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Court Rules

California Rules of Court

Rule 3.2236. Service of Petition

Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.2236

Current text effective July 1, 2014.

#(a) Respondent

Unless the respondent public agency has agreed to accept service of summons electronically, the petitioner or plaintiff must personally serve the petition or complaint on the respondent public agency within three court days after the date of filing.

#(b) Real parties in interest

The petitioner or plaintiff must serve the petition or complaint on any real party in interest named in the pleading within three court days after the date of filing.

#(c) Attorney General

The petitioner or plaintiff must serve the petition or complaint on the Attorney General within three court days after the date of filing

#(d) Responsible agencies

The petitioner or plaintiff must serve the petition or complaint on any responsible agencies or public agencies with jurisdiction over a natural resource affected by the project within two court days of receipt of a list of such agencies from respondent public agency.

#(e) Proof of service

The petitioner or plaintiff must file proof of service on each respondent, real party in interest, or agency within one court day of completion of service.

#History

Rule 3.2236 adopted effective July 1, 2014.

What this rule requires

Service and Proof of Service Rules

  • Unless the respondent public agency has agreed to accept service of summons electronically, the petitioner or plaintiff must personally serve the petition or complaint on the respondent public agency within three court days after the date of filing.

  • The petitioner or plaintiff must serve the petition or complaint on any real party in interest named in the pleading within three court days after the date of filing.

  • The petitioner or plaintiff must serve the petition or complaint on the Attorney General within three court days after the date of filing

  • The petitioner or plaintiff must serve the petition or complaint on any responsible agencies or public agencies with jurisdiction over a natural resource affected by the project within two court days of receipt of a list of such agencies from respondent public agency.

  • The petitioner or plaintiff must file proof of service on each respondent, real party in interest, or agency within one court day of completion of service.

Official text: courts.ca.gov , checked October 19, 2026.