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Our city is a Film-Friendly Community.  We have many unique locations to choose from including  our downtown area, where American Grafitti was filmed in 1973 with Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss and the San Rafael Civic Center where Gattaca was filmed in 1997 with Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. For more information on filming in...

Wireless Communications Facilities Wireless facilities must: (A) Submit all Application Submittal Materials listed in San Rafael Municipal Code Section 14.16.360.D; (B) Schedule required submittal/resubmittal meetings; (C) Comply with RF emission threshold limits, sub-sections G through M criteria and N post approval requirements; (D) a Conceptual Design review application is strongly encouraged for new facilities. The...

What is a Variance? A Variance is permission to depart from the literal requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Variances provide the discretion and flexibility necessary to resolve practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships resulting from a zoning requirement. Variances may be approved with conditions to ensure compatibility. When the strict interpretation of a zoning regulation, such...

What is a Temporary Use Permit? A temporary use permit allows activities of a short term, generally one (1) year or less, pursuant to San Rafael Municipal Code Section 14.17.130. These most commonly consist of special events such as a fair, festival or concert, outdoor seasonal sales such as a Christmas tree lot or pumpkin...

Application Filing for Tentative Map All requests to divide real property into four (4) or fewer lots (Minor Subdivision) or five (5) or more lots (Major Subdivision) requires the filing of a Parcel Map or Tentative Map application with the Department of Community Development. The application must be filed by the subdivider, the property owner...

When are Story Poles Required? Story poles may be required by the City to allow review authorities and the public an opportunity to evaluate the potential visual effects of new development prior to construction. Story poles are typically required for hillside development, to illustrate the potential bulk, mass, grading and tree removal of proposed construction...

What Are Some Additional Single-Family Zoning Regulations? Abandoned Vehicles (Chapter 11.38) Vehicles parked on public street right-of-way for longer than 72 hours are considered abandoned and may be subject to tow by Police/Traffic. Accessory Structures (§14.16.020) The following setbacks appy to structures detached from the main residence, such as carports, sheds, pool houses: Front and...

What is Single-Family Zoning? The Zoning Ordinance Title 14 of the San Rafael Municipal Code establishes standards and procedures so that development is consistent with San Rafael’s General Plan 2020. San Rafael is divided into Zoning Districts as shown on the zoning maps, which includes the allowable uses and construction requirements for single-family lots. There...

Sign Permit Application New commercial business signs intended for public view (e.g., on an exterior business frontage or an interior sign placed within 10 feet of an exterior facing window) are subject to review and approval of a sign permit. Signs composed of professionally manufactured individual letters are generally preferred over hand-painted, box or can...

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...

Zoning Amendments An applicant may initiate rezoning for a property to another district that is consistent with the City of San Rafael General Plan 2020 Land Use Map, or an amendment to zoning text. Zoning amendments are a legislative action that requires a favorable recommendation by a super-majority of the Planning Commission and adoption of...

Recreational Area Replacement Policy – Multi-Family Development Multifamily residential development including apartment complexes and condominiums (generally containing three or more units) are required to provide a minimum square footage of common outdoor recreational area that must be properly maintained. Therefore, when filling in a pool or modifying an existing multifamily project recreation area, the area...

When is a PCN Required? The State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will advise an applicant whether a PCN determination must be obtained from the local agency in order for ABC to issue a license to sell alcohol at the subject location. A PCN determination may be required if the subject census tract contains...

Meeting Protocol and Tips for Effective Public Hearings What is the Planning Commission? The Planning Commission is composed of seven members, consisting of San Rafael residents who are volunteers and not City officials, appointed by the City Council to serve four-year terms. (SRMC Chapter 2.16) What are the duties and responsibilities of the Planning Commission?...