The City Hall building will be closed to the general public on Fridays from June 6, 2025 through August 29, 2025. San Rafael Community Centers, Libraries, Al Boro Parking Services, and all Public Safety services will remain open and maintain normal Friday hours.

 

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Do I need a building permit?

"... construction, tenant improvements to signs. Some work does not require a permit, so ... to make sure what you want to do is allowed. To apply ..."

Building permits are required to build, enlarge, alter, remove, demolish, or repair a structure. This includes everything from houses and garages to commercial construction, tenant improvements to signs. Some work does not require a permit, so check here first. Prior to getting a building permit, you should first check with the Planning Division to make...

Homelessness Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

"... to follow these guidelines, which the City intends to do. For San Rafael, the order ... for their belongings, and campsites with up to four people can have a maximum of 400 sq ft. Those individuals who do ... to those currently camping in the area. 3. What is the City doing to help ... in Marin doing that they do not have people experiencing homelessness? (Updated ... long as individuals are complying with the camping ordinance—if you see someone camping who you do ..."

State and Federal Regulatory Issues 1. How does the Supreme Court Grant's Pass ruling affect San Rafael's ability to start moving campers? (Updated) The City’s ability to enforce its current camping regulations at the Mahon Creek Area encampment (including Andersen Drive) was limited due to an ongoing federal lawsuit which was based on claims brought...

Water Conservation

"... again this year. Read below for more on how you can help. Let’s all do our part to conserve and keep our ... proud about doing yourself! Click the image below to download the Guidebook ... Doing ... filling is almost always being done with recycled water. The Sanitation District uses recycled ... . Thank you for doing your part to conserve our precious water supplies. ..."

It's always a good time to conserve We just came out of a historic drought, and climate change is making them more prevalent. It won't be long before we hit the dry season again. It benefits all of us to revisit our water use and keep up good conservation practices to help preserve our water...

We already have a library and community center downtown, why do we need to build a new one?

The City continually looks for ways to improve residents’ quality of life and expand services. Recently, the City conducted studies that highlighted deficiencies in size and infrastructure of the current library facilities. While the Carnegie is a beloved facility, options for developing the site to support modern library services that meet the needs of our...

Revision & Resubmittals to Existing Permit

"... DO ... into your account    (If you do not have an account you will need to create one ..."

**PLEASE DO NOT CREATE A NEW PERMIT TO SUBMIT** **REVISIONS & RESUBMITTALS** To submit for a revision to your issued permit or to submit corrections to an application : Revisions & Deferred Submittals: (Issued Permits) First step is to fill out this REVISION FORM to attach to your revised plans. Resubmittals:  (Permits that have not been...

Job Opportunities

"... and the needs of residents in our community. Do you have a forward-looking mindset ... ? Are you looking to work in a perfectly-sized, professional municipal agency? Do you want ... to work where staff is encouraged to reduce bureaucracy and take risks? Do you want to make ... a difference by creatively addressing issues? Does collaborating across departments, co ..."

Our employees are our greatest asset, and we seek individuals who are excited about a challenge, are creative and dare to make a difference.  We are a results-driven team who care about each other and the needs of residents in our community. Do you have a forward-looking mindset? Are you looking to work in a perfectly-sized,...

Mandatory Recycling and Organics Law: Multifamily Apartment Units

"... to the disposal container to discard organic waste. If your apartment building does not have composting ... the Marin Sanitary Service website and use the “Where does it go, Joe?” tool! Even ... a multifamily property; what do I have to do to comply ... "Where does it go, Joe?" tool to help you properly ..."

Starting January 2022, all California residents will be required to compost organic waste properly. The law aims to reduce harmful methane emissions from landfills that contribute to climate change and global warming. Please visit Cal Recycle's website for more information on the new law. I'm a tenant, how will this law affect me? This new...

Downtown Parking Locations & Costs

"... Red zone / No parking anytime $80.00 Fire hydrant ... Parked in blue zone (without placard) $335.00 Parked ... in bus zone $250.00 Expired registration (correctable) $215.00 ... ) When do I have to pay? On-street ... ) 800 and 900 Blocks of E Street (Between 2nd & 4th Sts) What do the colors ..."

Parking Rates & Citation Fines On-street meters $1.50 / hour Off-street lots (metered & un-metered) $0.75 / hour A & C Street garages $1.00 / hour ($10 max) Abandoned Vehicle or parked over 72hrs $205.00 Expired meter $40.00 Compliance with signs/ curb markings $50.00 Red zone / No parking anytime $80.00 Fire hydrant (within 15ft)...

Pay Fees

"... do ... .  (If you do not have an account you will need to create one ..."

How to Pay Fees Start by clicking on the "Pay Fee" icon above. **Please do not create a new permit** Then log into you account.  (If you do not have an account you will need to create one) Once logged in you can use the search permit option to locate your permit.   If this permit...

Abandoned Shopping Carts

"... can residents do? Report! If you see an abandoned ... shopping cart that is labeled with a store’s branding, the best thing you can do is report ... cart from one of the following stores? If so, use ... cart is from one of the following stores, please ... One ..."

Abandoned carts are a hazard to pedestrians and vehicular traffic. They are also an eyesore for our neighborhoods and tend to attract litter and more carts.  What can residents do? Report! If you see an abandoned shopping cart that is labeled with a store’s branding, the best thing you can do is report the lost cart to a shopping...

