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Eviction in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward), California

Where eviction cases are filed in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)

Eviction court
Superior Court of California, County of Alameda - Dept. 511, Hayward Hall of Justice — Superior Court (unlawful detainer cases) Court page
Filing fee
$240 (unlawful detainer, limited civil, demand up to $10,000); $385 (limited civil, over $10,000 to $35,000); $435 (unlimited, over $35,000). Tenant's answer: $225 / $370 / $435. Judicial Council of California, Statewide Civil Fee Schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026 (rows 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12; appendix for Riverside/San Bernardino/San Francisco)
Notice before filing (state law)
3-day notice to pay rent or quit, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays. The notice must state the amount due, the name, phone number, and address of the person to pay, and the payment method. It may be served any time within one year after the rent becomes due. California rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$2,912/month HUD
Renter households
272,737 (46% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)

Eviction cases in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward) are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda - Dept. 511, Hayward Hall of Justice (Superior Court (unlawful detainer cases)).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

Unlawful detainer cases are handled by Department 511 at the Hayward Hall of Justice. Applications for stay of eviction may be filed at Hayward or the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse (Oakland) and are decided without a hearing.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)

$240 (unlawful detainer, limited civil, demand up to $10,000); $385 (limited civil, over $10,000 to $35,000); $435 (unlimited, over $35,000). Tenant's answer: $225 / $370 / $435.

Plaintiff UD fees include the extra $15 under CCP 1161.2 for limited civil UD. Low-income parties can ask the court to waive fees with Judicial Council form FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees). Sheriff/marshal service and lockout fees are separate and not included.

Source: Judicial Council of California, Statewide Civil Fee Schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026 (rows 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12; appendix for Riverside/San Bernardino/San Francisco)

How eviction cases work locally

Stay of evictionStay applications can be filed at Hayward Hall of Justice or Rene C. Davidson Courthouse; decided without a hearing.
Source: Official source
Notice filing (unincorporated areas)Under the county Just Cause for Eviction ordinance, landlords in unincorporated areas must send eviction notices to the County Community Development Agency (JustCauseCDA@acgov.org).
Source: Official source

The California eviction process

California state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward):

  1. Landlord serves a written notice: 3-day pay or quit, 3-day perform or quit, 3-day quit, or 30/60/90-day notice, with just cause stated where AB 1482 or local law applies
  2. Landlord files an Unlawful Detainer complaint and the tenant is served with the summons and complaint
  3. Tenant files a response (usually an Answer) within 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays (5 more court days if served by mail through the Secretary of State's address confidentiality program)
  4. If the tenant answers, a trial is set (per the courts, usually about a month after the request); if not, the landlord can get a default judgment
  5. Judgment for possession; landlord obtains a Writ of Execution and delivers it to the sheriff
  6. Sheriff serves a Notice to Vacate giving the tenant 5 days, then performs the lockout

Full California eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$2,142
1 bedroom$2,385
2 bedrooms$2,912
3 bedrooms$3,724
4 bedrooms$4,413

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward): $2,357/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Alameda County Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (Ordinance No. O-2025-9)

Applies: Unincorporated areas of Alameda County only

Full Alameda County Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (Ordinance No. O-2025-9) rules with sources →

Eviction help in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)

Free legal help

Rental assistance

City rules in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)

Other California counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)?
Eviction cases in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward) are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda - Dept. 511, Hayward Hall of Justice.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)?
$240 (unlawful detainer, limited civil, demand up to $10,000); $385 (limited civil, over $10,000 to $35,000); $435 (unlimited, over $35,000). Tenant's answer: $225 / $370 / $435.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)?
East Bay Community Law Center; Legal Access Alameda; AC Housing Secure; ECHO Tenant/Landlord Counseling.
What is the fair market rent in Alameda County (Oakland, Fremont, Hayward)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $2,912 per month (1-bedroom: $2,385).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.