# California automatic renewal law

> California's automatic-renewal law for subscription businesses: 21 cited requirements (disclosure, consent, acknowledgment, notice windows, cancellation), effective dates and who can sue. Generated from Checkbox's legal catalog; pending attorney review.

> **Pending attorney review**
>
> Generated from Checkbox's legal catalog (version `2026.11.01.1`), drafted from the primary sources linked below. Last reviewed against sources on **2026-10-29**. No attorney has reviewed these entries yet, and this page is not legal advice.

## At a glance {#at-a-glance}

| | |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Consumers in California, wherever the business is located |
| Laws | California Automatic Renewal Law |
| Effective | 2010-12-01 (amended; latest change effective 2025-07-01) |
| Status | In force |
| Requirements in the catalog | 21 (4 with a notice window) |
| Private right of action | via general consumer law |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-29 |

Federal law applies on top of this: see [federal subscription law](https://checkbox.site/laws/federal).

## The law {#laws}

### California Automatic Renewal Law {#california-automatic-renewal-law}

- **Citation:** [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17600-17606](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=7.&title=&part=3.&chapter=1.&article=9.)
- **Effective:** 2010-12-01
- **Status:** In force
- **Verified:** 2026-10-29, official text read in full (confidence: high)

Clear and conspicuous offer terms next to the consent request; affirmative (and since July 2025, express affirmative) consent; retainable acknowledgment; online "click to cancel" for online sign-ups; trial (> 31 days, 3-21 days) and 1-year-term (15-45 days) notices; 7-30 day fee-change notice; annual reminder; same-medium cancellation; limits on save offers; consent records kept 3 years. Remedies: civil (UCL) remedies only (§ 17604); unconsented goods are gifts (§ 17603).

**Scope:** Consumers (personal, family or household purposes) in California. Exempt (§ 17605): CPUC/FCC/FERC-regulated or franchised services, Department of Insurance-regulated entities, alarm company operators, banks and other licensed financial institutions, and BEAR-regulated service contract sellers.

| Amendment | Effective | Change |
|---|---|---|
| SB 313, Stats. 2017, ch. 356 | 2018-07-01 | Free-trial disclosures and acknowledgment; online cancellation for online sign-ups. |
| AB 390, Stats. 2021, ch. 450 | 2022-07-01 | Trial/promo and 1-year-term notices; at-will online termination via prominent link/button or termination email. |
| AB 2863, Stats. 2024, ch. 515 | 2025-07-01 | Express affirmative consent, consent records, misrepresentation, expanded notice contents, same-medium cancellation, phone/voicemail rules, save-offer rules, 7-30 day fee-change notice, annual reminder (contracts entered, amended or extended on or after July 1, 2025). |

## Requirements {#requirements}

Each row is one obligation in the catalog, in plain English, with the provision it comes from. "Applies when" lists the conditions under which it applies (otherwise it always applies to covered offers). The ids are stable and match the [dataset](https://checkbox.site/laws/data) and Checkbox API results.

### At sign-up {#signup}

| Requirement | Applies when | Effective | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Present the automatic-renewal offer terms clearly and conspicuously, next to the consent request** Before the subscription is fulfilled, present the automatic renewal offer terms (§ 17601(a)(2)): that the subscription continues until the consumer cancels; the cancellation policy; the recurring charges (and, if the amount may change, that it may change and the new amount if known); the length of the renewal term or that the service is continuous; and any minimum purchase obligation — clearly and conspicuously and in visual proximity (for voice offers, temporal proximity) to the request for consent to the offer. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.1` | always | 2010-12-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(1); § 17601(a)(2)-(3)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Explain the post-trial price for free gifts or trials** If the offer includes a free gift or trial, the offer must clearly and conspicuously explain the price that will be charged after the trial ends, or the manner in which the subscription pricing will change when the trial ends. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.1.trial` | free trial | 2018-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(1) (second sentence)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Obtain affirmative consent before charging** Do not charge the consumer's credit or debit card or third-party payment account for an automatic renewal or continuous service without first obtaining the consumer's affirmative consent to the agreement containing the automatic renewal offer terms, including terms offered at a promotional or discounted price for a limited time. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.2` | always | 2010-12-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(2)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Obtain express affirmative consent to the automatic-renewal terms themselves** Obtain the consumer's express affirmative consent to the automatic renewal or continuous service offer terms (not merely to a purchase or to general terms of service). <br>`US-CA.17602.a.4` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(4)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Do not undermine consent with contradictory or distracting information** Do not include any information in the contract that interferes with, detracts from, contradicts, or otherwise undermines the consumer's ability to provide affirmative consent to the automatic renewal or continuous service. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.5` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(5)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Keep verification of consent for three years (or one year after termination, if longer)** Maintain verification of the consumer's affirmative consent for at least three years, or one year after the contract is terminated, whichever period is longer. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.6` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(6)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Do not misrepresent material facts, including that the plan auto-renews** Do not misrepresent, expressly or by implication, any material fact related to the transaction, including the inclusion of an automatic renewal or continuous service, or any material fact about the underlying good or service. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.7` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(7)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |

