San Francisco Rent Board Fee: Do You Need to File an Exemption?
Every fall, San Francisco property owners receive a notice about the annual Rent Board fee. Here’s what it means and whether you need to act.
What is the Rent Board fee?
Every residential unit in San Francisco, including single-family homes and condos, owes an annual Rent Board fee (currently $59 per unit) unless it has an exemption on file.
Do you need to do anything?
- You live in your unit and have a Homeowners’ Exemption on your property tax bill: You’re already exempt. No action needed.
- You live in your unit but don’t have a Homeowners’ Exemption: You must file a Rent Board fee exemption request, and you must file it every year.
- Your unit is rented, or was rented at any time: The fee applies. Rented units don’t qualify for the owner-occupied exemption.
- Your unit is vacant or occupied only by relatives who aren’t on title: The fee applies, and there’s no exemption.
When is the deadline?
The exemption window opens each fall. Last year’s deadline was December 12, 2025, so check your notice from the Rent Board for this year’s exact date.
Don’t forget the Housing Inventory
Filing for a fee exemption is separate from the Rent Board Housing Inventory. All owners must report unit information by March 1 each year, whether the unit is owner-occupied, rented, or vacant.
Where to file
- Rent Board fee and exemption request: sf.gov/rent-board-fee
- Homeowners’ Exemption: sf.gov/file-homeowners-exemption
- San Francisco Rent Board: sf.gov/departments/rent-board
If you need help accessing the online exemption request, call 311.
This post is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. Check with the Rent Board for requirements specific to your property.—