California court 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: Santa Cruz County local rules are included below (marked with the court name), layered on these base rules. California superior court unlawful detainer proceedings (CCP 1159-1179a) and pre-filing landlord-tenant notices (CCP 1161, 1161b; Civ. Code 1946, 1946.1, 1946.2), writ of possession enforcement (CCP 715.010-715.020) and claims of right to possession (CCP 415.46, 1174.25, 1174.3), and limited civil appeals to the appellate division (CRC 8.822, 8.823). Local rent-control and just-cause ordinances, federal CARES Act 30-day notices, Section 8 and other subsidized-housing notice periods, and mobilehome (Civ. Code 798 et seq.) rules are not modeled.. Rules current as of 2026-10-23.

Santa Cruz County local rules independently reviewed (effective 2026-07-01)
Deadline
Thursday, November 12, 2026
  1. Trigger (Date the 3-day notice was served on the tenant (CCP 1162 method)): Friday, November 6, 2026.
  2. Count 3 court days (Saturdays, Sundays, and court holidays are not counted): Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Rules applied
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1161(2) (operative Feb. 1, 2025)
three days’ notice, excluding Saturdays and Sundays and other judicial holidays, in writing, requiring its payment, stating the amount that is due
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
  • The 3 days exclude Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, so they are counted as court days. The result is the last day the tenant may pay; the UD complaint may be filed no earlier than the next court day. Service methods are in CCP 1162 (personal; leave with person of suitable age at residence or business AND mail; or post on the property AND deliver to a resident if found AND mail). AMBIGUITY (service method): CCP 1162 does not say when substituted or post-and-mail service is complete, and CCP 1013 mail extensions are not stated to apply to CCP 1161 notices. Courts have addressed this in case law, which was not fetched or verified here. A conservative landlord practice is to begin counting after the mailing date (or add days for mailing) before filing; tenants should count from the earliest service step. The engine applies no service-method adjustment. Commercial tenants: CCP 1162(b) methods. Landlord may not charge a fee for serving the notice (1161(6)).
  • 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.
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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. Rule set pending attorney review.

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Santa Cruz County: other local timing requirements

