California Commercial Lease Agreement Template

California rules built into this template

• California law: As required by Cal. Civ. Code § 1938, the landlord states that the premises have not undergone inspection by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp), unless the landlord gives the tenant a CASp report or disability access inspection certificate before the lease is signed. A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can inspect the subject premises and determine whether the subject premises comply with all of the applicable construction-related accessibility standards under state law. Although state law does not require a CASp inspection of the subject premises, the commercial property owner or lessor may not prohibit the lessee or tenant from obtaining a CASp inspection of the subject premises for the occupancy or potential occupancy of the lessee or tenant, if requested by the lessee or tenant. The parties shall mutually agree on the arrangements for the time and manner of the CASp inspection, the payment of the fee for the CASp inspection, and the cost of making any repairs necessary to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards within the premises. Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, the tenant pays the fee for any CASp inspection the tenant requests. The landlord will return any remaining the security deposit within 30 days after regaining possession (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.7). If the tenant is a "qualified commercial tenant" (a microenterprise, a restaurant with fewer than 10 employees, or a nonprofit with fewer than 20 employees) and gives the landlord the required written notice, additional rules apply to rent increase notices and to operating cost charges (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 827, 1950.9).
• Residential rules: most residential landlord-tenant protections, such as residential deposit caps and return deadlines, do not apply to a commercial lease, so the lease terms matter more.

What the Commercial Lease Agreement includes

1. Premises
2. Term
3. Rent
4. Late Payment
5. Security Deposit
6. Permitted Use and Compliance
7. Utilities and Operating Expenses
8. Maintenance and Repairs
9. Alterations and Signs
10. Insurance
11. Indemnification
12. Assignment and Subletting
13. Entry by Landlord
14. Default and Remedies
15. Early Termination
16. Surrender and Holdover
17. Notices
18. State Law
19. General Provisions
20. Governing Law

Frequently asked questions

What laws apply to a commercial lease in California?

As required by Cal. Civ. Code § 1938, the landlord states that the premises have not undergone inspection by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp), unless the landlord gives the tenant a CASp report or disability access inspection certificate before the lease is signed. A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can inspect the subject premises and determine whether the subject premises comply with all of the applicable construction-related accessibility standards under state law. Although state law does not require a CASp inspection of the subject premises, the commercial property owner or lessor may not prohibit the lessee or tenant from obtaining a CASp inspection of the subject premises for the occupancy or potential occupancy of the lessee or tenant, if requested by the lessee or tenant. The parties shall mutually agree on the arrangements for the time and manner of the CASp inspection, the payment of the fee for the CASp inspection, and the cost of making any repairs necessary to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards within the premises. Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, the tenant pays the fee for any CASp inspection the tenant requests. The landlord will return any remaining the security deposit within 30 days after regaining possession (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.7). If the tenant is a "qualified commercial tenant" (a microenterprise, a restaurant with fewer than 10 employees, or a nonprofit with fewer than 20 employees) and gives the landlord the required written notice, additional rules apply to rent increase notices and to operating cost charges (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 827, 1950.9).

Can a commercial landlord lock out a tenant?

Generally a landlord must recover possession through the court process, and some states, such as Texas, regulate when a commercial landlord may change the locks. The Standard lease says the landlord will not use self-help except as the law expressly permits.

What is the difference between the Standard and Professional Commercial Lease Agreement?

The Standard edition is a complete, state-aware Commercial Lease Agreement for common situations. The Professional edition adds longer clause coverage, schedules, and optional modules for more complex matters. You can preview either edition free before you pay.

Commercial Lease Agreement templates for other states

• Texas
• Florida
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• Michigan
• All states and countries