Interested in helping the 516 Canal Neighbors?

Please consider donating to the Canal Alliance Support Fund or the Marin Community Foundation Canal Residents Emergency Fund.

   

Archives: FAQs

How do I get around the city?

We have lots of great local bus routes provided by Marin Transit. Golden Gate Transit also provides regional bus service to San Francisco, the East Bay, and Sonoma County. San Rafael is also connected to the North Bay 101 corridor by the SMART Train. You can conveniently pay for all types of Bay Area transit … Continued

What causes traffic in San Rafael?

Traffic results for many reasons. One of the reasons for increased traffic in San Rafael is the current upswing in the economy (more people are working and shopping). Another is increased construction activity (both public and private). We upgraded all of our signals so they can communicate with the SMART train (so when the train … Continued

People are speeding in my neighborhood. How can I get them to slow down?

At the neighborhood and community level, outreach and education between neighbors can be helpful in increasing traffic safety, particularly in reducing speeding. Most tickets and crashes take place close to home, and many speeders live in the neighborhoods in which they are speeding. Education campaigns can include presentations to community groups, door-to-door visits, stickers and … Continued

What can I do if I’m bothered by someone smoking?

If you feel comfortable, you can ask the person smoking to stop and let them know it’s against the law in San Rafael (if they are smoking in a place where it’s not allowed). If you live in a housing unit that shares a wall with another, you can contact your landlord, property owner, or … Continued

Who handles enforcement of San Rafael’s smoking laws?

Landlords and property owners are required to enforce housing related smoking laws through lease agreements. The County of Marin’s Health and Human Services assists with enforcement. You can reach them at (415) 473-3020. Outdoor smoking laws are trickier to enforce. Although police officers have the ability to issue warnings and citations, they are typically engaged … Continued

How do I find out if my apartment complex has a no smoking policy?

San Rafael law prohibits smoking in all apartment and condo complexes (if your home shares a wall with another home – you can’t smoke there). A housing complex is only allowed to create outdoor smoking areas if they meet certain criteria. Landlords and property managers are required to enforce this law through lease agreements. For … Continued

Where is smoking prohibited in San Rafael?

Smoking is prohibited in all of Downtown San Rafael, our parks and open space, and within any housing that shares a wall with another unit (apartments, condos and duplexes). More information can be found at www.cityofsanrafael.org/smokefree and www.smokefreemarin.com.

How do I get a passport?

The City of San Rafael does not handle passport applications. For more information on how to obtain a passport please visit your local post office or the USPS website. You can also visit the U.S. Department of State Passport Information website.

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