Learn about evictions
By law, the Sheriff’s Office is the only agency in San Francisco that may carry out court-ordered evictions.
With vaccinations high and case rates low, San Francisco and the state of California have removed all capacity limits and physical distancing requirements and nearly all operational requirements on businesses.
Given these circumstances, the Sheriff’s Office has resumed scheduling court-ordered writ enforcement and is adding staff to the Eviction Assistance Unit to address potential COVID-related effects on tenants.
By law, the Sheriff’s Office is the only agency in San Francisco that may carry out court-ordered evictions.
With vaccinations high and case rates low, San Francisco and the state of California have removed all capacity limits and physical distancing requirements and nearly all operational requirements on businesses.
Given these circumstances, the Sheriff’s Office has resumed scheduling court-ordered writ enforcement and is adding staff to the Eviction Assistance Unit to address potential COVID-related effects on tenants.
An eviction is a legal process completed by a landlord or property owner to remove a tenant from a property.
Get Help
San Francisco Superior Court
ACCESS Center
400 McAllister Street, Room 509
San Francisco, CA 94102-4514
If you are a landlord or property owner and wish to complete an eviction, you must provide the Sheriff’s Office with:
- The original writ of possession. This is the court document that is produced after winning an unlawful detainer or eviction lawsuit
- Five additional copies of the writ of possession
- A completed San Francisco Sheriff's eviction instruction form signed by the attorney of record. If there is no attorney, the judgment creditor or property manager may sign the form.
- Eviction fee payment
After you do this, a Sheriff’s deputy will post an eviction notice on your property at least five days before the scheduled eviction date. You and your locksmith must be present at the property address for the eviction to take place.
San Francisco Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit
San Francisco City Hall
Room 456
1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone number
(415) 554-7235
To cancel an eviction, you or your representative must either:
- Fax a letter requesting the cancelation at (415) 554-7860; OR
- Call the Eviction Assistance Hotline at (415) 554-7227
You must also
- Deliver a hard copy of the letter within 48 hours of the eviction to:
San Francisco Sheriff’s Office Civil Unit
San Francisco City Hall
Room 456
1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102
You may not ask the court to postpone an eviction. If the eviction is canceled, you must start over and provide the required documents and payment.
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office cannot provide legal advice. If you have a legal problem, we suggest contacting an attorney.
CA Business & Professions Code Section 6125
Government Code 24004