California civil deadline calculator
Pick a deadline and enter the trigger date. The result applies Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10 (counting, weekends and court holidays), service-method extensions where the law allows them, and the rule for that deadline, with each step and citation shown. Scope: Civil cases in California superior courts (unlimited, limited, and unlawful detainer). Excludes family, probate, juvenile, criminal, small claims, and complex-case-specific orders.. Rules current as of 2026-10-23.
Deadline
Monday, November 23, 2026
- Trigger (Date service of summons and complaint is complete (enter the date per summons_service method)): Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Personal delivery (CCP 415.10): service is complete on that date (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 415.10).
- Exclude the trigger day and count 30 calendar days: Sunday, November 22, 2026.
- That day is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, November 23, 2026 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10).
Rules applied
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 412.20(a)(3), 430.40(a), 435(b)(1); Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.110(d)
CCP 412.20(a)(3): "A direction that the defendant file with the court a written pleading in response to the complaint within 30 days after summons is served on the defendant." CCP 430.40(a): "A person against whom a complaint or cross-complaint has been filed may, within 30 days after service of the complaint or cross-complaint, demur to the complaint or cross-complaint." CCP 435(b)(1): "Any party, within the time allowed to respond to a pleading may serve and file a notice of motion to strike the whole or any part thereof" CRC 3.110(d): "The parties may stipulate without leave of court to one 15-day extension beyond the 30-day time period prescribed for the response after service of the initial complaint."Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 12b: "If any city, county, state, or public office, other than a branch office, is closed for the whole of any day, insofar as the business of that office is concerned, that day shall be considered as a holiday for the purposes of computing time under Sections 12 and 12a." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135."Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 415.10
Service of a summons in this manner is deemed complete at the time of such delivery.Official source
- CCP 1013 mail extensions do NOT apply; the 415.20/415.30/415.40/6064 completion rules govern. Count 30 calendar days from completion of service, roll forward under CCP 12a. CCP 412.20 amended eff. 2026-01-01 (AB 863) without changing the 30 days. CRC 3.110(d) allows one stipulated 15-day extension without court order. A motion to strike filed without a demurrer extends time to answer (CCP 435(c)). Unlawful detainer uses CCP 1167 instead (see unlawful_detainer_response). Publication add_days is a computation from Gov. Code 6064 text; confirm the court's order for any longer publication period (CCP 415.50(b)).
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it.
Do county rules change these deadlines?
County local rules CANNOT change (lengthen, shorten, or add) deadlines for pleadings (answer, demurrer, motion to strike, cross-complaint and amended-pleading response times), demurrers, ex parte applications, motions (noticed motions, CCP 1005 notice/opposition/reply, summary judgment, anti-SLAPP), discovery (response times, motion-to-compel windows, cutoffs, expert exchange), and provisional remedies, unless a statute or a Rule of Court specifically authorizes the local rule. Statutory deadlines (CCP sections) cannot be altered by any local rule in any event. Examples of express authorizations: CRC 3.1308(c) requires a court that uses a tentative ruling procedure to state it in a local rule (method and time); CRC 3.722(b) lets a court provide by local rule for the time and manner of giving notice of the initial CMC; CRC 3.1300(e) and 2.253(b) let a court deem e-filings received before midnight filed that day. County local rules CAN set deadlines for (1) trial and post-trial matters (final status/trial readiness conferences, trial exhibits, motions in limine, settlement conference statements), (2) case management under the Trial Court Delay Reduction Act (CMC scheduling, delay-reduction status and OSC timing), and (3) excluded proceedings (harassment/workplace violence restraining orders, family, probate, juvenile, criminal, eminent domain). Department-specific courtroom rules are not local rules and are not covered here. Practical effect for this dataset: none of the statewide pleading, motion, or discovery deadlines below is lengthened or shortened by the five largest counties' local rules; the county overlays only add time-of-day filing cutoffs for ex parte papers, tentative-ruling procedures, and case-management/trial items.
Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.20
County local rules that add requirements
- Los Angeles: Adds a FILING cut-off (10:00 a.m. the day before the ex parte hearing) on top of the statewide NOTICE deadline (10:00 a.m. the court day before, CRC 3.1203(a)); opposition must be e-filed by 8:30 a.m. on the hearing day. Same clock time as notice, so in LA both notice and filing are due by 10:00 a.m. the court day before. The rule says 'the date before', not 'court day before'; read conservatively as the preceding court day. Exempt filers in the Central District file at Stanley Mosk by 11:00 a.m. (same rule). Super. Ct. L.A. County, Local Rules, rule 3.4(l) (amended eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
- Los Angeles: No change: restates CRC 3.725 (15 calendar days) and CRC 3.724 (30 calendar days), but LA applies the 30-day meet-and-confer to 'the case management conference' (not only the initial one). Rule 3.25(a)(1) sets the CMC no later than 180 days after the complaint is filed (delay-reduction rule). Super. Ct. L.A. County, Local Rules, rule 3.25(b) (amended eff. July 1, 2026)
- Los Angeles: Adds: settlement conference statement 5 court days before the settlement conference (3.25(e)); final status conference set not more than 10 days before trial, with exhibit lists, jury instructions, witness lists and short statement of the case served and filed at least 5 days before the FSC (3.25(f)(1)); in master-calendar cases, trial-preparation and dispositive motions filed and served at least 5 days before the FSC (3.25(f)(3)). Permitted as trial/delay-reduction rules under CRC 3.20(b). Super. Ct. L.A. County, Local Rules, rule 3.25(e), (f) (amended eff. July 1, 2026)
- Los Angeles: Limited-jurisdiction unlawful detainer: plaintiff must file a Request for Trial Setting within 120 days after filing; clerk sets an OSC re dismissal no earlier than 180 days after filing. Does not change the CCP 1167 response time. No countywide tentative ruling rule was found in LA Local Rules Chapter 3 (searched the full chapter text); individual departments post their own procedures. Super. Ct. L.A. County, Local Rules, rule 3.27 (eff. Jan. 1, 2015)
- San Diego: Adds a filing cut-off of 12:00 noon the court day before the ex parte appearance (statewide notice deadline remains 10:00 a.m. the court day before, CRC 3.1203(a)). The same rule requires every demurrer, motion, ex parte application and OSC hearing date to be reserved in advance; for MSJ, failing to file or to take the reserved date off calendar 'no later than two days after the last date to serve moving papers pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure, section 437c' may draw sanctions. Super. Ct. San Diego County, Local Rules, rule 2.1.19(A) (Division II, 2026 ed.)
- San Diego: Tentative rulings (discretionary) under CRC 3.1308(a)(2); no notice-of-intent-to-appear deadline. If no one appears and the court has not been told all parties submit, the court may take the matter off calendar or adopt the tentative. No change to CCP 1005 timing. Super. Ct. San Diego County, Local Rules, rule 2.1.19(C) (Division II, 2026 ed.)
- San Diego: No change to the 15-calendar-day CMS deadline (CRC 3.725), but statements are required only for the INITIAL CMC unless ordered. Initial CMC is set approximately 150 days after the complaint is filed; plaintiff must serve the Notice of Case Assignment and CMC with the summons, and within 10 days of being served with a court notice of continued/changed CMC (authorized by CRC 3.722(b), which the rule cites). Super. Ct. San Diego County, Local Rules, rule 2.1.9(A), (B) (Division II, 2026 ed.)
- Orange: No change (restates CRC 3.725). Appearance at the CMC is mandatory. Super. Ct. Orange County, Local Rules, rule 369 (Division 3, issued 7/1/25)
- Orange: Adds: parties must meet and confer within 20 days after service of the responsive pleading by the first responding defendant, and file a joint Meet and Confer Statement within 30 days after service of the responsive pleading (plaintiff arranges). Rule 316 adds a mandatory settlement conference statement lodged no later than five court days before the MSC; rule 317 requires an Issue Conference at least 14 days before trial. Super. Ct. Orange County, Local Rules, rule 315 (Division 3, issued 7/1/25)
- Orange: No deadline is set or changed. The rule does not state which CRC 3.1308(a) procedure applies or the time tentatives are posted (CRC 3.1308(c) requires both); check the assigned department's posted procedure. Super. Ct. Orange County, Local Rules, rule 382 (revised eff. July 1, 2025)
- Riverside: Adds a notice-of-intent-to-appear deadline (CRC 3.1308(a)(1) procedure): tentative posted by 3:00 p.m. the court day before; failing to give notice of intent to appear makes the tentative the ruling. CONFLICT: CRC 3.1308(a)(1) (amended eff. Jan. 1, 2025) specifies 4:00 p.m., not 4:30 p.m. Give notice by 4:00 p.m. to satisfy both. Rule 3316(C) also requires specified tentative-ruling language in every notice of motion or demurrer in departments that issue tentatives. Super. Ct. Riverside County, Local Rules, rule 3316 (Title 3, amended eff. Jan. 1, 2015)
- San Bernardino: Adds a filing cut-off of 12:00 p.m. the court day before; notice deadline unchanged (10:00 a.m. court day before). Super. Ct. San Bernardino County, Local Rules, rule 731 (eff. Jan. 1, 2017; local rules effective July 1, 2026)
- San Bernardino: CRC 3.1308(a)(2) procedure (no notice of intent to appear; failure to appear waives oral argument and the tentative becomes final). To submit without appearing, notify the department's judicial assistant by 4:00 p.m. the day before the hearing (561(c)). No further papers may be filed once the tentative is posted (561(d)). Super. Ct. San Bernardino County, Local Rules, rule 561 (amended eff. July 1, 2024)
- San Bernardino: Adds: moving papers (other than CCP 128.7, UD, and MSJ motions) must be filed within five court days after reserving a hearing date (rule 520); a party seeking a continuance or not proceeding must tell the judicial assistant and opposing counsel no later than 4:30 p.m. of the second court day before the hearing (rule 550). Does not change CCP 1005 notice/opposition/reply periods. These are in the preempted 'motions' field; no authorizing statute or CRC was identified (see preemption.ambiguity). Super. Ct. San Bernardino County, Local Rules, rules 520 and 550
