2026 eviction process in San Bernardino County: costs, timeline, and one flat fee
San Bernardino evictions run through Superior Court. San Bernardino County is the highest eviction filing rate in California (38 per 1,000 renter households). Here is exactly what it costs and how long it takes.
What San Bernardino County charges
| Court charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing & citation/service | $240 |
| Writ of possession | $40 |
| Sheriff lockout | $180 |
Set by the court, not by us. Itemized at checkout and passed through at cost. 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 exact price, before you give us a name
| Attorney fee — flat | $1,000 |
| Harris County court costs | $324 |
| Estimated total — costs itemized and passed through at cost | $1,324 |
Court charges are set by the court and verified at attorney review; if your county's actual costs differ, you pay the actual, never more than quoted without your OK.
San Bernardino County eviction FAQ
How much does an eviction cost in San Bernardino County?
Court charges in San Bernardino 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 itemized and passed through at cost.
How long does an eviction take in San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino?
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 in about five minutes, before you pay anything.