filing notice or cure period for lease violations (lease terms govern) | 30 days | |
| MSMississippi | 3 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| MOMissouri | No fixed periodNo statutory notice period; a demand for rent is required before filing a rent-and-possession action | 10 days | 30 days | |
| MTMontana | 3 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| NENebraska | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| NVNevada | 7 days | 5 days | 30 days | |
| NHNew Hampshire | 7 days | 30 days | 30 days | |
| NJNew Jersey | No fixed periodNo notice to quit required for nonpayment; landlord may file once rent is unpaid | No fixed periodWritten notice to cease, then one month's notice to quit if the violation continues | No fixed periodNo-fault termination not allowed for covered tenancies; good cause required (Anti-Eviction Act) | |
| NMNew Mexico | 3 days | 7 days | 30 days | |
| NYNew York | 14 days | No fixed periodNo general statutory period for unregulated tenancies; set by the lease (rent-stabilized units use a 10-day notice to cure under regulations) | 30 days | |
| NCNorth Carolina | 10 days | No fixed periodNo statutory notice period; eviction for breach only if the lease has a forfeiture (re-entry) clause | 7 days | |
| NDNorth Dakota | 3 days | 3 days | 30 days | |
| OHOhio | 3 days | 30 days | 30 days | |
| OKOklahoma | 5 days | 10 days | 30 days | |
| OROregon | 10 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| PAPennsylvania | 10 days | 15 days | 15 days | |
| RIRhode Island | 5 days | 20 days | 30 days | |
| SCSouth Carolina | 5 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| SDSouth Dakota | No fixed periodNo statutory pre-filing notice to quit (repealed 2024); an eviction action may be brought once rent is 3 days past due | No fixed periodNo statutory pre-filing notice to quit (repealed 2024); action available when the tenant's act or omission terminates the lease under its terms | 30 days | |
| TNTennessee | 14 days | 14 days | 30 days | |
| TXTexas | 3 days | 3 days | 30 days | |
| UTUtah | 3 days | 3 days | 15 days | |
| VTVermont | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | |
| VAVirginia | 14 days | 21 days | 30 days | |
| WAWashington | 14 days | 10 days | No fixed periodNo-cause termination not allowed; a periodic tenancy may end only for a statutory cause (e.g., 90 days' notice for owner move-in or sale of a single-family home) | |
| WVWest Virginia | No fixed periodNo statutory pre-filing notice required; landlord may petition for summary eviction when the tenant is in arrears | No fixed periodNo statutory pre-filing notice required for breach of a lease covenant or damage to the property | 30 days | |
| WIWisconsin | 5 days | 5 days | 28 days | |
| WYWyoming | 3 days | 3 days | No fixed periodNo statute specifies a notice period for ending a month-to-month tenancy |
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
What this means in practice
A notice is usually the first step, not the eviction itself. A landlord generally needs a court order before a tenant can be removed, and changing the locks or cutting utilities to force a tenant out is not allowed in most states.
Serve the notice the way state law requires, keep a copy and proof of delivery, and count the days carefully: some states skip weekends and holidays.
Tenants who receive a notice can often stop the process by paying or fixing the problem within the notice period. Local legal aid offices can explain the options.
Eviction Notice Periods: state by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent?
The most common period is also the shortest: 3 days, in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The longest is 14 days (Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and Washington). Some states count only business days, so check the rule for your state.
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy?
Most states require 30 days (35 jurisdictions). Periods range from 3 to 60 days.
Where is there no fixed notice period to end a month-to-month tenancy?
In the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Washington and Wyoming. Some of these require a legal reason (just cause) to end the tenancy; in others no statute sets a period.
Can a landlord evict without going to court?
Generally no. The notice starts the process, but a landlord usually needs a court order before a tenant can be removed. Lockouts and utility shutoffs to force a tenant out are prohibited in most states.