Eviction in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz), California

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

Quick facts: eviction in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz)

Eviction court: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz — 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): $4,214/month HUD
Renter households: 38,819 (40% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz)

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

Santa Cruz Courthouse (Civil Division; unlawful detainer cases) — 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060; (831) 420-2200 · website
Watsonville Courthouse — 1 Second Street, Watsonville, CA 95076; (831) 786-7200 · website

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

The Civil Division at the Santa Cruz Courthouse processes unlawful detainer cases. The Self-Help Center says it currently provides only limited landlord/tenant assistance because of the complexity of the law.

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

$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

Free housing mediation	The court refers landlords and tenants to the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County for housing mediation, available even without a pending case; most consultations and mediations are currently offered at no cost. Source: Official source

The California eviction process

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

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 Cruz County (Santa Cruz)

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

Studio	$3,179
1 bedroom	$3,298
2 bedrooms	$4,214
3 bedrooms	$5,377
4 bedrooms	$5,659

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz): $2,264/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Santa Cruz County tenant protections (approved by the Board of Supervisors, October 2022)

Applies: Unincorporated Santa Cruz County (cities such as Santa Cruz and Watsonville have their own rules)

Bad-faith landlord conduct: Prohibits bad-faith actions such as failing to make needed repairs, evicting without cause, harassing tenants, unlawfully coercing tenants to move, and asking about citizenship status.
Retaliation / discrimination: Protects tenants from eviction for organizing or advocating for tenants' rights, and bars discrimination on listed grounds including source of income.

Eviction help in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz)

Free legal help

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), Watsonville office — (831) 724-2253; services by phone or appointment. For eligible low-income residents.

Other California counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz)?

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

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

$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 Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz)?

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), Watsonville office.

What is the fair market rent in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $4,214 per month (1-bedroom: $3,298).

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.