Archives: FAQs

Storm Easements

What is a storm easement? When a drainage facility can only be accessed by private property, the City is granted a storm easement over that private property — which means the City may access the drainage facility using private property. What happens if the homeowner is not around to let the City in, in the … Continued

Sandbag Program

If your property can be protected by sandbags, consider getting sand and bags BEFORE the rainy season and stockpile as many filled bags as you think you may need. Annually, from October through March, the city provide residents with sandbags and/or sand on a first-come first serve basis. Sand and Sandbags are available at the … Continued

What is the Citizen’s Oversight Committee?

If the sales tax measure were to pass on the November 3, 2020 Election Ballot, then the Citizen’s Oversight Committee will be established. Similar to the Measure E Oversight Committee for Essential Facilities, this will be a committee that meets conducts an annual review on the proceeds from this sales tax measure to make sure they are being spent appropriately.  

Will the sales tax apply to product deliveries, such as Amazon?

Yes, the sales tax will apply to product deliveries. The proposed tax is a Transaction and Use tax. Meaning, it is applied on all goods delivered to San Rafael. For example, Golden Gate Transit were to purchase buses from Mississippi to use in San Rafael, San Rafael would charge an additional $0.25 per $100 tax on the buses. 

Special considerations

Will you need extra welfare checks, or a place to stay during power outages, heat waves, and so on? Discuss your plan with family or friends and neighbors who can assist you in your area of need. Will you need transportation assistance in an evacuation? Accessible public transportation may be in short supply. Can you … Continued

Communicate

A communication plan is an important part of the emergency plan. You should include the following in your communication plan: Be in the know Now that you’ve decided how you’ll stay informed, make sure everyone in your emergency plan knows about these sources and how to use them. How you will stay in touch with loved ones Designate … Continued

Evacuating

Choose two meeting spots: If you have to get out of your home in the event of a house fire – the corner of the block or a neighbor’s porch all make good meeting spots. In this location you can gather and take a head count to make sure everyone got out safely. Make sure … Continued

Sheltering-in-place

Sheltering-in-place means staying where you are because it’s safer than going outside. When we go to the basement because of a storm warning or stay home because of a blizzard, we are sheltering-in-place. This is not a common safety action in San Rafael, but was more recently practiced during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Short-term rental protections

All short-term rental units are required to post emergency procedures, information on signing up for emergency alerts, and fire safety information.  Why? Short-term rentals represent a unique fire risk for a variety of reasons. Those using short-term rentals may be from out of the area and unfamiliar with wildfire risk and safety procedures. The information will … Continued

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