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Get help from the Planning Division

The Planning Division offers a variety of complimentary and fee-based informational services to help you with Planning-related questions. Need to know There are 3 main types of services offered Self help for past permits, zoning, and development standards Complimentary for quick or general questions Fee-based for a deeper dive with the team and specific requests...

Planning staff contacts

Front desk help The Planning Division is located on the top floor of City Hall. From Monday to Thursdays walk-ins are accepted from 8:30am - 4:00pm with a lunch closure from 12pm-1pm. Friday walk-ins are accepted from 8:30am to 12:30pm. For general questions, call (415) 485-3085 or email community.development@cityofsanrafael.org Direct Planning staff contacts Margaret Kavanaugh-Lynch,...

What Residents Should Expect:

You may see or smell smoke nearby. This is temporary. Stay informed by signing up for AlertMarin by visiting emergency.marincounty.gov and selecting “prescribed burns” alert group Keeping windows and doors closed when possible. Visit AirNow.gov or our Smoke Ready page for current air quality conditions. Limit outdoor activities, if you need to go outside you...

Are Prescribed Fires Safe?

Prescribed burns require extensive planning that can take months or years. Before ignition, crews evaluate weather, vegetation, and air quality; survey for sensitive wildlife and rare plants; and prepare fire breaks, control lines, and safety zones. Burns are scheduled only when conditions allow smoke to disperse safely, and each project must be approved by the...

What are the Benefits of Prescribed Fire?

Restore ecosystem health: Reintroduce fire as a natural ecological process to improve forest and grassland health. Managed fire helps recycle nutrients back into the soil, supports native plant regeneration, and creates a more diverse landscape that is better able to withstand drought, pests, and future wildfire. Reduce invasive species and hazardous vegetation, including ladder fuels:...

Different Types of Prescribed Fire

Broadcast burns which intentionally apply low-intensity fire across a large, predetermined area of land, mimicking natural fire patterns. Pile burning, which is the intentional burning of concentrated piles of collected vegetation or “slash” from thinning wooded areas. Burning with a “curtain burner,” that uses a powerful fan to blow a high-speed curtain of air across...

Prescribed Fire in San Rafael

Prescribed Fire in San Rafael Learn About Prescribed Fire California’s landscapes are fire-adapted, meaning many native trees and plants are resilient to and in some cases depend on regular fire to remain healthy. In Marin County, ecosystems such as oak woodlands, redwood forests, and grasslands evolved over thousands of years alongside intentional burning practices led...

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Temporary Road Closure Notification - 11 Bungalow Ave - 1/2

PG&E’s subcontractor, Core Tree Care , will be closing the road near 11 Bungalow Ave to remove a tree in the area. The closure will happen Friday, 1/2, between approximately 9am – 5pm. They have an approved encroachment permit EP-25-334 and affected properties have also been notified.

How can I provide feedback on this AB 43 Strategy?

The AB 43 Strategy and associated updates will be posted on this website and presented to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and City Council for public comment and feedback. Feedback can also be submitted through the online input form at the top of this webpage. For assistance with submitting the form, please reach out to the Department of...

When will the new speed limits become effective?

The City has begun early implementation of select Phase 1 reduced speed limits downtown by installing signs on Mission Avenue and 5th Avenue. If reduced speed limits from Phase 2 are passed by City Council in Spring 2026, all new speed limits from Phase 1 and Phase 2 are anticipated to become effective in Summer...

What is the speed limit recommendation for roadways outside of downtown (Phase 2)?

In Phase 2 of this study, a similar detailed analysis of roadways throughout the City was performed. This review evaluated potential road segments that would be eligible for speed limit reduction based on AB 43. Phase 2 draft recommended results are displayed below. All speed limits shown represent a 5-mph reduction compared to existing posted...

What is the speed limit recommendation for the downtown area (Phase 1)?

In Phase 1 of this study, a detailed analysis of downtown roadways, including review and consideration of previous planning efforts, in the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (2018) and Downtown Precise Plan (2021), was performed to identify current and future active transportation facilities and land uses in the downtown area. This review, in combination with...

Why is reducing vehicle speeds important for improving traffic safety?

Vehicle impact speed is the most influential factor attributing to the severity of injuries at the time of a collision/crash. Slower vehicle speed collision may result in less severe injuries whereas higher vehicle speed collisions can result in fatalities. For instance, if a pedestrian is involved in a collision where the vehicle is traveling at...

How are the study areas in the AB 43 Strategy selected?

The 2024 Marin County Local Road Safety Plan indicates that many streets in Downtown San Rafael experience elevated collision rates, and that reducing vehicle speeds would increase safety outcomes of vulnerable road user groups, such as bicyclists, pedestrians, persons with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness. As such, the Phase 1 of the study focused on the downtown area, where...

What is the City’s strategy for applying AB 43?

The City strives to be proactive in improving traffic safety and is conducting a study to review traffic speeds in San Rafael as part of the next E&TS update in 2025. The project is being conducted in two phases. Starting with the downtown area, Phase 1 of the study will identify roadway corridors that can...

How do cities determine what areas need speed reductions?

An Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) is an engineering study used for setting roadway speed limits based on prevailing speeds (or 85th percentile speed, defined as the speed at or below which 85% of vehicles travel) and review of roadway traffic conditions and history.

What is Assembly Bill No. 43 (Traffic Safety)?

California Assembly Bill No. 43 (AB 43) provides cities more flexibility when establishing speed limits in business and residence districts. AB 43 allows for reduction of speed limits after considering safety, land uses, and concentration levels of bicyclists and pedestrians, especially those from vulnerable groups such as children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness....

Core Tree Care Work Notification - 12/29-12/31 & 1/2

PG&E’s subcontractor, Core Tree Care, will be working at the locations listed below. This work will be done the week of 12/29-12/31 & 1/2. Public inquires can be addressed by the contractor: John Ball, Core Tree Care 559-944-9459. Core Tree Care 12/29-12/31 &01/02 Lot Street 619 Canal St San Rafael 300...

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