How long does a commercial eviction take in Los Angeles County?

Los Angeles commercial evictions typically take 60–120 days due to the court's high volume. An uncontested UD can take 45–75 days; a contested action with an experienced commercial tenant attorney can extend to 6 months or more. LA is one of the most tenant-favorable jurisdictions in California.

Where do I file a commercial unlawful detainer in Los Angeles?

Commercial UD complaints in Los Angeles County are typically filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. For properties in other parts of LA County, filing may be required at a district courthouse (e.g., Chatsworth, Norwalk, Long Beach, Torrance).

What is the filing fee for a commercial unlawful detainer in LA County?

Filing fees for unlawful detainer actions in LA County depend on the amount claimed: $240 for claims under $10,000; $370 for $10,001–$25,000; higher fees apply for larger claims. Additional fees apply for service of process and writs of possession.

Los Angeles Commercial Eviction Timeline & Guide

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Los Angeles County — At a Glance

45–120

Days to Lockout

Uncontested to contested

$240+

UD Filing Fee

Based on amount in dispute

#1

Busiest UD Court

In California by volume

High

Tenant-Friendly

Liberal defense interpretation

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LA Superior Court — Courthouse & Filing Information

Primary UD Courthouse

Stanley Mosk Courthouse

111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

UD Department

Limited Civil UD Dept.

Check lacourt.org for current dept. assignments

Filing Fee (≤$10,000)

$240

Higher for larger claim amounts

Filing Fee ($10,001–$25,000)

$370

Unlimited civil: higher fees apply

Court Website

lacourt.org

Case lookup, fee schedules, local rules

Clerk Hours

Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Excluding court holidays

District Courthouses for Outlying Properties

Properties in outlying areas of LA County must be filed at the appropriate district courthouse: Chatsworth Courthouse (San Fernando Valley), Norwalk Courthouse (Southeast LA County), Long Beach Courthouse (South Bay / Long Beach), Torrance Courthouse (South Bay), and Pomona Courthouse (East LA County / San Gabriel Valley). Filing in the wrong courthouse is a jurisdictional defect that can result in dismissal.

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Los Angeles Commercial Eviction Timeline — Local Considerations

Why LA Takes Longer Than Other Counties

Los Angeles Superior Court processes more unlawful detainer filings than any other court in California. This volume creates delays at every stage: summons issuance, trial setting, and writ of possession execution. Commercial landlords in LA should budget 60–90 days minimum even for uncontested actions.

Sheriff's Department Lockout — LA Specific

After a writ of possession is issued, the LA County Sheriff's Department processes the lockout. The Sheriff posts a 5-day notice, then returns to execute the eviction. Wait times from writ issuance to actual lockout in LA County often run 2–4 weeks beyond the 5-day posting period, due to high volume. Plan accordingly in your damage calculations.

LA Commercial Districts & Market Context

Los Angeles has the largest commercial real estate market in California. High-value commercial UD actions frequently involve properties in Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), Century City, El Segundo / LAX corridor, Culver City, Burbank / Glendale, and Long Beach. Monthly commercial rents in DTLA range from $3–$6/sqft (Class B) to $6–$10+/sqft (Class A), creating substantial damages exposure for even short tenant defaults.

LA Tenant Defense Landscape

Los Angeles courts are well-known for liberal interpretation of tenant defenses. Corporate tenants represented by experienced commercial real estate counsel routinely challenge: notice sufficiency, service method validity, waiver by acceptance of partial payment, and landlord's failure to mitigate. Landlords should expect contested actions to take 4–8 months in LA, particularly when tenants file anti-SLAPP motions or demurrers as delay tactics.

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Los Angeles Commercial Eviction — FAQ

LA commercial evictions typically take 60–120 days due to court volume. Uncontested actions can run 45–75 days; contested actions with experienced tenant counsel can extend 6+ months. LA courts are the most backlogged UD courts in California, particularly post-pandemic.

Commercial UD complaints in LA County are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (111 N. Hill St., DTLA) for properties in central LA, or at the appropriate district courthouse for other areas. Filing in the wrong courthouse creates jurisdictional issues. Verify the correct venue at lacourt.org.

Filing fees depend on the amount claimed: $240 for claims under $10,000; $370 for $10,001–$25,000; unlimited civil fees apply for larger claims. Additional costs include service fees, writ fees, and the LA County Sheriff's lockout fee (approximately $145–$200+).

Technically yes, but it is strongly discouraged in Los Angeles. LA commercial tenants are often sophisticated entities with legal counsel who are skilled at exploiting procedural errors. A single defect in notice language, service method, or complaint form can result in dismissal and reset the entire timeline. The cost of an attorney is typically far less than the cost of a dismissed case. See our attorney directory.

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Related Resources

⚖️CCP §1161 — 3-Day Notice ⚖️CCP §1174 — Holdover Damages 📄3-Day Notice Template 🧮Penalty Estimator 📍San Diego County 📍Orange County

Los Angeles County Commercial Eviction Timeline & Guide