How much can you claim in small claims court in California?

An individual can claim up to $12,500. A business can claim up to $6,250. A public agency can claim up to $6,250. That comes from Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221, Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.220.

What does it cost to file a small claims claim in California?

$30 for a claim up to $1,500. $50 for a claim up to $5,000. $75 for a claim up to $12,500. That comes from Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230.

How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in California?

The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §339. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

Do you have to ask for the money before filing in California?

Yes. California expects you to have asked for payment first, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.320. The demand letter is the usual way to do that.

Which court handles small claims in California?

Small Claims Court. The small claims division of the Superior Court in each county.

Small claims in California

The court

Small Claims Court: The small claims division of the Superior Court in each county.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in California
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$12,500	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221
A business	$6,250	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.220
A public agency	$6,250	Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.220

What it costs to file

The fee runs from $30 to $75, set by the size of the claim.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230 · The filing fee is $30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 up to $5,000, and $75 above that. A party with more than 12 filings in the past year pays $100.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 2 years from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §339 · A claim based on a spoken agreement must be filed within two years of the breach.

Also worth knowing

A claim against a city, county, or state agency usually has to be presented to that agency first, within six months of the event, before it can go to court. Cal. Gov. Code §911.2
You may not file more than two small claims for over $2,500 anywhere in California in the same calendar year. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.231
You can still bring the claim in small claims court if you give up the amount over the limit. You cannot bring the rest later. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.220

Does small claims fit your dispute in California?

Pick what it is about. The next screens ask the amount and the dates. Nothing is saved, and no account is needed.

The detail

The limit
The limit is the most the court can award on one claim. It depends on who is claiming, and in some states on which court hears it.
What it costs
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
How long you have
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.
Contractor Dispute claims in California
The day the work was due, or the day you found the problem
Property Damage claims in California
The day the damage happened
Sale of Goods claims in California
The day the sale went wrong
Security Deposit claims in California
The day you moved out
Unpaid Invoice claims in California
The day the payment was due and not paid

Common questions

How much can you claim in small claims court in California?: An individual can claim up to $12,500. A business can claim up to $6,250. A public agency can claim up to $6,250. That comes from Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221, Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.220.
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in California?: $30 for a claim up to $1,500. $50 for a claim up to $5,000. $75 for a claim up to $12,500. That comes from Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230.
How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in California?: The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §339. Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in California?: Yes. California expects you to have asked for payment first, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.320. The demand letter is the usual way to do that.
Which court handles small claims in California?: Small Claims Court. The small claims division of the Superior Court in each county.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open California's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.

Open the court's small claims page

Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-01-01.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221 · effective 2024-01-01 · An individual can bring a claim for up to $12,500 in small claims court.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.220 · effective 2024-01-01 · A business or agency can bring a claim for up to $6,250. Any claimant can give up the amount over the limit to stay in small claims.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230 · effective 2008-01-01 · The filing fee is $30 for claims up to $1,500, $50 up to $5,000, and $75 above that. A party with more than 12 filings in the past year pays $100.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §339 · effective 1997-01-01 · A claim based on a spoken agreement must be filed within two years of the breach.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.320 · effective 2008-01-01 · The claim form asks you to state that, where possible, you demanded payment before filing.
Cal. Gov. Code §911.2 · effective 2016-06-27 · A claim for damage to person or property against a government agency must be presented to the agency within six months.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.231 · effective 1998-09-28 · No one may file more than two small claims over $2,500 anywhere in California in one calendar year.

FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.