Notices in San Rafael: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the San Rafael Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What San Rafael's code says

San Rafael code What San Rafael's code adds
What a notice must say	The name and address of the landlord where the landlord will accept service of process; the location of the dwelling unit; the total length of the notice prior to termination; the intended final date of occupancy; the monthly rent applicable upon delivery of the notice and, if applicable, the date on which the final monthly rent is due; the beginning date of the tenancy and monthly rent applicable at that time; and one applicable cause for termination. Applies: Notice of termination subject to this chapter § 10.105.050 · code text In addition to any information required by state or federal law, each notice of termination subject to this chapter must include the following information. The termination notice must be in the language the rental agreement was negotiated in. Applies: Rental agreement negotiated in a language other than English. § 10.105.050 · code text If the tenant's rental agreement was negotiated in a language other than English, then the landlord shall provide the notice of termination in the language in which the rental agreement was negotiated. A notice of tenant rights describing the mediation service and how to request it. Applies: When entering or renewing a lease and when giving a rent increase notice; a rent increase notice is invalid without it. § 10.100.080 · code text Landlords must provide to each tenant a notice of tenant rights under this chapter that describes the mediation service and how to request service. It may be printed conspicuously in the lease, rental agreement or rent increase notice, or given separately. Applies: For the notice of tenant rights. § 10.100.080 · code text The required notice may be printed conspicuously within the lease or rental agreement or notice of rent increase or may be provided on a separate form. The tenant-rights notices must be in the language the rental agreement was negotiated in. Applies: Rental agreement negotiated in a language other than English. § 10.100.080 · code text If the tenant's rental agreement was negotiated in a language other than English, then the landlord shall provide the notices required under this section in the language in which the rental agreement was negotiated.
Notice to end a tenancy	At least 120 days before the final day of occupancy. Applies: The landlord will permanently remove the unit from the rental market. § 10.105.060 · code text Each tenant household whose tenancy is terminated pursuant to subsection (C)(1) of Section 10.105.040 (landlord will permanently remove unit from rental market) must receive notice of the termination at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the intended final date of occupancy under the tenancy.

The California rule underneath

Where San Rafael's rule above does not cover a situation, state law still applies.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
Notice of a rent increase	At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% Applies: The 10% is measured against the rent charged at any time in the 12 months before the increase, counting all increases in that period together. Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord)	60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year Applies: Where the unit is covered by just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) or a local ordinance, the notice must also state a qualifying cause. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (tenant)	At least as long as the rental period (one month for a month-to-month tenancy) Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)
30-day notice when the unit is sold to an owner-occupant	30 days' notice when a separately sellable unit is in escrow to a natural person who will live there for at least a year Applies: Notice within 120 days of opening escrow, given once, and all § 1946.1(d) conditions met. Civ. Code § 1946.1(d)
Notice to pay rent or quit	3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, stating the amount due and how to pay Applies: May be served any time within one year after the rent became due. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)
Notice to cure a lease violation or quit	3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease term or leave Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)
No fee for serving notices	A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice Civ. Code § 1946.1(i)

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much notice does a San Rafael landlord have to give?

State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year. City rule: a rent increase notice is invalid without the notice of tenant rights describing the mediation service.

General information, not legal advice.

Notices in San Rafael

Key points

What San Rafael's code says

The California rule underneath

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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