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Santa Monica, CA Eviction Process & Notice Requirements 2026

Santa Monica landlords must give 3 days' notice for nonpayment before filing for eviction. Use the wrong notice type and the case gets dismissed — costing months of lost rent.

In Santa Monica, California, landlords must provide 3-day written notice for nonpayment before filing for eviction. Just cause is required for long-term tenants. The court process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from notice to judgment.

Key Takeaways — Santa Monica Eviction Process & Notice Requirements

  • Nonpayment notice: 3 days
  • No-fault notice: 30 days
  • Wrong notice: Case dismissed + months of lost rent

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Eviction Process & Notice Requirements in Santa Monica

Santa Monica landlords must follow California state law on eviction process & notice requirements. Understanding the specific rules, deadlines, and penalties can prevent costly violations.

3 days

nonpayment notice

30 days

no-fault notice

$300

typical filing fee

Santa Monica-Specific Rules

Santa Monica has local regulations that go beyond California state law:

Just cause eviction required for all covered units. Santa Monica allows eviction only for specific enumerated causes. Owner move-in evictions require relocation payments and are subject to strict conditions including a minimum 3-year owner occupancy requirement.

Penalty Warning

Violate California eviction process & notice requirements rules in Santa Monica and you could have your case dismissed. At Santa Monica's median rent of $2,903/month, even a single violation adds up fast.

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Eviction Process & Notice Requirements in Nearby Cities

Own properties in multiple cities? Rules may differ locally:

Culver City, CA
Pop. 39,041
Beverly Hills, CA
Pop. 30,974
El Segundo, CA
Pop. 16,445
West Hollywood, CA
Pop. 34,349
Inglewood, CA
Pop. 102,865

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How we researched this page: Eviction process & notice requirements rules are based on California state statutes. Rent data comes from HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026) for Los Angeles County. Last updated: August 2026.
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Reviewed by Rachid Abadli

Founder & CEO, LeaseBase · Sacramento landlord · Self-managing since 2019

LeaseBase is a property management platform — not a law firm. Consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

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