Last updated
By Ron McMinn, Esq. | Official sources rechecked November 9, 2026.
Read this article in Español.
Win Attorneys helps injured people in Huntington Beach from our only office in Tustin, at 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210. Call (562) 296-5380. We speak Spanish and Vietnamese. The City’s liability claim form goes to the City Clerk, usually within six months after an injury. This guide follows the City Clerk page and the City’s Liability Claim Form.
Is it a City of Huntington Beach claim?
OCTA buses and stops go to OCTA (see how to file a claim against OCTA). State highways such as Pacific Coast Highway generally go to Caltrans (see our Caltrans claim guide). County facilities go to the County (see our County of Orange claim guide).
The six-month deadline
Government Code section 911.2 says a claim for death or for injury to a person or to personal property must be presented no later than six months after the cause of action accrues. Most other claims get one year. Accrual is a legal question, so do not guess at the start date.
The City’s Liability Claim Form also states that a claim must be filed with the City Clerk within six months after the incident or event.
How to file with the City Clerk
Download the Liability Claim Form linked from the City’s City Clerk Document Center. Complete the form and mail or deliver it to:
City of Huntington Beach, City Clerk, 2000 Main Street, P.O. Box 190, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
City Clerk phone: (714) 536-5227. Email listed on the City Clerk page: cityclerkoffice@surfcity-hb.org. City Clerk location: 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
The form warns claimants to be sure the claim is against the City of Huntington Beach and not another public entity, and to use extra pages when space is short.
Government Code section 910 lists what every claim must show: the claimant’s name and address, the address for notices, the date, place, and other circumstances of the incident, a general description of the injury or loss, the name of any public employee who caused it if known, and the amount claimed or, for claims over $10,000, whether it would be a limited civil case.
What happens next
Under Government Code section 945.4, you generally cannot sue a public entity for money damages until a required claim has been presented and acted on, or deemed rejected. Section 912.4 generally gives the public entity 45 days to act. If it does not act, the claim is deemed rejected on the last day of that period.
After written notice of rejection, Government Code section 945.6 generally gives you six months from the date the notice is personally delivered or mailed to file suit. If no written notice is given, a two-year period from accrual can apply instead.
Missed the six-month window? Government Code section 911.4 allows a written application for leave to present a late claim within a reasonable time, not more than one year after accrual, with the proposed claim attached. Relief is not automatic. See our guide on a missed six-month government claim deadline.
Talk to us
Win Attorneys handles government claims and personal injury matters statewide from our only office in Tustin. We speak Spanish and Vietnamese. See our Tustin office page.
Call us at (562) 296-5380, reach us through our contact page, or start online with our intake form. Office: 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.
Frequently asked questions
How do I file a claim against the City of Huntington Beach?
Complete the City’s Liability Claim Form and mail or deliver it to City of Huntington Beach, City Clerk, 2000 Main Street, P.O. Box 190, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
Where can I get the Huntington Beach claim form?
The Liability Claim Form is listed on the City Clerk’s Document Center and is available as a PDF from the City’s document host.
What is the deadline for an injury claim against Huntington Beach?
The form states a claim must be filed with the City Clerk within six months after the incident, which matches Government Code section 911.2 for injury and personal property claims.
Is Beach Boulevard or Pacific Coast Highway a City claim?
It depends on who owns the road segment. State highways are often Caltrans. City streets and City property are usually City claims. Confirm jurisdiction before you file.
What is the City Clerk phone number?
City Clerk: (714) 536-5227. Email listed on the City Clerk page: cityclerkoffice@surfcity-hb.org.