How much does an eviction cost in California? (2026)
Attorney fee $1,500 flat, plus estimated court costs by county below. Updated 2026-08-05 · Court: Superior Court
The two parts of the bill
1. Attorney fee: $1,500, flat and in writing before any charge. Covers notice review, preparing and filing the case, and a licensed attorney handling an uncontested California eviction from filing through judgment.
2. Court and service costs, billed at the amount charged. Filing fees are set by each county court; writ and lockout fees apply only if the tenant does not move after judgment. We show estimates for your county. Costs are billed at the amount the court or officer charges, with no markup.
Court costs by county
| County | Filing fee | Writ of possession | Sheriff lockout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside County | $270 | $40 | $180 |
| San Bernardino County | $255 | $40 | $180 |
| Sacramento County | $240 | $40 | $180 |
| Orange County | $240 | $40 | $180 |
Court fees are set by the courts and change without notice; amounts shown were last reviewed 2026-08-05 and are confirmed against the court's current schedule when your case is filed. County not listed? We show current figures in your portal before each cost is incurred; the amount charged controls.
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.
How long it takes
Typical uncontested case in California: 45–75 days. Contested cases take longer. Courts control the calendar, so treat these timelines as typical ranges, not commitments. Governing law: Code Civ. Proc. § 1161 et seq.; § 1167 (AB 2347); Civ. Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482).
Estimate your total
Pick your county and number of defendants to see the whole number: attorney fee plus your county's court costs.
Your estimated price, before you give us a name
| Attorney fee, flat, the whole fee for an uncontested case | $1,500 |
| Riverside County court costs | $490 |
| Estimated total, court costs estimated and billed at the amount charged | $1,990 |
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.
Full pricing details → · California notice guide → · Glossary →