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How to Use City Information from SAMCAR

The cities in SAMCAR's jurisdiction are listed in alphabetical order with the corresponding information to each city on its own page.

Where to Call

The following is a general overview of the various departments that can be found in your city. You are encouraged to contact the applicable departments if you seek more specific information. The contact information for each of these departments is listed below in the relevant section under each city.

Building Department - Information on inspections, permitting or property research fees.

Finance Department - Information about business license fees/taxes, transfer taxes, gross receipts taxes or special parcel taxes.

Fire Department - Information on local smoke detector ordinances and requirements, deck and roof ordinances, weed abatement, smoke detector testing, etc.

Planning Department - Information on sign ordinances, planning and zoning regulations, remodeling and room additions, etc.

Property Tax Information - Property tax information for each parcel may be accessed and viewed at the San Mateo County Tax Collector - Treasurer's website. You will need the either the parcel's address or APN#/parcel number to access the relevant information.

School Information - Information can also be found at the San Mateo County Office of Education's website. Information on special programs and pending lawsuits can be obtained by contacting each individual school.

 
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Vote NO on E | Firefighters, City & Education Leaders Agree!
VOTE NO on Measure E in Redwood City
The Redwood City Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance, which is anything but fair or affordable, has officially received its ballot designation and will appear before Redwood City voters on November 3, 2026, as Measure E. SAMCAR urges all of our members who live in Redwood City to VOTE NO on Measure E.
Project Sentinel Fair Housing Webinar Flyers
Webinars: Helping Housing Providers Navigate Fair Housing Laws
September 15 & September 30 | 1:30 PM (PT) | Zoom
Two informative sessions on the Federal Fair Housing Law are planned for small family housing providers during the month of September. Project Sentinel and the Housing Authority of San Mateo County will hold online workshops regarding best practices on compliance with the reasonable accommodations provisions of the law. The first session will be held on September 15, 2026, and the second session will be on September 30, 2026, with both beginning at 1:30 PM via ZOOM.
San Carlos City Update for SAMCAR
San Carlos City Update for SAMCAR (August 2026)
At the Tuesday, August 25, 2026, SAMCAR Marketing/Tour Meeting, members heard an update from San Carlos city officials regarding the city's strategic goals. Kathy Kleinbaum, San Carlos new City Manager, and Al Savoy, the Community Development Director, discussed downtown San Carlos projects, climate change and sustainability planning, traffic and transportation improvements, parks and recreation goals, and commercial and housing developments.
Photo of red white and blue patriotic buttons with white stars and black text reading VOTE and YOUR VOTE MATTERS
2026 San Mateo County Elections: Meet the Candidates & Measures
The November 3, 2026, General Election will include important local races throughout San Mateo County, including City Council elections and a special election for San Mateo County Board of Supervisors District 5. For SAMCAR members, local elections are particularly important. City councils and the County Board of Supervisors make decisions affecting housing, property rights, development, zoning, permitting, property transfer taxes, parcel taxes, sales taxes, fees, tenant protections, and the local business license taxes.
Photo of City of Redwood City Sign
Redwood City Council Unanimously Opposes Rent Control Ballot Measure
In a decisive 6-0 vote, the Redwood City Council has officially opposed the Redwood City Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance, which will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The Council's decision follows an independent supplemental economic impact analysis that concluded the measure extends far beyond traditional rent control and could have significant unintended consequences for tenants, housing providers, affordable housing, and the City's financial stability. SAMCAR applauds the six Redwood City Councilmembers for carefully reviewing the analysis and taking a position based on the long-term interests of the entire community. We encourage Realtors, property owners, homeowners, and renters to learn more about the measure before casting their vote this November.
New MLSListings Podcast: Understanding AB736 & November's Housing Ballot Measures
MLSListings Podcast: AB736 & November Housing Ballot Measures
MLSListings has released a new podcast discussing key housing policy topics, including AB736 Property Transfer Taxes and Redwood City's proposed rent control measure appearing on the November ballot.
San Mateo County Sustainability Department REALTOR Toolkit Webpage
New Resource: Energy Efficiency Toolkit for REALTORS
Support your clients in selling healthy, energy-efficient homes with confidence. Use these resources to help clients make their homes healthier, more comfortable, and more cost-effective to run. This toolkit, created by the San Mateo County Sustainability Department in collaboration with WestLight Energy (formerly Peninsula Clean Energy) and the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR), provides practical resources, local data, financial incentives, and client-facing materials to support conversations with buyers and sellers. [This effort is intended to support informed, voluntary decision-making by homeowners and does not represent an endorsement of mandates or appliance bans.]
REALTOR Party of California
REALTORS Deliver Major Victory Stopping Costly Tax Proposal AB 736
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (C.A.R.) announced a major victory for homeownership in California after REALTORS statewide mobilized to stop AB 736, a costly tax proposal, from moving forward in the California State Legislature last week. SAMCAR joined this effort in mobilizing to stop this proposal, protecting California homeownership.
City of Redwood City Sign
Redwood City Delays Action on Rent Control Ballot Measure
The Redwood City Council voted unanimously on June 8, 2026, to delay final action on a proposed rent control ballot initiative, requesting a supplemental economic impact report before deciding whether to place the measure before voters.
Photo of (L-R): Linda Crose-Andersen (2026 SAMCAR President), Sue Walsh (SAMCAR Federal Political Coordinator (FPC)), Congressman Kevin Mullin, Judy Taylor, Mitch Speigle and John Gieseker.
SAMCAR Joins Congressman Mullin at "Be the Wave" Fundraiser
On Monday, June 1, 2026, members of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR) attended the Kevin Mullin for Congress Birthday Fundraiser. Billed as "Be the Wave," this fundraising event was an opportunity for SAMCAR members to meet with Congressmember Kevin Mullin and learn more about his efforts to improve our local economy, get input from organizations like SAMCAR, and federal funding for infrastructure projects in San Mateo County.
Photo collage: City of Redwood City sign / For Rent Yard Sign /  Hands with pen signing paper at table (Adobe Stock)
Redwood City Rent Control Measure Qualifies for November Ballot
A proposed rent control initiative introduced by a local organizing group, not the city council, has officially qualified for the November 2026 ballot in Redwood City, setting the stage for a major local campaign over housing policy and affordability.
header image about REALTOR Party: SAMCAR Helps Half Moon Bay End Failed Rental Policies
REALTOR Party: SAMCAR Helps Half Moon Bay End Failed Rental Policies
The National Association of REALTORS' REALTOR Party recently highlighted the repeal of Half Moon Bay's rent stabilization and rental registry policies as a Success Story highlighting SAMCAR efforts to pursue a disciplined, relationship-based advocacy strategy grounded in data, local experience, and constructive solutions. A significant upshot of this result is that even when rent control policies are already in place, they are not irreversible. REALTOR associations can play a decisive role by staying engaged after adoption, monitoring program outcomes, electing more supportive candidates, and using credible data to demonstrate when policies fail to meet their goals.

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