California · Gym Membership Cancellation
How to Cancel Your Gym Membership in California
California has two complementary layers of gym cancellation protection. The Health Studio Services law (Cal. Civ. Code Section 1812.80 et seq.) provides a 5-business-day cooling-off period and specific cancellation rights (medical condition, relocation, club closure). California's Automatic Renewal Law (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 17601) requires gyms to clearly disclose auto-renewal terms and send advance notice before renewing, violations make the renewal unenforceable and entitle you to a full refund of post-renewal charges.
California gyms must give advance written notice before automatically renewing your membership, failure to do so makes the renewal void and entitles you to a full refund.
Cooling-off period
5 business days
Cal. Civ. Code Section 1812.80 et seq.
Last reviewed September 2026. Laws change, so check the linked statute before you rely on this.
Cancel rights after cooling-off
California gym members can cancel for any reason within 5 business days of signing for a full refund (contracts priced over $1,500 get a longer window, up to 45 days for contracts over $2,500, under Cal. Civ. Code Section 1812.85). After that, cancellation is allowed for: (1) medical/physical disability certified by a physician, (2) relocation 25+ miles from the nearest facility, (3) death of member, (4) club closure or substantial change in services.
Auto-renewal rule
Under California's Automatic Renewal Law (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 17601), gyms must clearly disclose auto-renewal terms and send advance notice before renewing contracts of over $5/month. Failure to provide proper notice makes the renewal unenforceable.
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Cites Cal. Civ. Code Section 1812.80 et seq. and your specific cancellation grounds. Formatted for USPS Certified Mail. Instant PDF.
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California Gym Cancellation FAQs
How do I cancel my gym membership in California?▾
Send a written cancellation notice to the gym via certified mail. If within 5 business days of signing (longer for higher-priced contracts), state you are exercising your cancellation right under Cal. Civ. Code Section 1812.85. If cancelling for a qualifying reason (medical, relocation, closure), include documentation and cite Section 1812.89. Keep the certified mail receipt.
Can I cancel my California gym membership at any time?▾
Within 5 business days of signing, yes (contracts priced $1,500 and up get a longer window, up to 45 days for contracts over $2,500, under Section 1812.85). After that, you need a qualifying reason under Section 1812.89 (medical disability, relocation 25+ miles, death) or Section 1812.85 (club closure or reduction in services). If the gym auto-renewed without proper notice, California's ARL makes that renewal void. You can cancel and demand a refund.
Do I need a lawyer to cancel my gym membership?▾
No for sending the cancellation letter. If the gym refuses a valid cancellation, you can file in small claims court (up to $12,500) or with the California Attorney General.
What if my California gym refuses to accept my cancellation?▾
File a dispute with your bank or credit card (chargeback) for any post-cancellation charges. File a complaint with the CA AG's consumer protection division. File in small claims court, the gym's non-compliance with the Automatic Renewal Law makes claims straightforward.
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Start My Cancellation Letter →Cancelling a specific chain? See exact steps for Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and more in the gym cancellation directory.
State gym cancellation laws change. Always verify current rules with your state AG or a consumer protection attorney. kweldoc is a document drafting tool, not a law firm.