San Francisco Landlord-Tenant Rules
San Francisco adds local rules on top of California landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Rent stabilization | Many units built on or before June 13, 1979 have both rent control and eviction protection under the Rent Ordinance (Admin. Code Ch. 37). For covered units, the annual allowable increase for March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 is 1.6%, which is 60% of the Bay Area CPI increase. Earlier figures were 1.4% for 2025-26 and 1.7% for 2024-25. Units with eviction protection only (no local rent cap) include units built after June 13, 1979, most single-family homes and condos where the tenancy began on or after January 1, 1996, substantially rehabilitated units, and units regulated by another government agency. Some of these may still be capped by state AB 1482. Coverage rules: https://www.sf.gov/learn-about-san-francisco-rental-laws. That page uses 'on or before June 13, 1979' and 'before June 14, 1979' interchangeably. |
|---|---|
| Just-cause eviction | Landlords may recover possession only for a just cause listed in Sec. 37.9(a). At-fault causes: nonpayment or habitual late payment; an uncured substantial lease violation; nuisance or substantial damage; illegal use; refusing to sign a materially similar renewal; refusing lawful access; and an unapproved subtenant holding over. No-fault causes: owner or relative move-in (for at least 36 continuous months); condo conversion; demolition or permanent removal (Ellis Act); temporary capital improvement work; substantial rehabilitation; lead remediation; and certain other grounds. The notice must state the grounds in writing. A Rent Board 'Notice to Tenant' form must be attached to every termination notice. A copy of most termination notices must be filed with the Rent Board within 10 days of service; 3-day pay-or-quit notices are exempt. Before evicting for unapproved subletting or extra occupants, the landlord must give at least 10 days to cure. Evicting without a substantial factual basis for a listed ground is a misdemeanor. Sec. 37.9(b) separately allows eviction when the landlord shares the unit. Source: S.F. Admin. Code Sec. 37.9 |
| Relocation assistance | Tenants evicted for no-fault reasons are owed relocation payments based on the date the eviction notice was served. For notices served March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027: no-fault eviction, $8,245 per tenant up to $24,733 per unit, plus $5,497 for each elderly or disabled tenant or household with minor children; Ellis Act withdrawal, $11,110.05 per tenant up to $33,330.13 per unit, plus $7,443.90 for each tenant aged 62 or older or disabled. Temporary displacement under 20 days: $446 per day plus actual moving expenses. Prior period (3/1/25-2/28/26): no-fault $8,062 per tenant up to $24,184 per unit. Amounts adjust every March 1. |
| Security deposit (local add-on) | Landlords must pay interest on security deposits held for at least one year at the rate set by the Rent Board. The rate is 4.2% for March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 (5.0% for 2025-26 and 5.2% for 2024-25). The rate itself is confirmed. |
| Tenant right to counsel | Tenants who receive a notice to terminate tenancy are eligible for free assistance through the Tenant Right to Counsel Program. Intake is through the Eviction Defense Collaborative: (415) 659-9184, legal@evictiondefense.org, or in person at 976 Mission Street. This information appears on the Rent Board Notice to Tenant that must be attached to every termination notice. The Eviction Defense Collaborative contact details (976 Mission St., (415) 659-9184, legal@evictiondefense.org; walk-in Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri, 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm) match the city's current tenant resources page: https://www.sf.gov/tenant-and-landlord-resources. Sec. 58.4 (added by Prop. F, June 5, 2018, effective July 20, 2018) requires the City to fund full-scope representation for tenants facing eviction, except when the landlord or master tenant lives in the same unit: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_admin/0-0-0-60051 |
| Lockouts/harassment | Sec. 37.10B bars landlords, agents and contractors from bad-faith harassment. Examples: cutting off housing services; failing to make or diligently finish repairs; abusing the right of entry; pushing a tenant out through fraud, intimidation, coercion or improper rent increases; making threatening buyout offers; threatening physical harm; interfering with quiet enjoyment or privacy; and refusing rent or holding a rent check more than 30 days. Remedies: a Rent Board rent reduction for service and repair violations; a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 and/or 6 months in jail); and a civil suit for the greater of 3 times actual damages or $1,000 per offense, plus possible punitive damages and attorney fees. A violation can also be raised as a defense in an eviction case. In Larson the court struck the provision on continuing buyout offers after a written opt-out. Source: S.F. Admin. Code Sec. 37.10B |
| Required notices/registration | A Rent Board 'Notice to Tenant' (in the tenant's primary language where available) must be attached to every notice to terminate tenancy. Most termination notices must be filed with the Rent Board within 10 days. For owner-move-in evictions, the notice must include a declaration under penalty of perjury, and statements of occupancy must be filed afterward. For several no-fault grounds, the notice must state the lawful rent. |
Eviction cases in San Francisco are heard in: Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (unlawful detainer)
Eviction court, fees and help
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Yes. Tenants served with a termination notice are eligible for free help through the Tenant Right to Counsel Program, with intake through the Eviction Defense Collaborative. Official source
Local agencies
- San Francisco Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board (Rent Board) — Sets the annual allowable increase, deposit interest and relocation amounts, and hears petitions and wrongful-eviction reports. Counselors: (415) 252-4600. 25 Van Ness Ave., Suite 700.
- Eviction Defense Collaborative — Intake for the city's Tenant Right to Counsel Program. (415) 659-9184.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does San Francisco add on top of California law?
Rent stabilization: Many units built on or before June 13, 1979 have both rent control and eviction protection under the Rent Ordinance (Admin. Code Ch. 37). For covered units, the annual allowable increase for March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 is 1.6%, which is 60% of the Bay Area CPI increase. Earlier figures were 1.4% for 2025-26 and 1.7% for 2024-25. Units with eviction protection only (no local rent cap) include units built after June 13, 1979, most single-family homes and condos where the tenancy began on or after January 1, 1996, substantially rehabilitated units, and units regulated by another government agency. Some of these may still be capped by state AB 1482.; Just-cause eviction: Landlords may recover possession only for a just cause listed in Sec. 37.9(a). At-fault causes: nonpayment or habitual late payment; an uncured substantial lease violation; nuisance or substantial damage; illegal use; refusing to sign a materially similar renewal; refusing lawful access; and an unapproved subtenant holding over. No-fault causes: owner or relative move-in (for at least 36 continuous months); condo conversion; demolition or permanent removal (Ellis Act); temporary capital improvement work; substantial rehabilitation; lead remediation; and certain other grounds. The notice must state the grounds in writing. A Rent Board 'Notice to Tenant' form must be attached to every termination notice. A copy of most termination notices must be filed with the Rent Board within 10 days of service; 3-day pay-or-quit notices are exempt. Before evicting for unapproved subletting or extra occupants, the landlord must give at least 10 days to cure. Evicting without a substantial factual basis for a listed ground is a misdemeanor.; Relocation assistance: Tenants evicted for no-fault reasons are owed relocation payments based on the date the eviction notice was served. For notices served March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027: no-fault eviction, $8,245 per tenant up to $24,733 per unit, plus $5,497 for each elderly or disabled tenant or household with minor children; Ellis Act withdrawal, $11,110.05 per tenant up to $33,330.13 per unit, plus $7,443.90 for each tenant aged 62 or older or disabled. Temporary displacement under 20 days: $446 per day plus actual moving expenses.; Security deposit (local add-on): Landlords must pay interest on security deposits held for at least one year at the rate set by the Rent Board. The rate is 4.2% for March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 (5.0% for 2025-26 and 5.2% for 2024-25).
← All California landlord-tenant rules
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.