Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.110. Section 1250.110.
An eminent domain proceeding is commenced by filing a complaint with the court.
ARTICLE 2. Commencement of Proceeding Generally [1250.110. - 1250.150.]
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 2.
in effectCal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.120. Section 1250.120.
(a)
Except as provided in subdivision (b), the form and contents of the summons shall be as in civil actions generally.
(b)
Where process is served by publication, in addition to the summons, the publication shall describe the property sought to be taken in a manner reasonably calculated to give persons with an interest in the property actual notice of the pending proceeding.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.125. Section 1250.125.
(a)
Where summons is served by publication, the publication may name only the defendants to be served thereby and describe only the property in which the defendants to be served thereby have or claim interests.
(b)
Judgment based on failure to appear and answer following service under this section shall be conclusive against the defendants named in respect only to property described in the publication.
(c)
Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a defendant who did not receive the offer required by Section
7267.2 of the Government Code because the owner could not be located with reasonable diligence, who was served by publication, and who failed to appear, may contest the amount of compensation within one year of the judgment and for good cause shown, whereupon that issue shall be litigated according to the provisions of this title.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.130. Section 1250.130.
Where the court orders service by publication, it shall also order the plaintiff (1) to post a copy of the summons and complaint on the property sought to be taken and (2), if not already recorded, to record a notice of the pendency of the proceeding in the manner provided by Section 1250.150. Such posting and recording shall be done not later than 10 days after the date the order is made.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.140. Section 1250.140.
Where the state is a defendant, the summons and the complaint shall be served on the Attorney General.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.150. Section 1250.150.
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.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026