Eviction in Marin County (San Rafael), California
Where eviction cases are filed in Marin County (San Rafael), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Marin County (San Rafael)
- Eviction court
- Superior Court of California, County of Marin — Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited/unlimited civil) 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
- 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)
- $3,604/month HUD
- Renter households
- 36,402 (35% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Marin County (San Rafael)
Eviction cases in Marin County (San Rafael) are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Marin (Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited/unlimited civil)).
- Marin County Superior Court (Civic Center, Hall of Justice); Civil clerk Room 113 — 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903; Civil (415) 444-7040 · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center
Civil filings are made at Room 113 of the Marin Civic Center (clerk 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.; arrive before 3:30 p.m. to file a new case). E-filing is mandatory for attorneys and optional for self-represented parties, who may also file by mail or drop box. The court's Legal Self Help Center assists with landlord/tenant matters.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Marin County (San Rafael)
$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.
Statewide fees; the schedule lists no county-specific surcharge for this county. 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 service and lockout fees are separate and not included.
Source: Judicial Council of California, Statewide Civil Fee Schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026
How eviction cases work locally
| Free landlord-tenant mediation (District Attorney) | The District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit offers free voluntary mediation throughout Marin (cities and unincorporated areas) for disputes including repairs, security deposits, and evictions or lease terminations. Source: Official source |
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The California eviction process
California state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Marin County (San Rafael):
- 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
- Landlord files an Unlawful Detainer complaint and the tenant is served with the summons and complaint
- 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)
- 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
- Judgment for possession; landlord obtains a Writ of Execution and delivers it to the sheriff
- Sheriff serves a Notice to Vacate giving the tenant 5 days, then performs the lockout
Full California eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Marin County (San Rafael)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the San Francisco, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $2,485 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,977 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,604 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,604 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,772 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Marin County (San Rafael): $2,668/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
Marin County Just Cause for Eviction (Marin County Code ch. 5.100); Rental Housing Dispute Resolution / Mandatory Mediation (ch. 5.95); Source of Income protection (ch. 5.53)
Applies: Unincorporated Marin County only (San Rafael and Fairfax take part in the mandatory mediation program under their own rules)
- Just cause for eviction - coverage: Applies to properties in unincorporated Marin with at least 3 dwelling units on a single lot (unpermitted units count; permitted ADUs/JADUs, subsidized units, mostly-affordable developments and on-site manager units are not counted).
- Just cause - allowed reasons: For cause (after a notice to fix where applicable): nonpayment, material lease breach, nuisance/waste/unlawful use, criminal activity, refusal of lawful entry. No fault: owner move-in, demolition or remodel, withdrawal from the rental market, compliance with a government order.
- Just cause - notice periods: No-fault termination: at least 60 days' notice if the tenant has lived there one year or more, otherwise 30 days; 120 days' notice to withdraw a unit from the rental market. For-cause notices must give at least three business days.
- Just cause - prerequisites: Before terminating, the landlord must hold a county rental business license and any required multi-unit health permit, give the Notice of Tenant Rights, register the unit in the county Rental Registry, and file a copy of the termination notice with the CDA director through the Rental Registry within 10 days. If a prerequisite is missing, a new notice is required.
Eviction help in Marin County (San Rafael)
Free legal help
- Legal Aid of Marin — Tenant rights and eviction defense; (415) 492-0230. Call to confirm eligibility.
Other California counties
- Eviction in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, Long Beach)
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- Eviction in City and County of San Francisco
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- Eviction in Ventura County (Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Ventura)
- Eviction in San Joaquin County (Stockton)
- Eviction in Sonoma County (Santa Rosa)
- Eviction in Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria, Santa Barbara)
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- Eviction in Placer County (Roseville)
- Eviction in Merced County (Merced)
- Eviction in Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz)
- Eviction in Butte County (Chico)
- Eviction in Yolo County (Davis)
Related
- California landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in California
- California eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in California (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Marin County (San Rafael)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Marin County (San Rafael)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Marin County (San Rafael)?
What is the fair market rent in Marin County (San Rafael)?
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.