As a business law attorney who has drafted and negotiated hundreds of commercial leases across California for over twelve years, I know how expensive it can be to have an attorney create a custom California commercial lease agreement from scratch. That's why I've created this comprehensive, attorney-reviewed California commercial lease agreement template that you can download and customize for free.
This commercial lease form California businesses trust complies with California Civil Code §§ 1930–1954 (commercial tenancies) and incorporates current 2025 requirements including proper disclosures, ADA compliance language, and CASp inspection references. Whether you're a landlord leasing office space in Los Angeles, retail space in San Diego, or industrial property in the Bay Area, this standard commercial lease agreement California template will save you thousands in legal fees.
A California commercial lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord (lessor) and a business tenant (lessee) for the rental of non-residential property. Unlike residential leases, which are heavily regulated by California tenant protection laws, commercial leases offer greater flexibility but still must comply with specific state requirements.
I've used variations of this exact commercial lease form California landlords rely on for properties ranging from small retail storefronts in Sacramento to large warehouse spaces in Ontario. The key difference between commercial and residential leases? Commercial tenants have far fewer statutory protections, making a well-drafted California commercial lease agreement PDF essential for protecting your interests.
California has unique requirements that generic national templates simply don't address. During my practice, I've seen out-of-state landlords use templates that were completely unenforceable in California courts because they missed critical provisions.
Here's what makes our California commercial lease agreement template different:
According to the California Department of Consumer Affairs and Civil Code § 1938, every commercial lease executed after January 1, 2017 must include specific language regarding disability access inspections. Our template includes this exact required disclosure.
Additionally, California Civil Code § 1950.7 governs security deposits for commercial leases, allowing landlords to collect up to two months' rent for unfurnished spaces (unlike residential limits). Source: California Department of Consumer Affairs.
Over my career, I've drafted every type of commercial real estate lease form. Here are the most common structures you'll encounter:
| Lease Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Lease | Tenant pays fixed rent; landlord pays taxes, insurance, maintenance | Office spaces, small retail |
| Modified Gross Lease | Tenant pays base rent plus portion of operating expenses | Most common in California multi-tenant buildings |
| Triple Net (NNN) | Tenant pays rent + property taxes + insurance + maintenance | Single-tenant industrial/retail properties |
| Percentage Lease | Base rent + percentage of tenant's gross sales | Retail spaces in shopping centers |
Our free California commercial lease agreement template includes options for all these structures with clear instructions on which sections to use.
After reviewing thousands of leases, these are the non-negotiable elements I've found cause the most disputes when missing:
Every commercial lease forms California landlords use must include this exact language:
"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 from obtaining a CASp inspection of the subject premises for the occupancy or potential occupancy of the lessee, if requested by the lessee. The parties shall mutually agree on the arrangements for the time and manner of the CASp inspection, the payment of the cost for the CASp inspection, and the cost of making any repairs necessary to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards within the premises."
Our template includes this disclosure in the exact format required by law.
I've designed this template to be both attorney-trusted and user-friendly:
Download Word Version (.docx) Download PDF Version
In my practice, these are the most expensive mistakes I see repeatedly:
Can I require a personal guaranty in California?
Yes. Unlike some states, California has no restrictions on personal guaranties for commercial leases.
How much security deposit can I charge?
For unfurnished commercial space, California allows up to two months' rent. For furnished, there's no statutory limit.
Do I need to provide notice before entering the premises?
Yes—California Civil Code § 1954 requires reasonable notice (24 hours presumed reasonable) except in emergencies.
Can I charge late fees?
Yes, but they must be reasonable. I've successfully defended fees up to 10% in court.
While our standard commercial lease agreement California template works perfectly for most straightforward leases, you should consult an attorney when:
Disclaimer: This California commercial lease agreement template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently, and your specific situation may require customized provisions. Always consult with a licensed California attorney before executing any commercial lease. I strongly recommend having an attorney review your completed lease, especially for high-value properties.
Ready to download your free California commercial lease agreement PDF? Click below to get started and protect your commercial real estate investment properly.
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Updated for 2025 California requirements. Last reviewed by California barred attorney November 2025.