FAQ Topic: Emergency

Local Property Owners

City Staff, in collaboration with the Canal Policy Working Group, have been considering holistic solutions that not only address the rental debt burden of tenants who have been most disproportionally affected by COVID-19, but also the needs of the local landlords and helping to mitigate the impacts they face. Over the past weeks, staff have met with local … Continued

Temporary Rent Freeze

On January 19th, the City of San Rafael City Council adopted a temporary “rent freeze” ordinance for tenants residing in certain residential units through December 31, 2021. The temporary moratorium solely applies in two designated US Census Tracts, Tract Nos. 1122.01 (Canal Neighborhood) and 1122.02 (Southeast San Rafael and Canal neighborhood), which have been most disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 and … Continued

Eviction Moratorium

On January 12, the Marin County Board of Supervisors reinstated the local eviction moratorium, which will be effective starting on February 1, 2021 and will expire on June 30, 2021. The countywide moratorium prohibits evictions based on non-payment of rent due to COVID-related financial impacts and prohibits property owners from charging late fees on rent owed in this period. The … Continued

Rental Assistance Funding

City staff have partnered with the County to support the allocation of emergency Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for rental assistance and small business support. City and County leadership worked alongside community leaders to develop a partnership with the Marin Community Foundation that helped to secure additional rental assistance funding. As a result, the County is … Continued

City & County Resolutions

In November 2020, the San Rafael City Council and the Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted matching resolutions recognizing the disproportionate impacts that COVID-19 is having on our communities of color. In addition, a commitment was made to pursue bold, equity-driven solutions to protect those individuals and businesses that have been most impacted.

COVID Service Modifications

During the current public health crisis, the City of San Rafael remains committed to protecting the health and safety of community members and employees, while also striving to deliver public services to the greatest extent possible. The Fire Department still is responding to emergency calls and our stations are fully staffed 24/7.  To assure that we keep … Continued

Essential Businesses

Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure  Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, and convenience and corner stores that sell a significant amount of food, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any … Continued

Use of Outdoor Private Property (Dining, Retail and Salons)

Description: Any sidewalks, plazas or parking lots located on private property, including any that are part of a mall. Prior to Filing Application: Prior to filing an application, please contact your landlord (the property owner) and confirm their agreement for your plan to use parts of the parking lot and exterior of the building for … Continued

Use of Public Parking Spaces (Dining, Retail, and Salons)

Description: Public parking spaces are all parking on public streets, such as 4th Street. At this time we are not allowing the use of parking spaces within public City parking lots. Specific Standards: In addition to the common standards listed above, the following standards apply to a Use of Public Parking Spaces Restaurants must maintain at least … Continued

Use of Public Sidewalks and Plazas (Dining and Retail only)

Description: Public sidewalks are adjacent to public streets. Public plazas include the Court Street Plaza and Lauren’s Place. Specific Standards: In addition to the common standards listed above, the following standards apply to a Use of Public Sidewalks and Plazas: Dining and retail activity and merchandise display area must be limited to the street frontage … Continued

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