Eviction in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara), California

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

Quick facts: eviction in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)

Eviction court: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara — 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): $3,124/month HUD
Renter households: 71,264 (48% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)

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

Santa Barbara - Anacapa Division — 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 · website
Lompoc Division — 115 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc, CA 93436-6967 · website
Santa Maria - Cook Division — 312 East Cook Street, Building E, Santa Maria, CA 93454 · website

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

Matters previously filed at the Solvang Division are now filed at the Lompoc Division. Phones: Santa Barbara (805) 882-4520; Lompoc (805) 737-5452; Santa Maria (805) 614-6414.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)

$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.santabarbara.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/filing-fees

Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, Eviction forms

How eviction cases work locally

Interpreters	Court-provided foreign language and sign-language interpreters are available for UD cases. Source: Official source

The California eviction process

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

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 Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)

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

Studio	$2,459
1 bedroom	$2,746
2 bedrooms	$3,124
3 bedrooms	$4,075
4 bedrooms	$4,647

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara): $2,131/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 44, Article IV - Just Cause for Residential Evictions

Applies: Unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County

Substantial remodel evictions: Before terminating for a substantial remodel, landlord must obtain all necessary permits, serve the tenant with copies, and give written notice of the reason, the scope of work, and why the tenant must vacate for at least 30 days.
One-year lease offer: Landlords must offer a written lease of one year or more (tenant need not accept); for existing tenancies without a lease, offer within 90 days of the ordinance's effective date.
Right of first refusal: Tenants evicted for a no-fault reason must be offered first right to re-lease the unit if it returns to the market within two years (rent at landlord's discretion).

Full Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 44, Article IV - Just Cause for Residential Evictions rules with sources →

Eviction help in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)

Free legal help

Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County — Listed by the court. Lompoc/Solvang (805) 736-6582; Santa Barbara (805) 963-6754; Santa Maria (805) 922-9909.

Other California counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)?

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

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)?

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

Where can I get help with an eviction in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)?

Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County.

What is the fair market rent in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $3,124 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.