Blog / Local rules
Orange County Cities That Require Notice Filing
- Most Orange County cities follow state law only, but Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach make landlords notify the city when a termination notice is served.
- Santa Ana: the notice and proof of service within 5 days, through the city's Rental Registry.
- Costa Mesa: the city's notification form within 72 hours.
- Laguna Beach: a copy of the termination notice within 3 calendar days.
Orange County has far fewer local eviction rules than Los Angeles County, so many landlords do not expect a city filing step. Three cities have one. Missing it can complicate the eviction, so check the property's city before you serve. Our notice filing tool has a button for each city's portal or form.
Santa Ana
Santa Ana is the only Orange County city with rent control. For units covered by its Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, a copy of the termination notice and the proof of service must be submitted to the city within 5 days of service. Submissions go through the city's Rental Registry portal, where owners also register covered units. See our Santa Ana eviction lawyer page for the other local rules.
Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa's tenant protection ordinance requires landlords to notify the city on its form within 72 hours of serving a notice to terminate tenancy, and the city's form asks for copies of the documents served. Some summaries describe this as applying only to no fault terminations, but the city's notice does not limit it that way. The city was considering changes to the ordinance in 2026, so confirm the current rule with the city before you serve.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach's ordinance, effective April 2024, requires a copy of a notice to terminate tenancy to be filed with the city within 3 calendar days. City sources differ on whether this covers every termination notice or only notices for demolition or substantial remodel, so filing a copy of every termination notice is the safer course. Call the city's housing coordinator for the filing method.
What about the rest of Orange County?
In cities without a local ordinance, the state rules apply: the Tenant Protection Act's just cause and rent cap rules for most properties, and the state's notice requirements. There is no city filing step in those cities that we know of, but ordinances change, so check with the city if you are unsure. Every Orange County eviction case is filed at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana; see where to file an eviction.
Common mistakes
- Treating a Santa Ana unit like any other Orange County rental and skipping the Rental Registry filing.
- Missing Costa Mesa's 72 hour window by waiting until the notice period runs out.
- Filing the notice without the proof of service where the city requires both.
- Not keeping a copy of the submission or confirmation for court.
How we help
Our online eviction notices are $150 each, and the order page shows the city filing step for Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach properties. For full attorney representation, request a case review. Los Angeles County landlords should read LA County cities that require filing eviction notices.
This article is general information, not legal advice. We checked these rules against city sources in October 2026. Cities change their ordinances and filing methods, so confirm the current requirement before you rely on it.
This article is general information about California law as of its date, not legal advice for your situation. Laws and local ordinances change, and court decisions can be reviewed or reversed. Reading it does not create an attorney client relationship.