Updated 2026-08-05 · Governing law: Code Civ. Proc. § 1161 et seq.; § 1167 (AB 2347); Civ. Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482) · Court: Superior Court
| Ground | Notice period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment | 3 days — excluding weekends & judicial holidays | Rent only; no fees in the demand |
| Curable breach | 3 days to cure — court-day counting | AB 1482: cure notice must precede termination |
| No-fault termination (<1 yr) | 30 days | |
| No-fault termination (1 yr+) | 60 days | AB 1482: relocation assistance |
| CARES-covered property | 30 days |
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Notice served | Day 1 |
| Notice period runs | 3 court days |
| UD filed & served | Week 2 |
| Answer window | 10 court days |
| Default or trial | Week 4–8 |
| Sheriff 5-day notice, lockout | Final week |
A clean uncontested unlawful detainer typically runs 45–75 days. Contested cases in tenant-counsel jurisdictions run longer. Courts control the calendar.
Filing runs $240–$435 by claim size, service $75–$150, writ $40, sheriff lockout roughly $150–$250 by county. Our uncontested flat fee is $1,195 with a published $425 bench-trial add-on — costs itemized before you pay.
Published flat fee, your county’s exact court costs shown up front, and a licensed attorney on the case. See pricing or start online →
Author: The Ledger Law Firm. This guide summarizes state law as of the update date; statutes and local rules change. Nothing here is legal advice or a guarantee of outcome. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.
