Promptly after a levy on real property containing a dwelling, the levying officer shall serve notice on the judgment creditor, either personally or by mail, that the levy has been made and that the property will be released unless a copy of an application for an order for sale of the dwelling is received by the officer within 20 days. (CCP 704.750(a))) The 20 days is extended by the appropriate number of days if the notice is served by mail. (CCP 684.120)
The application shall be filed with the court that entered the judgment if the dwelling is in the same county. If the dwelling is located in a different county, then the application shall be filed with a court of similar jurisdiction in the county where the dwelling is located or, if there is no court of similar jurisdiction, to a court of higher jurisdiction in that county. (CCP 704.750(b))