Source data
California Courts ordinary small claims monetary and frequency limits
Sources checked
- 01Individual
Ordinary limit of USD 12,500 per case. Source 1
- 02Business
Ordinary limit of USD 6,250 per case. Source 1
- 03Repeated claims
Two claims above USD 2,500 per calendar year. Source 1
Start with the plaintiff category. Then count claims above USD 2,500 already filed in the calendar year.
California Courts ordinary small claims monetary and frequency limits
Figures are in US dollars. These are the court’s general limits. The legal basis of the claim and the identity of the claimant can affect the appropriate procedure.
| Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary individual claim | USD 12,500 | General limit per small claims case | Source 1 |
| Ordinary business claim | USD 6,250 | General limit per small claims case for a business claimant | Source 1 |
| Claims above USD 2,500 | Two per calendar year | Separate from the per-case maximum | Source 1 |
| Claim of exactly USD 2,500 | The frequency rule covers amounts above USD 2,500 | Apply the claimant’s own case limit and the rules for the dispute | Source 1 |
| Claim exceeding the applicable per-case limit | Review other filing options | California Courts discusses limited civil cases and giving up the excess | Source 1 |