Cal. Civ. Code § 250.502
Summons and Service
Operative Text
(a) Upon the filing of the complaint, the justice of the peace shall issue a summons which recites substantially the complaint, is directed to any writ server, constable or the sheriff of the county and commands that writ server, constable or sheriff to summon the tenant to appear before the justice of the peace to answer the complaint on a date not less than seven nor more than ten days from the date of the summons. (b) The summons may be served personally on the tenant, by mail or by posting the summons conspicuously on the leased premises. (502 added July 6, 1995, P.L.261, No.36) Compiler's Note: Section 28 of Act 207 of 2004 provided that any and all references in any other law to a "district justice" or "justice of the peace" shall be deemed to be references to a magisterial district judge.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.502, once a landlord files a complaint in a landlord-tenant proceeding, the magisterial district judge (formerly called a justice of the peace) must issue a summons that summarizes the complaint and directs a writ server, constable, or sheriff to notify the tenant. The tenant must be given a hearing date that falls no sooner than seven days and no later than ten days from the date the summons is issued. The summons can reach the tenant through personal delivery, by mail, or by being posted visibly on the rental property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords initiating a removal or eviction proceeding under 68 P.S. § 250.502 should understand that once the complaint is filed, the court—not the landlord—controls issuance and service of the summons. A compliant operator keeps accurate records of the tenant's current address and the leased premises location, since service may be completed by mail or posting if personal service is not achieved. Being aware of the seven-to-ten-day hearing window helps operators plan accordingly for scheduling and documentation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.502, a tenant is entitled to receive a summons that summarizes the complaint against them and provides a hearing date between seven and ten days from the summons date, giving them time to prepare a response. The summons may arrive by personal delivery, mail, or by being posted on the rental unit, so tenants should watch for notices on their door as well as in their mailbox. Tenants who receive such a summons may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand their options before the scheduled hearing date.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.