(a) Exemption from statutory provisions In any actions governed by the rules in this article, any postjudgment motion except for a motion for attorney’s fees and costs is governed by this rule. Such motions are exempt from the timing requirements otherwise applicable to postjudgment motions under Code of Civil Procedure section 1005. Motions in Sacramento arena project cases are also exempt from the timing and procedural requirements of Code of Civil Procedure sections 659 and 663.
Rule 3.2231.Postjudgment motions
Division 22. Petitions Under the California Environmental Quality Act · Chapter 2. California Environmental Quality Act Proceedings Involving Streamlined CEQA Projects · Article 1. General Provisions · Adopted 2014 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.2231 replaces the general Code of Civil Procedure timing rules for postjudgment motions with its own five-day filing deadline, page limits for the memorandum, opposition, and reply, and a directive that the court decide the motion within fifteen days, applying to every postjudgment motion except one for attorney’s fees and costs.
Full Text of Rule 3.2231
(b) Time for postjudgment motions
(1) Time for motions under Code of Civil Procedure section 473 Moving party must serve and file any motion before the earlier of:
(A) Five days after the court clerk mails to the moving party a document entitled “Notice of Entry” of judgment or a file-stamped copy of the judgment, showing the date either was served; or
(B) Five days after the moving party is served by any party with a written notice of judgment or a file-stamped copy of the judgment, accompanied by a proof of service.
(2) Time for motions for new trial or motions to vacate judgment Moving party in Sacramento arena project cases must serve and file motion before the earlier of:
(A) Five days after the court clerk mails to the moving party a document entitled “Notice of Entry” of judgment or a file-stamped copy of the judgment, showing the date either was served; or
(B) Five days after the moving party is served by any party with a written notice of judgment or a file-stamped copy of the judgment, accompanied by a proof of service.
(c) Memorandum A memorandum in support of a postjudgment motion may be no longer than 15 pages.
(d) Opposition to motion Any opposition to the motion must be served and filed within five days of service of the moving papers and may be no longer than 15 pages.
(e) Reply Any reply brief must be served and filed within two court days of service of the opposition papers and may be no longer than 5 pages.
(f) Hearing and decision The court may set a hearing on the motion at its discretion. The court should issue its decision on the motion within 15 days of the filing of the motion.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.2231 keeps the fast-track pace going even after judgment. Every postjudgment motion in a streamlined CEQA case — except a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, which follows ordinary procedure — falls under this rule instead of the general Code of Civil Procedure timing rules for postjudgment motions. Motions under section 473 have to be filed within five days of notice of entry of judgment reaching the moving party, whether that notice comes from the clerk or from another party with proof of service. In Sacramento arena project cases, motions for a new trial or to vacate the judgment run on that same five-day clock, and are also exempt from the separate timing and procedural rules that would otherwise govern them under sections 659 and 663.
The rest of the rule sets a tight rhythm around the motion itself: a supporting memorandum capped at fifteen pages, an opposition due within five days and also capped at fifteen pages, and a reply due within two court days at no more than five pages. The court has discretion whether to hold a hearing at all, but it should rule within fifteen days of the motion being filed either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a party have to file a postjudgment motion in a streamlined CEQA case?
Under Rule 3.2231(b), motions under Code of Civil Procedure section 473 must be filed within five days of notice of entry of judgment reaching the moving party.
Does this rule cover motions for attorney’s fees?
No. Rule 3.2231(a) exempts motions for attorney’s fees and costs, which follow ordinary postjudgment procedure instead.
What are the page limits for postjudgment motion papers under this rule?
Fifteen pages for the supporting memorandum, fifteen pages for the opposition, and five pages for the reply, under Rule 3.2231(c) through (e).
How quickly must the court rule on a postjudgment motion under Rule 3.2231?
Within fifteen days of the motion being filed, under Rule 3.2231(f), though the court has discretion whether to hold a hearing at all.
Amendment History
Rule 3.2231 adopted effective July 1, 2014.
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: CEQA postjudgment motion deadline Californiamotion for new trial CEQA casepage limits postjudgment motion streamlined CEQA