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Slip Lane Pilot FAQs

"... to many residents, vehicles do not make a complete stop at the northmost stop sign and quickly turn ... right on Montecillo, then again turning right on Bamboo Terrace. When the driver does not take ... is generally defined as a short, one-way lane that allows a vehicle to turn onto ... Parkway. When does the City plan to make these improvements? Why can't the City stripe the crosswalks ... of larger CIP projects that are used to upgrade curb ramps, replace city-owned sidewalks, and do ..."

New FAQs added October 2025 What construction will be happening at Montecillo Road and Manuel T Freitas Parkway (Freitas)? The City is moving forward with implementing interim solutions to the closed slip lane on the north side of Freitas Parkway at Montecillo and Bamboo Terrace based on preliminary designs reviewed during the Bicycle and Pedestrian...

Little Free Library

"... are not subject to permitting or licensing requirements of the City. LFLs are permitted in any zoning ... (latch, knobs) that are no higher than 48”; Have a depth that does not exceed the side reach ... from a wheel chair at 10” Have latches and knobs that do not require twisting of the wrist ..."

What is Little Free Library? Little Free Library (LFL) is a community free book exchange. Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. These libraries are typically in the form of a small wooden box mounted on a post and are located where passersby can easily access the books. Placing your Little...

Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) - 2025 LRA Map Update

"... The State of California has released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ ... by State law, the City of San Rafael must adopt these maps. Before doing so, we invite public ... Hazard Severity Zone Maps Public Comment ... . How Fire Hazard Severity Zones Are Determined The updated maps are based ... Rafael welcomes public feedback on the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps before their adoption ..."

The State of California has released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps, which identify wildfire hazard areas within both State Responsibility Areas (SRAs), such as China Camp, and Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs). As required by State law, the City of San Rafael must adopt these maps. Before doing so, we invite public comment...

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...

Sidewalk Repair Program

"... " and does ... ramp is not in place, one will need to be installed. In the event of an ADA curb-ramp installation ... a contractor of your choice. The contractor needs to be appropriately licensed to do concrete work ... and the property owners and encourages repairs to get done Citywide. In August 2024, San Rafael City ..."

Ready to Join the Program? Click Here! What is the Sidewalk Repair Program? The Sidewalk Repair Program is a cost-sharing benefit for property owners in San Rafael seeking to repair damaged sidewalks. Under the program, the City will: Split the cost of sidewalk replacement 50-50 with property owners (up to a maximum of $2,000 in...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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...

Traffic Engineering

"... on residential roads is one ... at locations that do not meet requirements, they do little to slow traffic and can actually make ... to believe they have added protection can do more harm than good. Children should not be encouraged ... for school zones and crosswalk locations are available, and have shown to be effective when properly ..."

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 signs, and markings Bicycles in San Rafael: Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (CBPP) The Citywide Bicycle and...

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...

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...

School Age Program Handbook

"... disability, or age or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one ... child’s first day of attendance. A registration fee of $42.00 for one child and $58.00 per family ... is processed on first come, first served basis. We do our best to accommodate everyone. We ... are calculated using the enrollment form and families are issued one monthly statement detailing ... attempt is made to ensure your child's safety, accidents do occur. The child care program carries ..."

Please find School Age Program information below. Philosophy We believe that play is the foundation that supports children’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Our Purpose To provide a safe, nurturing environment for your child that offers ample opportunity to explore, create learn and play. Center-Based Programs Our six school-age child care programs are state-licensed...

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...

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