CASTILLON v. DOUDNA
Motion for Attorneys Fees
Motion type
Causes of action
Monetary amounts referenced
Parties
Ruling
(c) The enforcement agency, tenant, or tenant association or organization may seek and the court may order, the appointment of a receiver for the substandard building pursuant to this subdivision. In its petition to the court, the enforcement agency, tenant, or tenant association or organization shall include proof that notice of the petition was posted in a prominent place on the substandard building and mailed first-class mail to all persons with a recorded interest in the real property upon which the substandard building exists not less than three days prior to filing the petition. The petition shall be served on the owner pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 415.10) of Chapter 4 of Title 5 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure . . . . (emphasis added)
While the post and mail pre-filing notice requirement has been established by CITY, the court cannot find any proof of service of the petition/motion papers on Defendant in a manner authorized for service of summons.
The only post-filing proof of service filed with the court by CITY claimed service of only the petition itself, not the notice of motion (hearing) or any of the supporting papers. Furthermore, the only manner of service claimed of the petition itself was posting.
Post-filing post and mail service is authorized only for unlawful detainer actions. C.C.P. §415.45.
Generally, except as to out-of-state residents, mail service is insufficient, and personal or substituted service is preferred. C.C.P. §§415.10—415.30; 415.40.
If despite reasonable diligence service cannot be effected in a manner authorized by those statutes, a plaintiff making such a showing can seek court authorization to serve by publication. C.C.P. §415.50.
The court therefore continues this matter to September 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Dept. 3, to give CITY time to exercise reasonable diligence to try to locate Defendant for service of all petition/motion papers and an amended notice for this continued hearing date, in one of the statutorily-authorized manners.
It also concerns the court that a receiver based in Southern California can be expected to claim significantly more time incurred for the proposed nuisance abatement activities than one based in Northern California. The court thus would appreciate an explanation as to why CITY has proposed a Southern California-based receiver.
CASTILLON v. DOUDNA Case No. FCS057789
Motion for Attorneys Fees
TENTATIVE RULING
The unopposed motion is granted, with the court exercising its discretion under C.C.P. §527.6(s) to award attorneys fees and costs to the prevailing party Petitioner IRMA CASTILLON, and against Respondent ANNETTE DOUDNA, in the total amount of $1,350.00, as only part of the work undertaken by counsel in the relevant time period can be attributed to him successfully seeking renewal of the previously-issued civil harassment restraining order.
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