  • Civil long cause master calendar call on the Thursday two weeks before trial at 1:30 p.m.; all jury instructions, motions in limine, witness and exhibit lists, trial briefs, voir dire/questionnaires, statements of the case and special verdict forms due by 12 noon on the day of the Calendar Call. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 2.2.02
  • Civil ex parte (determined on papers): notice before 10:00 a.m. court day before; notify clerk by 11:00 a.m. court day before; papers to clerk and other side by 3:00 p.m. court day before; opposition by 10:00 a.m. day of determination; orders after 2:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 2.9.01
  • Civil tentative rulings, if issued, published by 3:00 p.m. the day before; oral argument requires contacting court and all opposing parties by 4:00 p.m. the court day before (CRC 3.1308). Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rules (Civil Tentative Rulings, Div. 2)
  • Family ex parte (Watsonville): notice by 10:00 a.m. court day before the 1:00 p.m. hearing; notify ex parte clerk by 11:00 a.m.; papers delivered and served by 3:00 p.m. day before; objections by 10:00 a.m. day of hearing. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 3.1.13
  • Probate ex parte: determined on papers by 2:30 p.m.; schedule and submit by 10 a.m. the court day before; certain petitions require paperwork by 10:00 a.m. five court days before the ex parte date. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 4.1.08
  • Criminal jury trial readiness conference at 9:00 a.m. on the Wednesday two weeks before trial; in limine motions, witness and exhibit lists and proposed jury instructions due by 12 noon on the Calendar Call date. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 5.1.06
  • Criminal Master Calendar trial documents e-filed by 12 p.m. the day of the Master Calendar. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 1.3.02
  • Unlawful detainer ex parte: notice to opposing party before 10:00 a.m. the court day before; notify clerk by 11:00 a.m. the court day before (not earlier than two court days before); papers by 3:00 p.m. the court day before; opposition by 10:00 a.m. day of determination; lockout-date exception allows same-day notice by 11:00 a.m. and papers to noon. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 2.9.03
  • Civil harassment, workplace violence, gun violence and postsecondary school violence restraining order requests filed in Watsonville by 10:00 a.m. for same-day consideration; DV and elder abuse requests likewise (Rule 3.1.13). Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rules 2.9.02, 3.1.13
  • Civil ex parte: papers to clerk and to opposing party by 3:00 p.m. the court day before; opposition by 10:00 a.m. day of determination (supplements existing 2.9.01 entry). Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 2.9.01
  • Civil law and motion: stipulated continuance requests within 24 hours of the hearing (weekends and holidays excepted) ordinarily not granted; one continuance per side. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 2.4.02
  • Family CCRC: failure to appear without 48 hours' notice results in fee assessment. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 3.3.02
  • Family custody evaluator must respond in writing to a complaint at least 2 calendar days before the hearing (evaluator duty; complaint deadline already in existing file). Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 3.3.03
  • Probate: Pre-Approval List posted on court website one day before hearing; check to determine if appearance needed. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 4.1.03
  • Probate ex parte (non-temporary-conservatorship): notice to opposing party before 10:00 a.m. the court day before; objections by 10:00 a.m. day of determination. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 4.1.08
  • Special administration letters ordinarily require at least 24 hours' notice to surviving spouse, nominated executor and persons listed in petition. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 4.2.01
  • Temporary conservatorship where general petition will be contested: known potential objectors get at least 24 hours' notice of presentation. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 4.3.02
  • Criminal urgent calendar requests (SUPCR 205) should generally be e-filed no less than two court days before the requested hearing. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 5.1.16
  • Juvenile ex parte: appointment with the court at least 24 hours in advance. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 6.1.06
  • Juvenile dependency CASA reports: courtesy copies to counsel and social worker via portal within two days of the hearing (CASA program duty). Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Local Rule 6.3.02
  • Christmas Eve is a half-day court closure: Thursday Dec 24, 2026 and Thursday Dec 23, 2027 (afternoon). Not modeled as a full closure because the court is open part of the day and e-filing until 11:59 p.m. is deemed filed that day (Rule 1.3.01); confirm with the clerk before relying on it to extend a deadline. Santa Cruz Super. Ct. Court Holiday Schedule
  • Complex/mass tort: Court follows the California Rules of Court for complex litigation; no local complex CMO or deadline schedule.

Under Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.20, county rules cannot change statewide deadlines for pleadings, motions, discovery or ex parte applications; local rules that tried to were excluded from the calculator.

