(a) Where the lessee has given the lessor written notice of the lessee's intent not to abandon leased real property as provided in Section 1951.3 of the Civil Code, the summons in an action for unlawful detainer of the real property may be served on the lessee by certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the lessee at the address stated in the lessee's notice of intent not to abandon if such summons is deposited in the mail within 60 days from the date the lessee's notice of intent not to abandon is received by the lessor. Service in this manner is deemed completed on the 10th day after such mailing.
§ 415.47.Service Upon Lessee In Action For Unlawful Detainer of Real Property
Title 5. Jurisdiction and Service of Process · Chapter 4. Service of Summons · Article 3. Manner of Service of Summons · Enacted 1974 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 415.47 lets an unlawful detainer summons be served on a lessee by certified mail to the address in the lessee’s notice of intent not to abandon, or to a backup address, as long as the mailing happens within 60 days of the lessor receiving that notice.
Full Text of § 415.47
(b) Where the lessee has given the lessor written notice of the lessee's intent not to abandon leased real property as provided in Section 1951.3 of the Civil Code, but failed to include in such notice an address at which the lessee may be served by certified mail in any action for unlawful detainer of the real property, the summons in an action for unlawful detainer of the real property may be served on the lessee by certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the lessee at (1) the same address or addresses to which the lessor's notice of belief of abandonment was addressed if that notice was given by mail or (2) the address of the real property if the lessor's notice of belief of abandonment was personally served on the lessee. Service may not be made pursuant to this subdivision unless the summons is deposited in the mail within 60 days from the date the lessee's notice of intent not to abandon is received by the lessor. Service in the manner authorized by this subdivision is deemed completed on the 10th day after such mailing.
(c) This section provides an alternative method of service on the lessee and does not preclude service in any other manner authorized by this chapter.
Plain-English Summary
Section 415.47 gives an alternative mail-service method tied to a specific notice a tenant may have already sent. Where a lessee has given the lessor written notice of intent not to abandon the leased real property, as provided in Civil Code § 1951.3, subdivision (a) allows the unlawful detainer summons to be served on the lessee by certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the lessee at the address stated in that notice. The mailing must happen within 60 days of the lessor’s receipt of the lessee’s notice, and service is deemed complete on the 10th day after mailing.
Subdivision (b) covers the situation where the lessee’s notice of intent not to abandon did not include a mailing address. In that case, service may go by certified mail to either the address to which the lessor’s own notice of belief of abandonment was mailed, or, if that notice was personally served instead, to the address of the real property itself. The same 60-day mailing window and 10-day completion rule apply.
Subdivision (c) makes clear this is an alternative method, not an exclusive one — it does not preclude serving the lessee in any other manner this chapter authorizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does § 415.47 mail service work for a lessee who gave notice of intent not to abandon?
Subdivision (a) allows service by certified mail to the address stated in the lessee’s notice, provided the summons is mailed within 60 days of the lessor receiving that notice; service is complete on the 10th day after mailing.
What if the lessee’s notice did not include a mailing address?
Subdivision (b) allows service by certified mail to the address used for the lessor’s notice of belief of abandonment, or to the address of the real property if that notice was personally served, within the same 60-day window.
Does § 415.47 replace the other ways to serve an unlawful detainer summons on a lessee?
No. Subdivision (c) states this section provides an alternative method and does not preclude service in any other manner this chapter authorizes.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 332.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: serving lessee certified mail unlawful detainer californianotice of intent not to abandon service californiaunlawful detainer service on tenant by mail