The plaintiff, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, shall record a notice of the pendency of the proceeding in the office of the county recorder of any county in which property described in the complaint is located. A copy of the notice shall be served with the summons and complaint.
§ 1250.150.Recording and Serving Notice of Pendency of Proceeding
Title 7. Eminent Domain Law · Chapter 5. Commencement of Proceeding · Article 2. Commencement of Proceeding Generally · Last amended 1983 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1250.150 requires the plaintiff, at the time the proceeding is commenced, to record a notice of the pendency of the proceeding with the county recorder in every county where the described property is located, and to serve a copy with the summons and complaint.
Full Text of § 1250.150
Plain-English Summary
This is the lis pendens requirement for eminent domain cases, and it is mandatory rather than optional. As soon as the proceeding starts, the plaintiff must record a notice of the pendency of the proceeding in the office of the county recorder — in every county where any part of the described property sits.
The plaintiff also has to serve a copy of that notice along with the summons and complaint, so the named defendants learn about the recording at the same time they learn about the lawsuit itself.
Recording this notice puts the world on notice that the property is subject to a pending condemnation action, protecting the plaintiff's position against later purchasers or lienholders and giving anyone checking title a clear signal that the property's status is in dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must the plaintiff record the notice of pendency?
At the time the eminent domain proceeding is commenced, under § 1250.150.
Where is the notice recorded?
In the office of the county recorder of any county in which property described in the complaint is located.
Does the defendant get a copy of this notice?
Yes. A copy must be served along with the summons and complaint.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 78, Sec. 2.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: lis pendens eminent domain californianotice of pendency condemnation proceeding