Eviction in Merced County (Merced), California

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

Quick facts: eviction in Merced County (Merced)

Eviction court: Superior Court of California, County of Merced — Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited/unlimited civil) 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
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): $1,503/month HUD
Renter households: 39,581 (46% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Merced County (Merced)

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

Old Merced Courthouse (Civil Division; courtrooms 8-10) — 627 W 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340; (209) 725-4111 · website
Robert M. Falasco Justice Center (Los Banos; Civil, Self-Help Center) — 1159 G Street, Los Banos, CA 93635; (209) 725-4124 · website

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

The civil page links an Unlawful Detainer Instructions document. The court's landlord/tenant self-help page mainly covers expired COVID-19-era rules. Over-the-counter payments: cash and money orders (personal checks need a financial declaration); the court does not accept credit or debit cards.

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

$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.

Statewide fees; the schedule lists no county-specific surcharge for this county. 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 service and lockout fees are separate and not included.

Source: Judicial Council of California, Statewide Civil Fee Schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026

How eviction cases work locally

Limited civil calendar	Limited civil law-and-motion: Courtroom 9, Mondays 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays/Thursdays 10 a.m., Old Merced Courthouse. Source: Official source
Self-Help Center	Self-Help Centers at the Ogletree Jr. Courthouse (2260 N Street, Merced) and the Los Banos courthouse; email selfhelp@mercedcourt.org. Source: Official source

The California eviction process

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

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
Landlord files an Unlawful Detainer complaint and the tenant is served with the summons and complaint
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)
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
Judgment for possession; landlord obtains a Writ of Execution and delivers it to the sheriff
Sheriff serves a Notice to Vacate giving the tenant 5 days, then performs the lockout

Full California eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Merced County (Merced)

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

Studio	$1,116
1 bedroom	$1,213
2 bedrooms	$1,503
3 bedrooms	$2,067
4 bedrooms	$2,503

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Merced County (Merced): $1,343/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance for unincorporated Merced County was identified. State law (including the Tenant Protection Act, Civ. Code 1946.2 and 1947.12) applies; some cities may have their own rules (see city pages).

Eviction help in Merced County (Merced)

Free legal help

Central California Legal Services (Merced office) — 1640 N Street, Suite 200, Merced; (209) 386-1696 or (800) 675-8001. Free civil legal help, including housing, for eligible low-income residents; a Los Banos satellite office is listed as opening soon.

Other California counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Merced County (Merced)?

Eviction cases in Merced County (Merced) are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Merced.

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Merced County (Merced)?

$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 Merced County (Merced)?

Central California Legal Services (Merced office).

What is the fair market rent in Merced County (Merced)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,503 per month (1-bedroom: $1,213).

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.