Free Indoor Compost Bin Program

"... .    Why do I need ... and lumber, and unlined paper like cardboard and paper towels.  Businesses that do not comply ... Carlos Hernandez.   What do I have to do to get ... service. To do so, please reach out to Marin Sanitary Service @ 415-456-2601 ... you're waiting for your bins to arrive, we do require that you take these four simple steps ..."

Free Indoor Compost Bin Program What is the compost bin program?  In an effort to support compliance with the mandatory composting law AB 1826, the City of San Rafael, in partnership with Zero Waste Marin, is awarding businesses that sign up with Marin Sanitary’s commercial composting service up to $600 in free indoor composting bins.    Why do I...

Frequent Parker Card: Discounted Parking

"... $25 and is a ONE-TIME fee required to obtain the card. The normal hourly rate ... ! Do ... do ... to our office to obtain a replacement card for a $10.00 fee. Do I need to park ..."

The "Frequent Parker Card" (FPC) is a 50% off discount parking card. The FPC is for garage parking in the 5-story garages, located near 4th/A and 4th/C St and is ideal for those who frequent downtown, yet don't visit daily. The FPC costs $25 and is a ONE-TIME fee required to obtain the card. The normal...

Group Home Moratorium

"... treatment of unlicensed group home uses under the City’s current Zoning Ordinance. Although ... constituted a new type of use that was not recognized by the City’s current Zoning Ordinance ... properly be included within existing zoning definitions of a “household,” “residential care facility ... , unless and until new zoning ordinance provisions are enacted specifically regulating unlicensed group ... , which due to their manner of operations do not fit within the definition of “household”, would ..."

Project No.: ZC11-001 In early 2011, the San Rafael City Council adopted a temporary moratorium on unlicensed, large group homes (group homes with seven or more residents). This moratorium was adopted in response to community concerns regarding the establishment of several “sober living residences” (sober living environments – SLE) in single-family dwellings, which City staff determined...

Roadside Memorial Program

"... ones ... ones ... , maintenance, and removal of roadside memorials to ensure they do not pose safety risks or interfere ... ensuring they do not obstruct pedestrian pathways, roadways, or public infrastructure ... one ..."

About the Roadside Memorial Program The City of San Rafael acknowledges the deep sorrow and grief experienced by families and friends who have lost loved ones due to traffic collisions or other fatal incidents. To help honor those lives, the city has created a policy and program that allows for the temporary placement of roadside...

Measure E Transaction and Use Tax Oversight Committee

"... does not have any budgetary decision ... authority, does not allocate financial resources, and does not make budget or service recommendations ... of the City, or any vendor, contractor or consultant doing business with the City ..."

The Measure ‘E’ TUT Oversight Committee ensures that all revenues received from the voter-approved local Transactions and Use Tax (Measure ‘E’) are spent only on permissible uses, as outlined in Ordinance No. 1913. The Committee does not have any budgetary decision authority, does not allocate financial resources, and does not make budget or service recommendations...

Shadow Diagram

"... ) of the Zoning Ordinance require the submittal of a shadow diagram in some instances ... . Sections of the Zoning Ordinance limit the shading of active recreational areas and solar collectors ... diagram and do not take into account the shading on vertical surfaces such as fences or walls ..."

Preparing a Shadow Diagram Section 14.25.030(C)(10) of the Zoning Ordinance require the submittal of a shadow diagram in some instances. Sections of the Zoning Ordinance limit the shading of active recreational areas and solar collectors on adjacent properties by more than 10% between the hours of noon and 3:00 p.m. on December 21, the Winter...

Sanitation District Board of Directors

"... and one ... and one ... , who do not receive a “salary” that is reportable.  Therefore, the amount for compensation ..."

Board of Directors The San Rafael Sanitation District is governed by three board members; two board members are appointed by the City of San Rafael City Council and one is appointed by the County of Marin Board of Supervisors Terms of Office and Election Procedure District board consists of three board members that are appointed...

Traffic Division

"... is one of the top complaints reported to the Department of Public Works. Studies show that most ... are installed at locations that do not meet requirements, they do little to slow traffic and can actually ... they have added protection can do more harm than good.  Children should not be encouraged to play ... for school zones and crosswalk locations are available, and have shown to be effective when properly ..."

Click Here to View Marin County's 2024 Local Road Safety Plan             What is the Traffic Engineering Division? The Traffic Engineering Division is responsible for establishing and operating a safe and efficient transportation network. This includes the city streets and crosswalks, traffic control devices, bicycle facilities, curb space, and roadway...

Contact Parking

"... , do ... . If your issue requires immediate attention (i.e vehicle parked in the red zone or vehicle ..."

NOTE: If you are a monthly parking customer and need to cancel your account OR change your payment information, do not use the form below. Instead, visit our monthly parking program page. If your issue requires immediate attention (i.e vehicle parked in the red zone or vehicle needs to be moved immediately) please call (415) 485-3000...

RBR Program Policies & Practices

"... to participate in the process so as to minimize delays and potential issues. What the City will do ... habitable square footage and if in compliance with zoning requirements (The unpermitted improvement ... require a reinspection and which do not require a re-inspection. The updated RBR form/template has divided ... rules, as well as policies and principles to MAR members/realtors. What MAR will do ... Zoning Off-street parking (two spaces/dwelling) Covered off-street ..."

Attention Customers:   Change to Resale Refund Policy.   All  reports applied for after 6/30/2023  will no longer be eligible for refunds.    Since the 1970’s, the City of San Rafael has been administering and enforcing a residential building resale (RBR) inspection program. The RBR program requires that prior to the sale or exchange of any residential...

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