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Eviction in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine), California

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

Quick facts: eviction in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)

Eviction court
Superior Court of California, County of Orange — 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)
$3,236/month HUD
Renter households
472,301 (44% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)

Eviction cases in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine) are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Orange (Superior Court (unlawful detainer cases)).

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

Court self-help page lists the Central Justice Center as the Civil location for limited and unlimited civil cases; confirm venue for a specific case with the court (Court Designation List).

How much it costs to file an eviction in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)

$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

Settling out of courtCourt self-help page on settling UD cases; civil ADR options.
Source: Official source
Cases on calendarLook up hearing dates via the court's Cases on Calendar service.
Source: Official source

The California eviction process

California state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine):

  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 Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$2,682
1 bedroom$2,746
2 bedrooms$3,236
3 bedrooms$4,393
4 bedrooms$5,246

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine): $2,434/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level tenant protection ordinance found; city ordinances (if any) apply only within those cities.

Eviction help in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)

Free legal help

Other California counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)?
Eviction cases in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine) are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Orange.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)?
$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 Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)?
Community Legal Aid SoCal (Legal Aid Society of Orange County) - UD/eviction diversion; Public Law Center; Fair Housing Council of Orange County.
What is the fair market rent in Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $3,236 per month (1-bedroom: $2,746).

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.