Answering an eviction in San Diego County

Short answer: if the eviction papers (the Summons and Complaint) were handed to you, you have 10 court days to file an Answer, form UD-105, counting from the day after. Saturdays, Sundays and court holidays don't count. If they were left with someone at your home or work, or posted on your door, and then mailed, you get 10 calendar days plus 10 court days. Miss it and "the judge can decide the case without hearing from you" (California Courts). Filing costs $225, $370 or $435 in San Diego County depending on how much the landlord is suing for, or ask for a fee waiver. Free help for North County: the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, (619) 235-5656.

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• You were just handed eviction papers
  Count 10 court days from tomorrow; skip weekends and court holidays.
• You can't afford the filing fee
  $225 to $435, or a fee waiver on form FW-001.
• You want free help with the forms
  The court's clinics, by region, with phone numbers.

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"The deadline starts the day after you were served" (California Courts).

• Handed to you: "You have 10 court days to file your Answer. This includes if the server handed them to you directly, or left them near you if you refused to take them. For court days, don't count Saturdays, Sundays, or court holidays."
• Left with someone at your home or work, or posted on your door, then mailed: "You have 10 calendar days plus 10 court days." Count every day for the first 10, then 10 more court days.
• Served through Safe at Home: "You have 15 court days (do not count Saturdays, Sundays, or court holidays) to file an Answer."

Because the time is short, the courts say "it's best if you go in person."

1. Fill out the Answer, form UD-105, plus copies: "1 copy of the Answer for you and every tenant named in the Complaint."
2. Have it served on the landlord: "After your server mails a copy of the Answer (form UD-105), you need to file it with the court."
3. File it at the clerk's office: "Go to the courthouse address at the top of the Complaint you were served with." In North County that's usually the North County Regional Center, 325 South Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081 (Superior Court).
4. Keep the stamped copies: "The clerk will stamp all the forms, keep the original and return the filed copies to you" (California Courts).

• $225 when the landlord is suing for $10,000 or less.
• $370 for more than $10,000 up to $35,000.
• $435 for more than $35,000.

Those are the Answer fees in the Superior Court of San Diego County fee schedule effective September 1, 2026. "Each tenant named in the Answer needs to pay a filing fee or ask for a fee waiver." You qualify for a waiver if "You receive public benefits," "Your income is less than a set amount" or "You can't afford the fee and meet your basic needs." The waiver request is form FW-001, the Request to Waive Court Fees (California Courts).

• North County, East County and South County: San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, (619) 235-5656.
• Downtown (Hall of Justice): Legal Aid Society of San Diego, (877) 534-2524.

The court lists both under Landlord/Tenant (Unlawful Detainer): "Assistance is provided at courthouse walk-in clinics on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff can explain procedures and help you prepare forms" (Superior Court self-help).

Where PJ fits: text PJ, a local in Cardiff, and he points you to the right clinic, courthouse and form, free. He can't be paid to help with the case itself: in San Diego County, "Unlawful Detainer Assistants are those who, for compensation, provide assistance or advice in the prosecution or defense of an unlawful detainer claim or action," and they register with the County Clerk. Text PJ.

More renter help: mobile home space rent in Encinitas · getting a security deposit back.

Sources: California Courts, respond to an eviction, file your Answer, Superior Court of San Diego County fee schedule, self-help contacts, County Clerk, Unlawful Detainer Assistant. Paperwork pointers, not legal advice. Checked October 30, 2026.

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