Official local rules

California evictions deadlines covered

DeadlinePeriodRule
3-day notice to pay rent or quit: last day to pay (earliest day the tenancy is forfeit)3 court days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1161(2) (operative Feb. 1, 2025)
3-day notice to perform covenant (cure) or quit: last day to cure3 court days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1161(3)
3-day notice to quit (nuisance, waste, unlawful use, assignment or subletting): end of notice period3 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1161(4)
Last day to serve 3-day notice for a given rent installment12 months afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1161(2)
60-day notice to terminate periodic residential tenancy (tenant 1 year or more): earliest termination date60 days afterCal. Civ. Code 1946.1(b) (amended eff. Jan. 1, 2025, SB 1103)
30-day notice to terminate periodic residential tenancy (tenant less than 1 year): earliest termination date30 days afterCal. Civ. Code 1946.1(c)
30-day notice on sale of separately alienable unit: last day to give notice after escrow opens120 days afterCal. Civ. Code 1946.1(d)(4)
30-day notice terminating month-to-month tenancy (Civ. Code 1946): earliest termination date30 days afterCal. Civ. Code 1946(a) (amended eff. Jan. 1, 2025, SB 611)
90-day notice to quit after foreclosure sale (tenant or subtenant in possession): earliest removal date90 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1161b(a), (b)
Just cause (no-fault) termination: relocation assistance due15 days afterCal. Civ. Code 1946.2(d) (amended eff. Jan. 1, 2026, AB 1529; repealed Jan. 1, 2030)
Owner move-in just cause: intended occupant must move in90 days afterCal. Civ. Code 1946.2(b)(2)(A)(v), (vi)
Response to UD complaint (answer, demurrer, motion to strike)10 court days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1167(a), (b) (amended by Stats. 2024, ch. 512 (AB 2347), eff. Jan. 1, 2025)
Earliest court day to request entry of default (no response filed)11 court days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1169, 1167
Proof of service of summons filed (court may dismiss if not filed)60 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1167.1
Demurrer or motion to strike in UD: earliest hearing date5 court days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170(b)(1) (amended by Stats. 2025, ch. 299 (AB 1384), eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
Demurrer or motion to strike in UD: latest hearing date7 court days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170(b)(1) (eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
Written opposition to UD demurrer or motion to strike (if submitted in advance)1 court days beforeCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170(c) (eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
Answer or amend after ruling on UD demurrer5 days afterCal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1320(g)
UD summary judgment: notice of motion5 days beforeCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170.7; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1351(a)
UD summary judgment: written opposition (if submitted in advance)1 court days beforeCal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1351(b), (c)
UD: responses to interrogatories5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 2030.260(b)
UD: responses to demands for inspection or production5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 2031.260(b)
UD: responses to requests for admission5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 2033.250(b)
UD: last day to serve deposition notice5 days beforeCal. Code Civ. Proc. 2025.270(b)
UD: latest date a deposition may be scheduled5 days beforeCal. Code Civ. Proc. 2025.270(b); 2016.060
UD trial: latest trial date after request to set trial20 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170.5(a)
UD trial when defendant misses court-ordered payment15 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170.5(d)
Redemption: pay rent, damages and costs into court after UD judgment (when court so orders)5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174(c)
Petition for relief from forfeiture: serve notice and petition before hearing5 days beforeCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1179
Writ of possession: occupants must vacate (earliest lockout)5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 715.020(c); 715.010(b)(2)
Personal property left after lockout: last day to reclaim (pay storage)15 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 715.010(b)(3); 1174(h)
Prejudgment claim of right to possession: last day for occupant to file10 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174.25(a)(1); 415.46
Claimant's response to UD complaint after filing prejudgment claim5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174.25(b)
Post-judgment claim of right to possession: deliver rent deposit and fee (or fee waiver) to court2 court days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174.3(c)(1), (2)
Post-judgment claim of right to possession (rent deposited): earliest hearing5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174.3(c)(1)
Post-judgment claim of right to possession (rent deposited): latest hearing15 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174.3(c)(1)
Post-judgment claim of right to possession (no rent deposit): hearing date5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174.3(c)(2)
Claimant named as defendant after valid post-judgment claim: response5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1174.3(e)(2)
Notice of appeal, limited civil UD (30 days after service of notice of entry or filed-endorsed judgment)30 days afterCal. Rules of Court, rule 8.822(a)(1)(A), (B), (d)
Notice of appeal, limited civil UD (90 days after entry of judgment, outer limit)90 days afterCal. Rules of Court, rule 8.822(a)(1)(C)
Notice of appeal after denial of new trial motion (limited civil): 15 days after service of denial15 days afterCal. Rules of Court, rule 8.823(a), (b)(1)
Cross-appeal (limited civil): 10 days after clerk serves notification of first appeal10 days afterCal. Rules of Court, rule 8.823(g)(1)
UD motion to quash service (CCP 418.10): earliest hearing date, not less than 3 days after notice filed3 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1167.4(a)
UD motion to quash service (CCP 418.10): latest hearing date, not more than 7 days after notice filed7 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1167.4(a)
UD: plead within 5 days after service of written notice of entry of order denying motion to quash5 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1167.4(b)
UD: maximum extension of time to plead without adverse party's consent (10 days)10 days afterCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1167.5
UD discovery motion: notice at least 5 days before hearing5 days beforeCal. Code Civ. Proc. 1170.8
Uninhabitable dwelling: landlord may not demand rent or serve 3-day notice if cited conditions remain unabated 35 days after service of the agency notice35 days afterCal. Civ. Code 1942.4(a)(3)
Unlawful detainer: remote-appearance trial evidence served and submitted (Santa Cruz County)5 court days beforeSanta Cruz Super. Ct. Evidence Submission for Non-Criminal Trials and Evidentiary Hearings (2/04/2022)

Rules changelog · For developers: /api/deadlines?state=CA-UD and the calculate_deadline tool in the 1Court MCP server.

Santa Cruz County, California Evictions Deadline Calculator | 1Court