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Eviction in Kern County (Bakersfield), California

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

Quick facts: eviction in Kern County (Bakersfield)

Eviction court
Superior Court of California, County of Kern — Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited civil) Court page
Filing fee
$240 to $450 to file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case, depending on the amount demanded California Courts Self-Help Guide, Eviction forms
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)
$1,483/month HUD
Renter households
113,798 (40% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Kern County (Bakersfield)

Eviction cases in Kern County (Bakersfield) are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern (Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited civil)).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

These are the court's civil locations; the court site does not state which location hears a given UD case - check with the Civil division or the Landlord Tenant Assistance Center.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Kern County (Bakersfield)

$240 to $450 to file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case, depending on the amount demanded

Statewide range. If you can't afford the fee you can ask the court to waive it (fee waiver forms). Confirm the exact amount on the local court's fee schedule. Local fee page: https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/court-filing-fee-and-fee-schedules

Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, Eviction forms

How eviction cases work locally

Landlord Tenant Assistance Center (LTAC)Court-run help for tenants and landlords: (661) 610-6299, LTAC@kern.courts.ca.gov; located at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, 3rd Floor, Bakersfield.
Source: Official source

The California eviction process

California state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Kern County (Bakersfield):

  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 Kern County (Bakersfield)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Bakersfield-Delano, CA MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,132
1 bedroom$1,140
2 bedrooms$1,483
3 bedrooms$2,062
4 bedrooms$2,488

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Kern County (Bakersfield): $1,300/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

Searched the Kern County Code on Municode (current through Ord. G-9410, July 14, 2026) for 'eviction' (0 results), 'landlord' and 'tenant' (no tenancy provisions) and mobilehome space rent (none): https://library.municode.com/search?stateId=5&clientId=6459&searchText=eviction&searchMode=CLIENTMODE&contentTypeId=CODES

Other California counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Kern County (Bakersfield)?
Eviction cases in Kern County (Bakersfield) are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Kern.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Kern County (Bakersfield)?
$240 to $450 to file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case, depending on the amount demanded.
What is the fair market rent in Kern County (Bakersfield)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,483 per month (1-bedroom: $1,140).

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.