2026 eviction process in Sacramento County: costs, timeline, and one flat fee
Sacramento evictions run through Superior Court. Here is what it should cost, as an estimate, and how long it can take.
Your eviction dates in Sacramento County
Pick a day and every step gets its date for Sacramento County.
Dates set by law are counted from the day you pick by the same calculator that runs our cases. Court holidays are not counted here. Dates marked typical are set by the court and the constable or sheriff and vary. No result or date is guaranteed; your attorney confirms every date on your case.
Which notice do you serve in Sacramento County?
1. Why are you evicting?
2. Is the property’s mortgage federally backed (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA)?
General information from the rules our attorneys work by, not legal advice for your case. A lease, a local ordinance or federal housing assistance can change the notice. Your attorney confirms the notice before it is served.
What Sacramento County charges
| Court charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing & citation/service | $240 |
| Writ of possession | $40 |
| Sheriff lockout | $180 |
Not in these figures: where more than $10,000 is demanded the court's filing fee is higher, $385 up to $35,000 (Riverside $410, San Bernardino $395) and more above that.
Set by the court, not by us. Estimated here and billed at the amount charged. Statutes: Code Civ. Proc. § 1161 et seq.; Civ. Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482).
The California timeline
The California calendar, day by day
AB 1482 just-cause screening runs before any notice is selected.
- Day 0USNotice servedSET BY LAW3-day notice. Weekends and judicial holidays are excluded from the count itself - a frequent DIY defect.CCP 1161(2)-(3)
- Day 5USNotice expiresSET BY LAWThree countable days later. Our engine counts them; you do not.CCP 1161
- Day 6USComplaint filed & servedCOURT’S CALENDARSummons and complaint filed in your county and served on the tenant.
- Day 18COURTAnswer dueSET BY LAW10 court days after service - court days, not calendar days (15 if served by mail).AB 2347 / CCP 1167
- Day 25USJudgmentCOURT’S CALENDARNo answer means we request judgment by default after CARES Act and SCRA screening.
- Day 30COURTSheriff 5-day notice endsSET BY LAWThe sheriff posts a 5-day notice to vacate before the lockout.CCP 715.010
- Day 34COURTKeys backCOURT’S CALENDARSheriff performs the lockout and restores possession.
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley are not available online - local rent-stabilization and right-to-counsel ordinances require case-specific review.
Day counts run from the day the notice is served. Statutory intervals are fixed by law; hearing, judgment, and lockout dates are set by the court and the constable or sheriff and vary by county. No result or date is guaranteed.
Typical uncontested case: 45–75 days.
Price it for your property
Your estimated price, before you give us a name
| Attorney fee, flat, the whole fee for an uncontested case | $1,500 |
| Sacramento County court costs | $460 |
| Estimated total, court costs estimated and billed at the amount charged | $1,960 |
Other costs may apply, such as service of process, electronic filing, court reporter and motion fees.
Not in these figures: where more than $10,000 is demanded the court's filing fee is higher, $385 up to $35,000 (Riverside $410, San Bernardino $395) and more above that.
Start with this estimateCourt charges are set by the court and verified at attorney review. You pay the amount the court or officer charges. Figures here are estimates.
Sacramento County eviction FAQ
How much does an eviction cost in Sacramento County?
Court charges in Sacramento County run about $460 (filing, writ, sheriff lockout), plus attorney fees. Our flat attorney fee for an uncontested California eviction is $1,500 with court costs estimated and billed at the amount charged.
How long does an eviction take in Sacramento County?
A typical uncontested case runs 45–75 days from notice to possession. Contested cases take longer. Courts control the calendar; no attorney can promise a date.
Can I evict a tenant myself in Sacramento County?
Individuals may file pro se, but California unlawful detainer is procedurally unforgiving — a defective notice or miscounted answer window restarts everything. Represented parties must e-file in most counties.
What's the first step to evict a tenant in Sacramento?
Serving the legally correct notice for your situation. That depends on the reason, the lease, and federal screens (CARES Act, servicemember status). Our intake determines the right notice before you pay anything.