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Eviction in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City), California

Where eviction cases are filed in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)

Eviction court
Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo — Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited civil) Court page
Filing fee
$240 to $450 to file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case, depending on the amount demanded California Courts Self-Help Guide, Eviction forms
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
109,812 (42% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)

Eviction cases in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City) are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo (Superior Court (unlawful detainer, limited civil)).

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

UD pretrials, court trials and ex parte hearings are at the Central Courthouse in San Mateo (ex parte in Courtroom H, Tue/Fri 1:30 p.m.; court trials Fridays 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.). Ex parte fees and stay-of-eviction rent are paid at the Civil Clerk's Office in the Hall of Justice, Redwood City.

How much it costs to file an eviction in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)

$240 to $450 to file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case, depending on the amount demanded

Statewide range. If you can't afford the fee you can ask the court to waive it (fee waiver forms). Confirm the exact amount on the local court's fee schedule. Local fee page: https://www.sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/fee-schedule

Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, Eviction forms

How eviction cases work locally

Hearing scheduleUD pretrial conferences 8:30 a.m. (in person at Central or Zoom); court trials Fridays in person; ex parte Tue/Fri 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom H.
Source: Official source
SettlementPlaintiff must file CM-200 (Notice of Settlement of Entire Case) before the court will sign a stipulated judgment.
Source: Official source
Stay of eviction serviceStay orders are served on the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, 300 Bradford Street, First Floor, Redwood City CA 94063.
Source: Official source

The California eviction process

California state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City):

  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 San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)

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 San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City): $2,922/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

San Mateo County relocation assistance ordinance (SMC Ord. Code Chapter 3.108)

Applies: County of San Mateo jurisdiction (likely unincorporated areas; geographic scope not stated on the County page)

Eviction help in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)

Free legal help

Other California counties

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Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)?
Eviction cases in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City) are filed with the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)?
$240 to $450 to file an eviction (unlawful detainer) case, depending on the amount demanded.
Where can I get help with an eviction in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)?
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County; Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto.
What is the fair market rent in San Mateo County (San Mateo, Redwood City, Daly City)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $3,604 per month (1-bedroom: $2,977).

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.