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Eviction in Imperial County, California

Where eviction cases are filed in Imperial County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Imperial County

Eviction court
Superior Court of California, County of Imperial — Superior court (unlawful detainer) Court page
Filing fee
Unlawful detainer complaint: $240 (amount up to $10,000); $385 (over $10,000 up to $25,000); $435 (over $25,000) Superior Court of California, County of Imperial - Statewide Civil Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2024
Notice before filing (state law)
3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. It may be served any time within one year after the rent becomes due. California rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,362/month HUD
Renter households
21,434 (43% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Imperial County

Eviction cases in Imperial County are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial (Superior court (unlawful detainer)).

Court eviction page

El Centro Courthouse: (760) 482-2200, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Winterhaven Court: (760) 336-3500, Tuesday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (closed 11 a.m.-noon; closed Mondays and Fridays). Which courthouse hears unlawful detainer cases is not stated on the court's locations page.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Imperial County

Unlawful detainer complaint: $240 (amount up to $10,000); $385 (over $10,000 up to $25,000); $435 (over $25,000)

Statewide fees published by the Imperial court. The court's schedule also lists an Unlawful Detainer Packet copy fee. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.

Source: Superior Court of California, County of Imperial - Statewide Civil Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2024

The California eviction process

California state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Imperial County:

  1. Landlord serves a written notice: 3-day pay or quit, 3-day perform or quit, 3-day quit, or 30/60/90-day notice, with just cause stated where AB 1482 or local law applies
  2. Landlord files an Unlawful Detainer complaint and the tenant is served with the summons and complaint
  3. Tenant files a response (usually an Answer) within 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays (5 more court days if served by mail through the Secretary of State's address confidentiality program)
  4. If the tenant answers, a trial is set (per the courts, usually about a month after the request); if not, the landlord can get a default judgment
  5. Judgment for possession; landlord obtains a Writ of Execution and delivers it to the sheriff
  6. Sheriff serves a Notice to Vacate giving the tenant 5 days, then performs the lockout

Full California eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Imperial County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the El Centro, CA MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$939
1 bedroom$1,038
2 bedrooms$1,362
3 bedrooms$1,845
4 bedrooms$2,285

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Imperial County: $1,056/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; unlawful detainer actions follow California Code of Civil Procedure § 1159 et seq. and state rent/just-cause law (AB 1482).

Eviction help in Imperial County

Free legal help

Tenant and eviction lawyers in Imperial County

Other California counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Imperial County?
Eviction cases in Imperial County are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Imperial.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Imperial County?
Unlawful detainer complaint: $240 (amount up to $10,000); $385 (over $10,000 up to $25,000); $435 (over $25,000)
Where can I get help with an eviction in Imperial County?
California Rural Legal Assistance - El Centro office.
What is the fair market rent in Imperial County?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,362 per month (1-bedroom: $1,038).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.