California AB 2042 Is Law: What Changes for Eviction Service in 2027?
California AB 2042 was approved September 20, 2026 and becomes part of the 2027 service-of-process framework. Here is what rental housing providers and tenants should know about the new proof-of-service rules without confusing them with a termination notice.
The short answer
AB 2042 is no longer pending. California's official legislative record shows that Governor Gavin Newsom approved AB 2042 on September 20, 2026 and that it was chaptered the same day as Chapter 379, Statutes of 2026.
The law works with service-of-process changes that become operative January 1, 2027. For unlawful-detainer and other covered civil service, the statutory framework requires more detailed proof of attempts and service, including photographs with time/location information in specified circumstances. AB 2042 also clarifies the remedy when a party says service was not lawfully effected.
What the 2027 proof-of-service rules require
The enrolled bill states that, beginning January 1, 2027, reasonable diligence for specified civil service means at least three good-faith personal-delivery attempts on three different days at three different times before using certain alternative service methods.
The statute also requires proof of service under specified methods to include one or more photographs of each effected or attempted service. The photograph generally must include a readable date, time and GPS or equivalent location stamp. If a usable GPS, cellular or equivalent signal is unavailable, the process server must provide the detailed statement required by the statute.
There is a safety exception for the photograph
The statute expressly says a photograph is not required when, in the process server's reasonable judgment, taking it would compromise the process server's safety. In that situation, the process server must document the service or attempted service and explain why the photograph would have compromised safety.
That is different from simply omitting the photograph. The proof-of-service record still needs to follow the statute's documentation requirements.
What AB 2042 clarified about a service challenge
Code of Civil Procedure section 473.2, as amended, allows a party who was not served in accordance with the governing service chapter to seek to set aside or vacate a default or default judgment and seek leave to defend, or seek dismissal where dismissal is otherwise permitted by law.
AB 2042 clarifies that an asserted service defect does not create a new automatic dismissal rule. The moving party must offer evidence that service was not lawfully effected; when that threshold is met, the party seeking the default or default judgment bears the burden described in the statute to prove lawful service.
The operative date matters
The amended service provisions apply to service attempted or completed on or after January 1, 2027. The statute also says the new section does not alter a court's existing authority regarding a proof of service filed before that operative date.
That means a 2026 service event should not be retroactively judged solely by a 2027 photograph requirement. Use the rules that apply to the actual service date and case posture.
Do not confuse the summons with the termination notice
This article addresses service of the civil summons and complaint and the proof-of-service framework reflected in AB 2042 and the statutes it amends. A pre-filing rental termination notice is a different document and can have its own service rules.
When preparing a California rental file, keep the notice stage, court-filing stage and summons/service stage separate. Do not copy a service checklist from one stage into another without checking the controlling statute and current court forms.
2027 workflow for rental housing teams
Before a 2027 filing, verify the current statute and Judicial Council forms, preserve the termination-notice record, use a qualified service process, and retain every proof-of-service attachment the law requires. Property managers should also update internal compliance checklists so older 2026 instructions are not reused after the operative date.
Max Rental Tools can help organize rental notices, resident-file records and compliance documents, but court service and litigation procedure should be checked against current California law, Judicial Council materials and qualified legal advice when needed.
Common questions
Did California AB 2042 become law?
Yes. The official California Legislative Information status page shows that the Governor approved AB 2042 on September 20, 2026 and that it was chaptered as Chapter 379, Statutes of 2026.
When do the new service provisions become operative?
The relevant amended service provisions are operative January 1, 2027 and apply to service attempted or completed on or after that date.
Will every service photograph always be required?
The statute contains a safety exception. When taking a photograph would compromise the process server's safety, the server must document the service or attempt and provide the required explanation instead.
Does AB 2042 mean every defective service automatically dismisses an eviction case?
No. AB 2042 clarifies the available motion framework and preserves dismissal only where otherwise permitted by law; it does not create an automatic new dismissal rule for every alleged service defect.
Official sources
California Legislative Information — AB 2042 StatusCalifornia Legislative Information — AB 2042 Enrolled TextCalifornia Courts — Self-Help Eviction ResourcesContinue your check
Use the state directory for current jurisdiction-specific rules, calculate the proposed increase, then prepare the appropriate rental document only after the legal-rule checks are complete.