California civil deadlines covered
| Deadline | Period | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Answer, demurrer, or motion to strike in response to complaint | 30 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 412.20(a)(3), 430.40(a), 435(b)(1); Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.110(d) |
| Unlawful detainer: response to complaint | 10 court days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1167 (amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 512 (AB 2347), eff. Jan. 1, 2025) |
| Response to cross-complaint | 30 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 432.10 |
| Response to amended complaint (or amended cross-complaint) | 30 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 471.5(a) |
| Amend or answer after ruling on demurrer | 10 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1320(g), (j) |
| Demurrer hearing to be set within 35 days of filing | 35 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1320(d) |
| Noticed motion: serve and file moving papers before hearing | 16 court days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1005(b); Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1300 |
| Noticed motion: opposition | 9 court days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1005(b), (c) |
| Noticed motion: reply | 5 court days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1005(b), (c) |
| Motion for summary judgment / adjudication: notice before hearing | 81 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 437c(a)(2) (as amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 99 (AB 2049), eff. Jan. 1, 2025) |
| Motion for summary judgment: opposition | 20 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 437c(b)(2) (eff. Jan. 1, 2025) |
| Motion for summary judgment: reply | 11 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 437c(b)(4) (eff. Jan. 1, 2025) |
| Motion for summary judgment: last day for hearing before trial | 30 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 437c(a)(3) |
| Responses to interrogatories | 30 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2030.260(a) |
| Responses to requests for production (inspection demands) | 30 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2031.260(a) |
| Responses to requests for admission | 30 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2033.250(a) |
| Unlawful detainer: responses to interrogatories, inspection demands, requests for admission | 5 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2030.260(b), 2031.260(b), 2033.250(b) |
| Motion to compel further responses (interrogatories, inspection demands, RFAs) | 45 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2030.300(c), 2031.310(c), 2033.290(c) |
| Discovery cutoff (complete discovery) | 30 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2024.020(a); 2016.060 |
| Discovery motion cutoff (last day for hearing) | 15 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2024.020(a); 2016.060 |
| Demand for exchange of expert witness information: last day | 70 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2034.220 |
| Expert witness exchange date | 50 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2034.230(b) |
| Supplemental expert witness list | 20 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2034.280(a) |
| Oral deposition: minimum notice | 10 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 2025.270(a), (b), (c) |
| Case management statement | 15 days before | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.725(a) |
| Meet and confer before initial case management conference | 30 days before | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.724 |
| Ex parte application: notice to other parties | 1 court days before | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1203 |
| CCP 170.6 peremptory challenge: judge assigned for all purposes (civil) | 15 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 170.6(a)(2) |
| CCP 170.6 peremptory challenge: judge known at least 10 days before trial/hearing | 5 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 170.6(a)(2) |
| Anti-SLAPP special motion to strike | 60 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 425.16(f) (section last amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 444 (SB 577), eff. Jan. 1, 2025) |
| Notice of intention to move for new trial | 15 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 659(a)(2), (b) (amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 853 (AB 3281), eff. Jan. 1, 2025) |
| Court's power to rule on new trial motion expires | 75 days after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 660(c) |
| Notice of appeal (unlimited civil, to Court of Appeal) | 60 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.104(a), (b) |
| Notice of appeal, unlimited civil (180 days after entry of judgment, when no notice of entry was served) | 180 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.104(a)(1)(C) |
| Notice of appeal (limited civil, to appellate division) | 30 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.822(a), (d) |
| Notice of appeal, limited civil (90 days after entry of judgment, when no notice of entry was served) | 90 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.822(a)(1)(C) |
| Jury fee deposit, unlawful detainer (5 days before trial) | 5 days before | CCP 631(c)(1) |
| Jury fee deposit when no case management conference is set (365 days after the complaint is filed) | 365 days after | CCP 631(c)(2) |
| Jury fee deposit for late-appearing parties (25 days before the initial trial date) | 25 days before | CCP 631(c)(4) |
| Serve complaint and file proof of service | 60 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.110(b) |
| Memorandum of costs (trial costs) | 15 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1700(a)(1) |
| Motion to strike or tax costs | 15 days after | Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1700(b)(1) |
| Relief from default/judgment for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect (outer limit) | 6 months after | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 473(b) |
| Unlawful detainer: summary judgment notice | 5 days before | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170.7 |
For developers: /api/deadlines?state=CA and the calculate_deadline tool in the 1Court MCP server.