California § 1033.5 - The following items are allowable as costs under Section 1032: (1) Filing, motion
Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 1033.5 — The following items are allowable as costs under Section 1032: (1) Filing, motion, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 1033.5. The following items are allowable as costs under Section 1032: (1) Filing, motion
(a) The following items are allowable as costs under Section 1032: (1) Filing, motion, and jury fees. (2) Juror food and lodging while they are kept together during trial and after the jury retires for deliberation. (3) (A) Taking, video recording, and transcribing necessary depositions, including an original and one copy of those taken by the claimant and one copy of depositions taken by the party against whom costs are allowed. (B) Fees of a certified or registered interpreter for the deposition of a party or witness who does not proficiently speak or understand the English language. (C) Travel expenses to attend depositions. (4) Service of process by a public officer, registered process server, or other means, as follows: (A) When service is by a public officer, the recoverable cost is the fee authorized by law at the time of service. (B) If service is by a process server registered pursuant to Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 22350) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, the recoverable cost is the amount actually incurred in effecting service, including, but not limited to, a stakeout or other means employed in locating the person to be served, unless those charges are successfully challenged by a party to the action. (C) When service is by publication, the recoverable cost is the sum actually incurred in effecting service. (D) When service is by a means other than that set forth in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), the recoverable cost is the lesser of the sum actually incurred, or the amount allowed to a public officer in this state for that service, except that the court may allow the sum actually incurred in effecting service upon application pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (c). (5) Expenses of attachment including keeperâs fees. (6) Premiums on necessary surety bonds. (7) Ordinary witness fees pursuant to Section 68093 of the Government Code. (8) Fees of expert witnesses ordered by the court. (9) Transcripts of court proceedings ordered by the court. (10) Attorneyâs fees, when authorized by any of the following: (A) Contract. (B) Statute. (C) Law. (11) Court reporter fees as established by statute. (12) Court interpreter fees for a qualified court interpreter authorized by the court for an indigent person represented by a qualified legal services project, as defined in Section 6213 of the Business and Professions Code, or a pro bono attorney, as defined in Section 8030.4 of the Business and Professions Code. (13) Models, the enlargements of exhibits and photocopies of exhibits, and the electronic presentation of exhibits, including costs of rental equipment and electronic formatting, may be allowed if they were reasonably helpful to aid the trier of fact. (14) Fees for the electronic filing or service of documents through an electronic filing service provider if a court requires or orders electronic filing or service of documents. (15) Fees for the hosting of electronic documents if a court requires or orders a party to have documents hosted by an electronic filing service provider. This paragraph shall become inoperative on January 1, 2022. (16) Any other item that is required to be awarded to the prevailing party pursuant to statute as an incident to prevailing in the action at trial or on appeal. (b) The following items are not allowable as costs, except when expressly authorized by law: (1) Fees of experts not ordered by the court. (2) Investigation expenses in preparing the case for trial. (3) Postage, telephone, and photocopying charges, except for exhibits. (4) Costs in investigation of jurors or in preparation for voir dire. (5) Transcripts of court proceedings not ordered by the court. (c) An award of costs shall be subject to the following: (1) Costs are allowable if incurred, whether or not paid. (2) Allowable costs shall be reasonably necessary to the conduct of the litigation rather than merely convenient or beneficial to its preparation. (3) Allowable costs shall be reasonable in amount. (4) Items not mentioned in this section and items assessed upon application may be allowed or denied in the courtâs discretion. (5) (A) If a statute of this state refers to the award of âcosts and attorneyâs fees,â attorneyâs fees are an item and component of the costs to be awarded and are allowable as costs pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (10) of subdivision (a). A claim not based upon the courtâs established schedule of attorneyâs fees for actions on a contract shall bear the burden of proof. Attorneyâs fees allowable as costs pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) may be fixed as follows: (i) upon a noticed motion, (ii) at the time a statement of decision is rendered, (iii) upon application supported by affidavit made concurrently with a claim for other costs, or (iv) upon entry of default judgment. Attorneyâs fees allowable as costs pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) shall be fixed either upon a noticed motion or upon entry of a default judgment, unless otherwise provided by stipulation of the parties. (B) Attorneyâs fees awarded pursuant to Section 1717 of the Civil Code are allowable costs under Section 1032 as authorized by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (10) of subdivision (a).
Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About California § 1033.5
What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 1033.5 cover?
Section 1033.5 ("The following items are allowable as costs under Section 1032: (1) Filing, motion") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite California § 1033.5?
A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 1033.5" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of California law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.
How does California § 1033.5 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.