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California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

Moratorium on Commercial Evictions

San Francisco has implemented a moratorium on commercial evictions for small and medium-sized businesses that have suffered economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. If a commercial tenant misses any rent payment due between March 17, 2020 and September 14, 2020 because of financial impacts related to COVID-19, the landlord may not attempt to recover possession of the unit based on non-payment of that rent for at least six months after the rent payment was first due. The moratorium does not waive the tenant’s obligation to pay rent, nor does it restrict a landlord’s ability to take actions other than eviction for non-payment.

Government or Lead Agency

City of San Francisco, Office of the Mayor; Office of Economic & Workforce Development

Dates Available

March 17, 2020 through September 14, 2020.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

For official guidance on eligibility requirements, see here.

Commercial tenants that are registered to do business in San Francisco and had gross receipts equal to or below $25 million in 2019 are eligible.

A “financial impact related to COVID-19” means a substantial decrease in business net income due to illness or other disruption, reduced open hours or reduced consumer demand, or temporary closure required to comply with restrictions or in response to restrictions under shelter-in-place or other orders of the Health Officer.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

To contact the Office of the Mayor, call (415) 554-6141.

To contact the Office of Small Business, call (415) 554-6134 or email sfosb@sfgov.org.

List of Additional Information

The announcement of the moratorium can be found here.

The Mayor’s initial proclamation can be found here.

The Mayor’s proclamation extending the moratorium can be found here.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the moratorium can be found here.

Regulations regarding the moratorium for tenants and landlords can be found here.

Additional information can be found here.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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