Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.210. Section 1250.210.
Each person seeking to take property by eminent domain shall be named as a plaintiff.
ARTICLE 3. Parties; Joinder of Property [1250.210. - 1250.250.]
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 3.
in effectCal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.220. Section 1250.220.
(a)
The plaintiff shall name as defendants, by their real names, those persons who appear of record or are known by the plaintiff to have or claim an interest in the property described in the complaint.
(b)
If a person described in subdivision (a) is dead and the plaintiff knows of a duly qualified and acting personal representative of the estate of such person, the plaintiff shall name such personal representative as a defendant. If a person described in subdivision (a) is dead or is believed by the plaintiff to be dead and if plaintiff knows of no duly qualified and acting personal
representative of the estate of such person and states these facts in an affidavit filed with the complaint, plaintiff may name as defendants “the heirs and devisees of ____ (naming such deceased person), deceased, and all persons claiming by, through, or under said decedent,“ naming them in that manner and, where it is stated in the affidavit that such person is believed by the plaintiff to be dead, such person also may be named as a defendant.
(c)
In addition to those persons described in subdivision (a), the plaintiff may name as defendants “all persons unknown claiming an interest in the property,” naming them in that manner.
(d)
A judgment rendered in a proceeding under this title is binding and conclusive upon all persons named as defendants as provided in this section and properly served.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.230. Section 1250.230.
Any person who claims a legal or equitable interest in the property described in the complaint may appear in the proceeding. Whether or not such person is named as a defendant in the complaint, he shall appear as a defendant.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.240. Section 1250.240.
The plaintiff may join in one complaint all property located within the same county which is sought to be acquired for the same project.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.250. Section 1250.250.
(a)
If the only interest of the county or other taxing agency in the property described in the complaint is a lien for ad valorem taxes, the county or other taxing agency need not be named as a defendant.
(b)
The holder of a lien that secures a special assessment or a bond representing the special assessment shall be named as a defendant, regardless of the nature of the special assessment and the manner of collection of the special assessment. The holder of the lien may, instead of an answer, certify to the court within 30 days after service of the summons and
complaint on the holder all of the following information:
(1)
A complete description of the lien.
(2)
A description of the property encumbered by the lien.
(3)
The amount remaining due on the lien as of the date of the certificate.
(4)
The date upon which each installment payable on the lien is due and the amount of each installment.
(c)
A copy of the certification shall be sent by first-class mail to all parties to the proceeding at the time it is provided to the court. The filing of the certification or answer shall be considered as a general appearance.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026