Does San Francisco Have Rent Control?
Yes - Rent Control
Yes. San Francisco has had rent control since 1979 under the San Francisco Rent Ordinance. It covers most residential rental units built before June 13, 1979.
The ordinance limits annual rent increases, requires just cause for eviction, and is administered by the San Francisco Rent Board.
San Francisco Rent Board →
3-Day Notice Requirements in San Francisco
In addition to California's statewide CCP §1161 requirements, San Francisco has the following local requirements:
- Just cause for eviction must be stated on the notice
- Rent Board Form 1007 must be attached to the notice
- A copy of the notice must be filed with the SF Rent Board within 10 days of service
- Notice must reference the applicable section of the Rent Ordinance
- Tenant must be informed of their right to contact the Rent Board
- Certain evictions require additional Rent Board approval or notices
RentNotice handles this automatically. When you select San Francisco as your property location, all required local language is added to your notice.
Landlord Resources in San Francisco
- All rental units must be registered with the SF Rent Board
- Attach Rent Board Form 1007 to every eviction notice
- File a copy of the notice with the Rent Board within 10 days of service
- Annual allowable rent increase is set by the Rent Board based on CPI
- Just cause is required - 16 grounds for eviction are listed in the ordinance
- Certain evictions (e.g., owner move-in) require additional Rent Board filings
Tenant Resources in San Francisco
- If you receive a 3-day notice, verify that Rent Board Form 1007 is attached. If it is missing, the notice may be defective.
- Contact the SF Rent Board for free counseling and assistance with any eviction notice.
- San Francisco requires just cause for all evictions - verify the stated reason is one of the 16 permissible grounds.
- Free legal assistance is available through the SF Tenants Union and Bay Area Legal Aid.
- If you believe your notice is invalid, consult a licensed California attorney immediately.
Just Cause for Eviction in San Francisco
Under San Francisco Rent Board, San Francisco requires just cause for any eviction of a covered tenant. The grounds fall into two categories:
Fault-based grounds — based on the tenant's conduct: non-payment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, illegal use, criminal activity on the premises, refusal to renew, refusal to allow lawful entry, or other tenant-caused grounds enumerated in the ordinance.
No-fault grounds — based on the landlord's circumstances: owner or qualifying family-member move-in, withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act), substantial remodel or demolition, or compliance with a government order. No-fault terminations require relocation assistance.
The exact list of grounds, the documentation required for each, and any city-specific cure periods are set by San Francisco Rent Board and updated as the ordinance is amended. Always verify the current grounds with the agency before serving a notice.
San Francisco Rent Board — current just-cause grounds →
Relocation Assistance in San Francisco
When a landlord serves a no-fault eviction in San Francisco (owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from the rental market, demolition, or compliance with a government order), the local ordinance requires relocation assistance to be paid to the tenant.
Amounts typically vary by:
- Tenant category — standard tenants vs. senior (62+), disabled, low-income, or families with minor children (protected categories receive higher amounts)
- Unit size — studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom+
- Length of tenancy — long-term tenants are sometimes entitled to additional payments
San Francisco Rent Board sets the current relocation schedule and updates it periodically (often annually, indexed to CPI). Timing of payment also varies by city — some require full payment at notice service, others split between service and vacancy. Confirm the current amounts and timing rules with the agency before serving a no-fault notice.
San Francisco Rent Board — current relocation schedule →
San Francisco Eviction Notice FAQs
Do I need just cause to evict in San Francisco?
Yes. The SF Rent Ordinance (1979) requires just cause for the eviction of any covered tenant. There are 16 grounds listed in the ordinance.
What is Rent Board Form 1007 and is it required?
Yes. Every eviction notice in San Francisco must have Form 1007 attached. The form notifies the tenant of their right to contact the SF Rent Board and outlines the eviction grounds. RentNotice automatically attaches Form 1007 to every SF notice.
Where do I file my notice with the SF Rent Board?
A copy of every eviction notice must be filed with the SF Rent Board within 10 days of service. The Board is at 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 320, San Francisco, CA 94102.
How much can I raise rent in San Francisco?
Annual rent increases for Rent Ordinance-covered units are limited to 60% of CPI. The current allowable increase is published each year by the Rent Board (typically 1-3%).
What is owner move-in (OMI) and what notice is required?
OMI is one of the 16 just-cause grounds. It requires a 60-day notice, payment of relocation assistance, and the owner must actually occupy the unit as their primary residence for at least 36 months. False OMI claims trigger significant penalties.
Does the Ellis Act let me evict everyone?
Ellis Act removes a building from the rental market entirely. It requires 120 days notice (one year for senior or disabled tenants), substantial relocation payments, and bars the property from being re-rented for at least 5 years. SF imposes additional Ellis-specific filings and tenant protections.
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