Riverside superior court unlawful detainer cases are eviction lawsuits that landlords file in the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. If you were handed Riverside superior court unlawful detainer papers, the court’s tenant guide says you typically have just 10 days to respond, not counting Saturdays, Sundays, and court holidays.
Riverside Superior Court Unlawful Detainer: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
Every Riverside superior court unlawful detainer case is handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. The court has several buildings across the county. For example, the Riverside Hall of Justice sits in downtown Riverside, across from the Riverside Historic Courthouse. However, your case may be assigned to a different building. Always check the courthouse address printed on your Summons.
To find your case, look for the case number at the top of your court papers. Then call the clerk during phone hours. In most cases, the clerk can tell you where your case is and whether a date is set. The court also lists eviction tools on its Riverside court self-help page. Keep every page of your Riverside superior court unlawful detainer papers together in one folder.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of California, County of Riverside |
| Case type | Riverside superior court unlawful detainer (eviction) |
| Clerk phone | 951-777-3147 |
| Phone hours | Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., except court holidays |
| Courthouse address | Printed on your Summons. Confirm it with the clerk before you go. |
| Case lookup | Use the case number on your Summons. Call the clerk or check the court’s website. |
| Forms | Clerk’s Office at any court location, or the court’s online eviction self-help pages |
| Main response form | Answer, Form UD-105 |
| Fee waiver forms | Form FW-001 (request) and Form FW-003 (order) |
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
The clock on a Riverside superior court unlawful detainer case starts the day you are served. The court’s tenant guide says you must respond within 10 days if the papers were handed to you. Saturdays, Sundays, and court holidays do not count. Don’t wait until the last day. Mail and filing take time.
Were the papers left with someone else, or posted on your door and then mailed? If so, the guide says you get extra time. That extra time counts from the date the papers were mailed, not the date you found them. Rules on counting days can be tricky. Confirm your exact deadline with the clerk or a legal-aid office.
In most cases, tenants respond with an Answer, Form UD-105. Someone 18 or older, other than you, must mail a copy to the landlord. That person fills out a Proof of Service, Form POS-030. Then you file the original Answer, a copy, and the Proof of Service at the courthouse.
If you miss the deadline, the landlord can ask for a “default.” A default means the court may decide the case without hearing your side. As a result, you could lose the Riverside superior court unlawful detainer case, be evicted, and owe money. An eviction record may also make it harder to rent later.
What Happens on Your Court Date at Riverside Superior Court Unlawful Detainer
After you file your Answer, the court’s guide says the clerk mails a trial notice in about one week. Trial is typically set within 20 days after a Request to Set Case for Trial (Form UD-150) is filed. You or your landlord can ask for a jury. On your date, arrive early, go through security, and find your courtroom. Then check in with the courtroom clerk.
Bring your original documents plus 3 copies of each. For example, bring your lease, the notice you got, letters about the unit, and photos of repair problems. You can also bring witnesses who saw what happened. Some Riverside superior court unlawful detainer cases settle before trial. Ask the court or legal aid if settlement help or mediation is offered in your case. Read any deal carefully before you sign it.
If the landlord wins, the judge enters a judgment. The landlord then gets a Writ of Execution. Next, the Sheriff serves a Notice to Vacate, which gives you five days to move. However, you may be able to ask for a Stay of Execution to delay a lockout. Appeals and motions to cancel a Riverside superior court unlawful detainer judgment have strict deadlines. Talk to a lawyer fast.
Free Help in This Courthouse
The court runs Self-Help Legal Services. Staff there help people without a lawyer in eviction cases and other case types. They explain the law and court steps. However, they do not act as your lawyer. You can learn more on the court’s self-help information page. The court also offers free Tenant Assistance on set dates. Check the court’s Civil Self-Help Calendar for current times.
You can also book an in-person appointment with a clerk about Riverside superior court unlawful detainer filings. Clerks can explain forms and filing steps. They cannot tell you what to argue. For that, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. Ask whether free representation is available for your case. This matters most in an active eviction.
Do you need an interpreter? Tell the clerk or courtroom staff as early as you can. Ask exactly how to request one for your hearing. If money is tight, ask about a fee waiver. Use Form FW-001 when you file your Riverside superior court unlawful detainer response. The court will decide whether to approve it.
📨 Get Free Tenant Rights Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my court date?
Look at your Summons for the case number. Then call the clerk at 951-777-3147. In most Riverside superior court unlawful detainer cases, no trial date is set until an Answer is filed and trial is requested.
What if my 10-day deadline already passed?
You may still be able to file if the landlord has not gotten a default yet. If a default was entered, you may need to ask the court to set it aside. Call legal aid or the court’s self-help staff the same day about your Riverside superior court unlawful detainer case.
How much does it cost to file an Answer?
The court’s tenant guide, revised March 7, 2025, lists $255 if the lawsuit is $10,000 or less. It lists $395 for more than $10,000 up to $35,000, and $450 above $35,000. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the clerk. If you cannot pay, ask for a fee waiver.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
Related Guides
- Tenant Rights by State (50-State Guide)
- More in This Category
- Tenant Scenarios — What to Do When…
- Notices, Letters & Documents
- Comparison Guides
- Tenant Rights Legal Glossary
Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.