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Eviction in Stanislaus County (Modesto), California

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

Quick facts: eviction in Stanislaus County (Modesto)

Eviction court
Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus - Turlock Division (Small Claims & Unlawful Detainers) — 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)
$1,758/month HUD
Renter households
69,046 (39% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Stanislaus County (Modesto)

Eviction cases in Stanislaus County (Modesto) are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus - Turlock Division (Small Claims & Unlawful Detainers) (Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited civil)).

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

Phone (209) 530-3100; Mon-Fri 8:15 am-4:00 pm.

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

$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.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil/filing-requirements-and-fees

Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, Eviction forms

The California eviction process

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

  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 Stanislaus County (Modesto)

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

Studio$1,255
1 bedroom$1,356
2 bedrooms$1,758
3 bedrooms$2,442
4 bedrooms$2,823

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Stanislaus County (Modesto): $1,623/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level residential tenant ordinance (rent control, just cause, relocation or source of income) is in the Stanislaus County Code (eCode360, legislation through Ord. No. CS 1420, Aug. 18, 2026). A code search found no sections on 'landlord' and only two unrelated uses of 'evict'; the 'tenant' results are zoning, utility and condominium-conversion rules (Ch. 20.20, tenant notices before a conversion is approved). State law governs. Code: https://ecode360.com/ST5017

Eviction help in Stanislaus County (Modesto)

Free legal help

Other California counties

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Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Stanislaus County (Modesto)?
Eviction cases in Stanislaus County (Modesto) are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus - Turlock Division (Small Claims & Unlawful Detainers).
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Stanislaus County (Modesto)?
$240 to $450 to file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case, depending on the amount demanded.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Stanislaus County (Modesto)?
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA).
What is the fair market rent in Stanislaus County (Modesto)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,758 per month (1-bedroom: $1,356).

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.