San Francisco housing court is the name most renters use for the place where eviction cases are heard in the city, which is the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. If you are sued at San Francisco housing court, the one deadline you cannot miss is the deadline to file a written response, called an Answer, after you are served.
San Francisco Housing Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
Here is something many tenants don’t know. San Francisco housing court does not exist as its own court. Instead, the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco hears all eviction cases. The legal name for an eviction case is an “unlawful detainer” case. You will see that phrase on your court papers.
In most cases, a renter’s first stop at San Francisco housing court is the Self-Help ACCESS Center. According to the San Francisco Superior Court eviction self-help page, the ACCESS Center can show tenants how to fill out forms and understand the eviction process, if they qualify for its services. However, hours and phone lines can change. As a result, confirm them with the court before you go.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court that hears evictions | Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco |
| Self-Help ACCESS Center | 400 McAllister Street, Room 509, San Francisco, CA 94102-4514 |
| Phone and hours | Confirm with the court’s self-help page before you go. They can change. |
| Case lookup | Use the case number on your court papers. Search on the court’s website or ask the clerk. |
| Key tenant form | Answer—Unlawful Detainer (form UD-105) |
| Courtroom for your hearing | Printed on your court notice. If you are unsure, confirm with the clerk. |
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
Eviction cases move fast. Typically, the landlord first gives you a written notice. It is usually a 3-day, 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day notice. Then the landlord files a case with the court. After that, you get a Summons and a Complaint. At San Francisco housing court, the clock starts when those papers are served on you.
California’s statewide court self-help guide says tenants have 10 court days to file an Answer. Court days do not count Saturdays, Sundays, or court holidays. However, always check the deadline printed on your own Summons (form SUM-130). If the last day falls on a day the court is closed, the deadline moves to the next court business day.
If you miss the deadline, the landlord can ask for a “default.” A default means the court may rule against you without hearing your side. For example, a default judgment can lead to a lockout without a trial. As a result, filing on time at San Francisco housing court is the single most important step you can take.
What Happens on Your Court Date at San Francisco Housing Court
On your court date, arrive early. Bring your papers, your lease, rent receipts, photos, and texts with your landlord. Check in with the courtroom named on your notice. If you cannot find it, ask the clerk’s office in the courthouse. San Francisco housing court staff can point you to the right room, but they cannot give legal advice.
In most cases, both sides get a chance to settle before trial. The San Francisco Superior Court holds settlement conferences before trial in civil cases. The exact schedule for your case will be on your notice. A settlement might give you more time to move, a payment plan, or a clean record. However, never sign anything you don’t understand. Ask a lawyer to read it first.
If you don’t settle, a judge or jury hears the case. If you lose, the court enters a judgment. You may be able to ask for a short delay before a lockout, or appeal. These time limits are short. Confirm the exact deadlines with the San Francisco housing court clerk or a tenant attorney the same day.
Free Help in This Courthouse
You do not have to face San Francisco housing court alone. The Self-Help ACCESS Center at 400 McAllister Street, Room 509, helps tenants who qualify. Staff can explain the forms, including the Answer (UD-105). They can also explain what happens next. However, they are not your lawyer, and they cannot argue your case for you.
San Francisco also has tenant legal-aid groups that may represent you for free. For example, many tenants with an active eviction qualify for help from local legal-aid offices. Ask the ACCESS Center for a referral. If English is not your first language, ask the clerk for a court interpreter. Typically, you should ask as early as possible, not on the morning of your hearing.
Your best move is simple. Get help before your Answer is due, not after. At San Francisco housing court, a tenant with a lawyer or trained advocate often has more options. Check with your court or a local legal-aid office about what help you qualify for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really a San Francisco housing court?
Not as a separate court. When people say “San Francisco housing court,” they mean the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, which hears unlawful detainer cases. Your papers will list the Superior Court as the court.
How do I find my case at San Francisco housing court?
Find the case number on your Summons or Complaint. Search for it on the court’s website, or ask the clerk. The ACCESS Center can also help you understand your papers.
What if I already missed my deadline?
Act today. You may still be able to file before the landlord gets a default, or ask the court to undo one. Contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away.
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Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.