Relocation payments in San Francisco: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the San Francisco Administrative Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What San Francisco's code says

San Francisco code What San Francisco's code adds
Amount	2 months of fair market rent, capped at fair market rent for a 2-bedroom unit. Applies: Only for lead-hazard displacements of 31 days or longer under a notice to vacate backed by an abatement order; rent per the latest HUD schedule. § 72.3 · code text Landlord shall provide relocation assistance in an amount equal to two months fair market rent, as stated in the most recent schedule maintained by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for a comparable residential unit; provided however that the maximum amount of relocation assistance a tenant is entitled to shall not exceed the fair market rent for a two-bedroom unit. 5 months of fair market rent. Applies: Only for lead-hazard orders citing unlawful residential use where landlord seeks to remove the unit permanently; capped at 2-bedroom fair market rent. § 72.3 · code text The landlord shall provide relocation assistance in an amount equal to five months' fair market rent, as stated in the most recent schedule maintained by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a comparable residential unit;
Exemptions	No payment is owed if the landlord offers a comparable unit in the same building. Applies: Only for lead-hazard relocations, when a notice to vacate is backed by a city health or building department abatement order. § 72.3 · code text No landlord shall be required to provide relocation payments where the landlord offers the lawful occupants a comparable dwelling unit in the same building. Tenants who refuse to vacate by the deadline in the notice get no relocation assistance. Applies: Lead-hazard relocations only; not if the tenant tried in good faith but found no housing—then the deadline extends 30 days and assistance remains. § 72.4 · code text Any tenant who refuses to vacate within the time period stated on the notice to vacate pursuant to Section 72.3(a) shall not be entitled to receive relocation assistance; No relocation assistance if the tenant or their guests created or substantially contributed to the lead hazard. Applies: Lead-hazard relocations only; applies only to moderate-term payments; landlord must state specific facts under penalty of perjury and carries the burden of proof. § 72.4 · code text If any tenant or guest or invitee of the tenant has created the lead hazard or has caused or substantially contributed to the conditions giving rise to the unsafe conditions necessitating relocation, the tenant shall not be entitled to receive relocation assistance. The landlord may subtract unpaid rent from the relocation assistance. Applies: Lead-hazard relocations only, when the tenant has not paid rent due; disputes over the amount owed go to court. § 72.4 · code text If the tenant has failed to pay rent due, a landlord may elect to deduct the amount of rent owed from the relocation assistance a tenant would otherwise be entitled to under this Chapter.
When it is paid	At least 4 days before the relocation date. Applies: Lead-hazard relocations of up to 30 days; paid immediately when an emergency order or order to vacate has been issued. § 72.3 · code text The lawful occupant shall receive a relocation payment not less than four days prior to the effective date of relocation, except that where an Emergency Order, as defined in San Francisco Health Code Section 1630, or an order to vacate as defined in San Francisco Health Code Section 596(c), has been issued, relocation assistance shall be paid immediately. Paid for the estimated time displaced; extensions are paid in blocks of at least 2 days. Applies: Lead-hazard relocations of up to 30 days only. § 72.3 · code text Payments shall be made for the estimated period of time that the tenant will be displaced; provided, however, that if the relocation period is extended beyond the initial payment period, payments shall be received in increments of not less than two days. When payment notice and order to vacate are served; after day 60, monthly, at least 5 days before the 1st. Applies: Lead-hazard relocations of 31 days or longer only. § 72.3 · code text Payment of this relocation benefit shall be made at the time Notice to Pay Relocation Benefits is served on the landlord and Order to Vacate is served on the tenant. For payments beyond the 60th day of relocation, said payment shall be made monthly not less than five days before the 1st of the following month.
When relocation is owed	When a tenant gets a notice to vacate because of lead hazards. Applies: Applies to any lawful occupant. § 72.3 · code text Relocation assistance shall be provided to any lawful occupant who has been served with a notice to vacate based on the presence of lead hazards.

The California rule underneath

Where San Francisco's rule above does not cover a situation, state law still applies. For the statewide rule on its own, see Relocation under California's just-cause law.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
No-fault eviction relocation assistance	One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice Applies: For no-fault just causes (owner move-in, withdrawal from market, substantial remodel, government order) on covered units; regardless of the tenant's income. Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Does a San Francisco landlord have to pay relocation?

City rule: only for lead-hazard displacements of 31 days or longer, tenants get 2 months of fair market rent, capped at the 2-bedroom rate.

Relocation payments in San Francisco

Key points

What San Francisco's code says

The California rule underneath

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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