FAQs
Do I have to be a Foster City resident to book a park/picnic site?
Only Foster City residents or Foster City based businesses are able to reserve a park (with the exception of Leo Ryan Park hilltop).
Do I have to reserve the park if I want to have a small gathering or picnic?
Reservations are required only if your group will be 25 persons or more OR if you are planning to serve alcohol.
Do you offer classes?
Yes! Check out The Guide for the latest information regarding classes/times. Or you can call (650) 286-3380 for more information.
How do I apply for Early Relocation Assistance Money?
How do I make changes to approved plans?
After issuance, projects can be revised as many times as the contractor wishes prior to installation. After revisions are complete and the project is submitted, SolarAPP+ will then run another compliance check. If your updated system design is code compliant, the system will reissue your updated permit and alert the AHJ with a revised Approval Document and Inspection Checklist. The first three revisions are free of charge, while each subsequent revision would charge the installer the $25 project fee. If a revision requires payment of an additional fee, the revised permit is not issued until the fee is paid.
How do I stay informed on pickleball activities offered in Foster City?
If you are interested in staying up to date on all things pickleball, join the Pickleball Mailing List by emailing recreation@fostercity.org.
How do we find affordable housing?
The City of Foster City recognizes that there is a housing crisis in California. We have been and continues to do our part in addressing this crisis. Although Foster City was one of only 30 jurisdictions in the state that have met their prorated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Foster City alone cannot solve the housing crisis. We need funding, muti-jurisdiction participation and buy-in, sound public policies from all jurisdictions, community buy-in (buy-in from homeowners and renters) to address the housing crisis.
In addition to the Programs that the City of Foster City and Essex has adopted to provide assistance to the residents of Foster's Landing, the City created the: Steps to Finding Below Market Rate Housing Webpage as a guide to finding Below Market Rate Housing. Please visit this website and follow the steps.
How do you play bocce?
Download the official rules summary below. We also provide hard copies of the rules in the Recreation Center.
How do you play pickleball?
Download the official USAPA rules summary below. We also provide hard copies of the rules in the Recreation Center.
How far in advance can I reserve a park?
Parks may be reserved up to a year in advance.
How many people can I have at my event?
Capacity depends on the park. Please refer to the Park application for limits at each park.
How much does a Vibe membership cost?
Vibe memberships are a one time fee of $25. Registration fee does not include event admission costs, food or Vibe card reprints.
I cannot reserve online it is too difficult please help.
Please contact us via email or phone:
Facility Reservations Coordinator: Dusty Landwehr; dlandwehr@fostercity.org
General recreation email: recreation@fostercity.org
Recreation front desk: (650) 286-3380
I have a park permit but it is scheduled to rain on the day of my rental. What do I do?
Rain Out Policy- Full refunds will be issued if it rains during a scheduled rental and makes the reserved area unusable. Park user must contact Parks and Recreation Department staff within the week following the date of the permit. Requests to cancel a permit in advance due to the anticipated forecast of bad weather will not be granted without a $26 cancellation fee.
I never signed a lease, do we need a lease to apply for Early Relocation Assistance Money?
Although we typically need to review your lease agreement to determine your eligibility amount and process your claim, we understand that some tenants may not be under a lease agreement due to the expiration of the BMR (Below Market Rate) program at Foster's Landing. However we are flexible and will work with you to help you with your claim. Please call Amanda Edwards, Program and Development Manager at HIF: 650-246-4517 or email amanda@hifinfo.org and she will work with you to verify the length of your residency at Foster's Landing and your rental amount.
If I reserve a park, does that mean I get exclusive use of the park?
When you reserve a park, you're reserving the picnic tables at that designated park. Renters do not get exclusive use of the park, beach, or playground area.
Is there an application fee?
Yes. The minimum application fee for a low impact special event is $1,021.
Is there electricity at the amphitheater?
Yes, there is electricity at the stage area.
Should I apply for Early Relocation Assistance Money even if I haven't found a new home yet?
Even if you have not found replacement housing, you should still call Amanda Edwards, Program and Development Manager at HIF: 650-246-4517 or email amanda@hifinfo.org to discuss how much relocation assistance money you are eligible to receive. The longer a household remains in their unit, the less money they will be eligible to receive due to limited program funding.
What are the pickleball court rules?
To view pickleball court etiquette and conduct policy, download the rules here (PDF). They are also posted on the exterior and interior of the courts
What are your business hours?
Our business hours are:
Monday - Thursday 7:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm
Closed on Holidays
What days can I rent the amphitheater?
Monday through Friday 9am-6pm if available (certain times may be unavailable due to prescheduled events).
What happens if we cannot find a place by the end of the year?
The City of Foster City and Essex Properties have been doing everything in our power to help prevent tenants from getting evicted. We met with numerous public officials and representatives from various organizations to seek funding, support, and assistance including all the organizations listed below and more. We encourage all Foster's Landing residents to actively search for and apply for replacement housing. Please visit our website on Steps to Finding Below Market Rate Housing. For the latest legal updates on the eviction moratorium (related to non-payment of rent) and rental assistance due to COVID-19 impacts, please visit: https://housing.smcgov.org/covid-19-housing.
Jacqueline Speier’s Office Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HIP Housing Housing and Community Development San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing KH Equities California Apartment Association Housing Accelerator Fund All Home Enterprise Community Partners | AutoTemp Services Palo Alto Housing CROWN Associated Right of Way Services Overland Pacific and Culture Samaritan House St. Vincent De Paul of SMC Life Moves Coast Side Hope Brilliant Corners Abode Services California Housing Partnership |