### After sign-up (acknowledgment) {#confirmation}

| Requirement | Applies when | Effective | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Send a retainable acknowledgment with the renewal terms, cancellation policy and how to cancel** Provide an acknowledgment, in a form the consumer can retain (e.g. email), that includes the automatic renewal offer terms, the cancellation policy, and information on how to cancel — including the cancellation mechanism required by § 17602(c). It may be sent after the initial order is completed. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.3` | always | 2010-12-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(3), (c)(1), (i)(1)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **For free gifts/trials, the acknowledgment explains how to cancel before being charged** If the offer includes a free gift or trial, the acknowledgment must also disclose how to cancel, and the business must allow the consumer to cancel, before the consumer pays for the goods or services. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.3.trial` | free trial | 2018-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(3) (second sentence)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |

### Before charges (notices and reminders) {#reminder}

| Requirement | Applies when | Effective | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Notice before a free trial or promotional price longer than 31 days ends** If the consumer accepted a free gift or trial lasting more than 31 days (or a promotional price lasting more than 31 days), send a notice 3 to 21 days before the trial/promotional period expires stating: that the subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled; the length and other terms of the renewal period; the amount (or range) and frequency of the charges; one or more ways to cancel; a link (or other electronic method) to the cancellation process if sent electronically; and the business's contact information. <br>`US-CA.17602.b.1` | free trial, trial ≥ 32 days | 2022-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(8), (b)(1)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Renewal notice for initial terms of one year or longer** If the consumer accepted an offer with an initial term of one year or longer that automatically renews unless cancelled, send the § 17602(a)(8) notice (renewal statement, renewal length and terms, amount/range and frequency of charges, cancellation methods, cancellation link if electronic, contact information) 15 to 45 days before it renews. <br>`US-CA.17602.b.2` | term ≥ 12 months | 2022-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(8), (b)(2)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Notice of material changes before they take effect** Before implementing a material change in the terms of an accepted automatic renewal or continuous service, give the consumer a clear and conspicuous notice of the change and information on how to cancel, in a retainable form. <br>`US-CA.17602.g.1` | always | 2010-12-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(g)(1), (i)(3)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Price-change notice 7 to 30 days in advance** For any change in the fee charged under an existing automatic renewal or continuous service (including changes the consumer previously agreed to), provide a clear and conspicuous notice of the fee change and retainable information on how to cancel no less than 7 and no more than 30 days before the change takes effect. <br>`US-CA.17602.g.2` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(g)(2), (i)(3)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Annual reminder of the subscription terms** Send an annual reminder to consumers under an annual automatic renewal agreement or continuous service agreement, in the medium that activated the subscription or the medium the consumer is accustomed to (telephone, mail, or email; phone, mail or any internet-based communication for in-person or voice sign-ups), disclosing the product or service, the frequency and amount of the charges, and how to cancel. <br>`US-CA.17602.h` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(h), (i)(4)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |

### Cancelling {#cancellation}

| Requirement | Applies when | Effective | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Offer a cost-effective, timely, easy-to-use cancellation mechanism and describe it in the acknowledgment** Provide a toll-free telephone number, email address, postal address (if the seller bills directly), or another cost-effective, timely and easy-to-use cancellation mechanism, and describe it in the acknowledgment. <br>`US-CA.17602.c.1` | always | 2010-12-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(c)(1)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Phone cancellation lines must be answered promptly; voicemail cancellations handled next business day** If cancellation is offered by toll-free number, answer calls promptly during normal business hours and do not obstruct or delay cancellation; if the consumer leaves a cancellation voicemail, process the cancellation or call back within one business day. <br>`US-CA.17602.c.2` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(c)(2)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Online sign-ups must be able to cancel online, at will, immediately ("click to cancel")** A business that lets consumers accept an offer online must let them terminate exclusively online, at will, and without further steps that obstruct or delay immediate termination, via either a prominently located direct link or button (in the account/profile or device/user settings) or an immediately accessible termination email formatted and provided by the business that the consumer can send without additional information. The business may require account login/authentication, but a consumer unable or unwilling to authenticate online must be able to cancel offline. <br>`US-CA.17602.d` | online sign-up | 2022-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(d)(1)-(3)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Save offers only with a continuously displayed "click to cancel" option** Retention offers or information about the effect of cancelling are not an obstruction only if the consumer can still cancel: online, any discount/retention offer must be shown together with a prominently located, continuously and proximately displayed direct link or button labelled "click to cancel" (or similar); by phone, the consumer must first be told clearly that they can complete cancellation at any time by saying "cancel". Once the consumer uses that option, the cancellation must be processed promptly. <br>`US-CA.17602.e` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(e)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Cancellation in the same medium used to sign up** Cancellation must be available in the same medium the consumer used to activate the subscription, or the medium in which the consumer is accustomed to interacting with the business. If the subscription was activated by phone, a retainable cancellation phone number must be available and clearly and conspicuously displayed on the website. <br>`US-CA.17602.f` | always | 2025-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(f)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| **Terms must allow online sign-ups to cancel online, at will and immediately** Consumers who accepted an automatic renewal offer online must be able to terminate exclusively online, at will, and without steps that obstruct or delay immediate termination. Terms that require a phone call, a letter, written notice or a notice period before cancelling conflict with that right. <br>`US-CA.17602.d.terms` | online sign-up | 2022-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(d)(1)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |

### Billing and records {#config}

| Requirement | Applies when | Effective | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Terms of service restate the automatic renewal offer terms** The automatic renewal offer terms (that the subscription continues until canceled, the cancellation policy, the recurring charges, the renewal term and how to cancel) must be presented clearly before the subscription is fulfilled. The Terms of service the consumer agrees to should state the same terms, so the contract does not silently differ from the checkout disclosure. <br>`US-CA.17602.a.1.terms` | always | 2010-12-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17601(b), 17602(a)(1)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |

## Notice windows {#notice-windows}

When each notice must be sent. A notice outside its window does not count, so schedule sends against the exact dates.

| Notice | When | Applies when | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice before a free trial or promotional price longer than 31 days ends | 3-21 days before the trial ends | free trial, trial ≥ 32 days | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(8), (b)(1)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| Renewal notice for initial terms of one year or longer | 15-45 days before renewal | term ≥ 12 months | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(a)(8), (b)(2)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| Notice of material changes before they take effect | any time before the price change | always | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(g)(1), (i)(3)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |
| Price-change notice 7 to 30 days in advance | 7-30 days before the price change | always | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(g)(2), (i)(3)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |

Several states use overlapping windows; one email can often satisfy all of them. See [free-trial notices](https://checkbox.site/docs/learn/free-trial-notices) and [price increases](https://checkbox.site/docs/learn/subscription-price-increases).

## Who can sue, and remedies {#enforcement}

**Private right of action:** Indirectly: private suits go through general consumer-protection law.

No private right in the ARL itself (Mayron v. Google, 2020): plaintiffs sue under the UCL, FAL and CLRA and must show economic injury; CLRA requires a 30-day demand letter before damages. Goods or services provided without the required consent are an unconditional gift (§ 17603); all civil remedies are available (§ 17604, with a good-faith-compliance safe harbor). Public enforcement by the district attorneys' task force (CART): penalties plus restitution (HelloFresh $7.5M). Typical class settlements $0.6M-$7.5M.

Recorded in the catalog: refunds or restitution, a 30-day notice-and-cure period.

Remedy figures come from the cited statutes and from public enforcement records summarized in Checkbox's litigation research; figures from secondary sources are marked "unverified" where they appear.

## Earlier versions {#earlier-versions}

Obligations the law replaced. They still apply to conduct before the date shown.

| Requirement | In force until | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Online sign-ups can terminate exclusively online (2018-2022 text) <br>`US-CA.17602.c.2018` | 2022-07-01 | [Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17602(c) (Stats. 2017, ch. 356; operative July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2022)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=17602.) |

## Check your subscription flow {#check}

Checkbox evaluates these requirements automatically: the sign-up page, the emails and the cancellation flow are checked against California's rules (and every other jurisdiction's) on every check. 26 machine checks cover this page.

- Free to start: [get test API keys](https://app.checkbox.site/sign-up) or connect the MCP server at `https://app.checkbox.site/mcp` from your coding assistant.
- Preflight a disclosure, a Stripe Checkout Session or an email before you ship: [preflight checks](https://checkbox.site/docs/preflight) (`--jurisdictions US-CA` limits a check to California's rules).
- Start from the [subscription compliance checklist](https://checkbox.site/docs/learn/subscription-compliance-checklist).

## Data and citation {#data}

This page is generated from the open [subscription law dataset](https://checkbox.site/laws/data) (catalog `2026.11.01.1`, CC BY 4.0), available as [JSON](https://checkbox.site/laws/data.json) and [CSV](https://checkbox.site/laws/data.csv). Cite it as: *Checkbox, "California automatic renewal law", checkbox.site/laws/california, catalog 2026.11.01.1 (last reviewed 2026-10-29).* Report an error: support@checkbox.site.

> **Not legal advice**
>
> A summary for builders, not legal advice. Requirements are drafted from the cited sources and are pending attorney review; laws change — check the catalog version and the source links, and have counsel review your final terms.