Uncontested: 35–60 days · Contested: 75–180 days · Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12
The California eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.
| Uncontested eviction (after filing) | 35–60 days | Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 |
| Contested eviction (after filing) | 75–180 days | Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 |
| Pre-filing notice: Non-payment of rent | 3 days | CCP § 1161(2) |
| Pre-filing notice: Curable lease violation | 3 days | CCP § 1161(3) |
| Pre-filing notice: Incurable violation (nuisance, illegal use, substantial damage) | 3 days | CCP § 1161(4) |
| Pre-filing notice: No-cause termination, tenancy under 1 year | 30 days | Civ. Code § 1946.1 |
| Pre-filing notice: No-cause termination, tenancy 1 year or more | 60 days | Civ. Code § 1946.1 |
| Pre-filing notice: Just-cause no-fault (owner move-in, withdrawal, substantial remodel) | 60 days | Civ. Code § 1946.2 |
| Court filing fee | $240–$435 | Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 |
Right notice, right form, right service. 3 court days for non-payment or curable violation; 30 or 60 calendar days for the lawful no-cause endings. Personal service first, then substitute service after documented diligent attempts, then posted-and-mailed as a last resort. About a third of California UD filings die at this step.
After the notice period expires (and the tenant has not cured or vacated), file the UD complaint in the Superior Court for the county where the property sits. Filing fee runs $240 to $450 depending on amount in controversy. California has only Superior Courts for UD. No magistrate, no justice-of-the-peace.
Personal service by a registered process server, sheriff, or constable. Substitute service is permitted after documented diligent attempts; posted-and-mailed only if both fail and the court grants a posting order. Every attempt needs a dated, signed proof. Courts toss cases on sloppy service constantly.
After AB-2347, the tenant has 10 court days from service to file an answer (15 if served via the Safe at Home program). No answer means the landlord moves for default judgment, usually granted within a few days. An answer triggers a bench trial, typically same-day, often within 20 days of the request to set.
The court clerk issues the writ within 1 to 3 days after judgment. The sheriff posts the writ on the door and gives the tenant about 5 days to leave on their own. The sheriff returns to execute the lockout if needed. The landlord changes the locks the moment the sheriff says so. Not before. No matter how clearly the unit looks abandoned.
Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed California attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.
