Small claims court in California

$12,500maximum claim in Small claims court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $12,500^1,2,3Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 116.220, 116.221
Individuals may sue for up to $12,500. Businesses and other plaintiffs may sue for up to $6,250, and lower limits apply to some claims against guarantors.
Court: Small claims court^1,2Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 116.220
The California court system calls it small claims court.
Filing fee: $30 to $100¹
The state court self-help page says the filing fee is between $30 and $100. People who cannot afford it can ask for a fee waiver.
Lawyers: No¹
You can get advice from a lawyer before court, but a lawyer cannot represent you or come with you to the hearing.
Appeals: 30 days (defendant only)^1,4Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 116.710
Only a party ordered to pay can appeal, which is usually the defendant. A plaintiff cannot appeal the loss of their own claim. The appeal must be filed within 30 days after the Notice of Entry of Judgment is handed or mailed to you.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract: 4 years⁵Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 337
4 years from the date the contract was broken.
Oral contract: 2 years⁵Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 339
2 years from the date the contract was broken.
Property damage: 3 years⁵Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 338
3 years from the date the property was damaged.
Personal injury: 2 years⁵Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 335.1
2 years from the date of injury.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

Small claims in California, Judicial Branch of Californiaofficial
California Code of Civil Procedure 116.220 (2023 California Code), Justia (reproduction of state code text), 2023secondary
California Code of Civil Procedure 116.221 (2025 California Code), Justia (reproduction of state code text), 2025secondary
Appeal (challenge) the judge's decision, Judicial Branch of Californiaofficial
Deadlines to sue someone, Judicial Branch of Californiaofficial

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.