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Default rule and exceptions
To ask the City of Los Angeles to pay for damage, file a claim with the Office of the Los Angeles City Clerk. Claims for injury to personal property must be filed within six months of the date of occurrence, and other claims, including real property damage, within one year.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Claimant (property owner or renter) | Files a written claim with the City Clerk within six months for personal property or one year for other claims such as real property. |
| Office of the Los Angeles City Clerk | Receives claims filed with the City, online or by mail. |
| Exceptions | Any other claim, including claims for damages to real property, must be filed no later than one year after the occurrence. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 1, 2026.
Claims for death, injury to person or to personal property must be filed no longer than six (6) months after the date of occurrence (Government Code § 911.2).
Any other claim, including, but not limited to, claims for damages to real property, must be filed no later than one (1) year after the occurrence (Government Code § 911.2(a)).
Claims can be filed with the Office of the Los Angeles City Clerk or by mail with City's Claim for Damages Form
A claim relating to a cause of action for death or for injury to person or to personal property or growing crops shall be presented as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 915) not later than six months after the accrual of the cause of action.
City rules rest on state law. Read California's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for claim against the city: deadline in Los Angeles, CA?
It depends on the specific facts. Files a written claim with the City Clerk within six months for personal property or one year for other claims such as real property.
Are there exceptions in Los Angeles, CA?
Any other claim, including claims for damages to real property, must be filed no later than one year after the occurrence.
What is this based on for Los Angeles, CA?
This verdict is sourced to Claims and 4 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Claimsofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-01
- Claimsofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-01
- Claimsofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-01
- California Government Code section 911.2statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-01
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