(a) Time for filing supplemental cost memorandum In unlawful detainer proceedings, the plaintiff who has complied with Code of Civil Procedure section 1034.5 may, no later than 10 days after being advised by the sheriff or marshal of the exact amount necessarily used and expended to effect the eviction, file a supplemental cost memorandum claiming the additional costs and specifying the items paid and the amount. (Subd (a) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as part of untitled subd effective January 1, 1987.)
Rule 3.2000.Unlawful detainer—supplemental costs
Division 20. Unlawful Detainers · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.2000 lets an unlawful detainer plaintiff file a supplemental memorandum for the actual eviction costs the sheriff or marshal reports, gives the defendant ten days to move to tax those costs, and directs the clerk to enter judgment for whatever costs are fixed, enforceable like any money judgment.
Full Text of Rule 3.2000
(b) Motion to tax costs The defendant may move to tax those costs within 10 days after service of the supplemental cost memorandum. (Subd (b) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as part of untitled subd effective January 1, 1987.)
(c) Entry of judgment for costs and enforcement After costs have been fixed by the court, or on failure of the defendant to file a timely notice of motion to tax costs, the clerk must immediately enter judgment for the costs. The judgment may be enforced in the same manner as a money judgment. (Subd (c) amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as part of untitled subd effective January 1, 1987.)
Plain-English Summary
Evicting a tenant after winning an unlawful detainer judgment costs money that the plaintiff often cannot know in advance, since the sheriff or marshal carries out the eviction and reports back what it took to complete it. Rule 3.2000 lets the plaintiff recover those costs after the fact rather than guessing at them earlier in the case. Once the sheriff or marshal advises the plaintiff of the exact amount spent on the eviction, the plaintiff has ten days to file a supplemental memorandum itemizing those costs and the amounts paid.
The defendant is not stuck accepting the supplemental costs as claimed. Rule 3.2000(b) gives the defendant ten days after service of that memorandum to move to tax the costs, challenging specific items the same way a party would contest an ordinary cost memorandum.
Once the court fixes the amount, or the ten-day window to challenge it passes without a motion, the clerk enters judgment for the supplemental costs without further action from the plaintiff. From there, that judgment is enforceable the same way as any other money judgment, letting the plaintiff use the standard collection tools to recover it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a landlord recover eviction costs after an unlawful detainer judgment in California?
By filing a supplemental cost memorandum within ten days of being advised by the sheriff or marshal of the exact amount spent to carry out the eviction, under Rule 3.2000(a).
Can a tenant challenge the supplemental eviction costs claimed?
Yes. Rule 3.2000(b) gives the defendant ten days after service of the supplemental cost memorandum to move to tax those costs.
How is a judgment for supplemental unlawful detainer costs enforced?
The same way as any other money judgment, under Rule 3.2000(c), once the court fixes the costs or the time to challenge them passes.
Amendment History
Rule 3.2000 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as part of rule 870.4 effective January 1, 1987.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: unlawful detainer eviction costs Californiasupplemental cost memorandum sheriff evictionCRC rule 3.2000