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Eviction in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach), California

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

Quick facts: eviction in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)

Eviction court
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Superior Court (unlawful detainer cases) Court page
Filing fee
$240 (unlawful detainer, limited civil, demand up to $10,000); $385 (limited civil, over $10,000 to $35,000); $435 (unlimited, over $35,000). Tenant's answer: $225 / $370 / $435. Judicial Council of California, Statewide Civil Fee Schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026 (rows 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12; appendix for Riverside/San Bernardino/San Francisco)
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)
$2,903/month HUD
Renter households
1,848,466 (54% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)

Eviction cases in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach) are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Superior Court (unlawful detainer cases)).

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

Limited-jurisdiction unlawful detainer cases must be filed in a designated regional 'hub' courthouse based on the property's ZIP code; use the court's Filing Court Locator (http://www.lacourt.org/filinglocatornet/ui/filingsearch.aspx) and the hub standing/general orders linked from the court's unlawful detainer page.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)

$240 (unlawful detainer, limited civil, demand up to $10,000); $385 (limited civil, over $10,000 to $35,000); $435 (unlimited, over $35,000). Tenant's answer: $225 / $370 / $435.

Plaintiff UD fees include the extra $15 under CCP 1161.2 for limited civil UD. Low-income parties can ask the court to waive fees with Judicial Council form FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees). Sheriff/marshal service and lockout fees are separate and not included.

Source: Judicial Council of California, Statewide Civil Fee Schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026 (rows 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12; appendix for Riverside/San Bernardino/San Francisco)

How eviction cases work locally

Filing location (hub courthouses)Limited civil UD cases go to an assigned hub courthouse determined by ZIP code (Filing Court Locator / UD hub general order).
Source: Official source
Online Dispute ResolutionFree court program for landlords and tenants to try to resolve an eviction case online without coming to court.
Source: Official source
Free county mediationLA County DCBA offers free landlord-tenant mediation.
Source: Official source

The California eviction process

California state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach):

  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 Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$2,079
1 bedroom$2,328
2 bedrooms$2,903
3 bedrooms$3,681
4 bedrooms$4,098

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach): $1,954/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Metro-wide FY2026 FMR shown. HUD says all Housing Choice Voucher programs in this area use Small Area (ZIP-code) FMRs, which vary by ZIP; see the county page on huduser.gov.

Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO), LA County Code Ch. 8.52

Applies: Unincorporated Los Angeles County only (cities such as Los Angeles, Santa Monica, etc. have their own rules)

Full Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO), LA County Code Ch. 8.52 rules with sources →

Eviction help in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)

Free legal help

Right to counsel: LA County Tenant Right to Counsel Ordinance (TRTCO): free legal services for eligible tenants living in UNINCORPORATED Los Angeles County during unlawful detainer proceedings; includes landlord notice requirements. Source

Rental assistance

City rules in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)

Other California counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)?
Eviction cases in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach) are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)?
$240 (unlawful detainer, limited civil, demand up to $10,000); $385 (limited civil, over $10,000 to $35,000); $435 (unlimited, over $35,000). Tenant's answer: $225 / $370 / $435.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)?
Stay Housed L.A.; Shriver-L.A. Housing Self Help Center; LA County Emergency Rent Relief; LA County DCBA Eviction Diversion.
What is the fair market rent in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $2,903 per month (1-bedroom: $2,328).

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.