Community Development

You may register online, or by completing a Voter Registration Form.

To register online, visit: http://registertovote.ca.gov/ 

To register by completing a Voter Registration Form, you may obtain a form at public libraries, city and county offices, California Department of Motor Vehicles offices, and at U.S. Post Offices, or via on-line download. You may also call the San Mateo County Election office at (650) 312-5222 to mail a form to you within one business day. For information about registering to vote, visit: https://www.smcacre.org/register-vote 

The City of Foster City recently transitioned to district elections for its five City Council seats in November of even numbered years. Council Members serve staggered four-year terms. The next General Municipal Election will be held in 2026 for two City Council seats for full four-year terms ending 2030 in District 1 and District 2. Voters may only vote for the City Council member for the district they reside in (once every four years).

To find your district or get more information on the transition to district elections, click here.

For information about voting by mail, please visit: https://www.smcacre.org/post/vote-mail-ballots

For information about upcoming elections in Foster City, visit: https://www.fostercity.org/cityclerk/page/general-election-information

For more information about contests on the ballot, please visit: https://smcacre.gov/elections

The counting of ballots will commence when all polls are closed within the County of San Mateo. It is anticipated that the first report of preliminary results will be released after the close of the polls on Election Night.

The San Mateo County Registrar of Voters will release final election results no later than the end of the canvass period as required by the state election law.

Preliminary and final results will be posted on the San Mateo County website: https://www.smcacre.org/elections

No, the amphitheater is a public area.

We encourage all applicants to use the online fee calculator to get an estimate on applicable Special Event fees. Please note that the base fee for a special event is $1,061. Once your completed application is reviewed by City Staff, you will receive your official quote for your event’s fees.

Yes, but you would need to bring your own. We do not provide this for amphitheater rentals.

Yes, however, no catering trucks are allowed to be driven into the park. The catering park must be parked either on the street or in the parking lot.

Yes, food is allowed at the amphitheater.

If you're not ready to purchase pickleball equipment just yet, you can rent equipment through the Parks and Recreation Department at the front desk of the William Walker Recreation Center from 9:00am-9:00pm.  For $10, you will receive two paddles, two outdoor pickleballs, and a copy of the rules and how to play the sport.  You must leave a Driver's License at the front desk to rent out the equipment. There will a charge for any damaged or missing equipment.

When you're ready to buy equipment, visit www.pickleballcentral.com and use the discount promo code CRFosterCity.

Alcohol may be served at reservable parks only. You must purchase an insurance certificate and reserve the park.

Yes! Please contact the Recreation Center at 650-286-3380 for reservation inquiries.

Reservations are required only if your group will be 25 persons or more OR if you are planning to serve alcohol.

All job openings are posted on www.calopps.org. 

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.

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.  

Download the official USAPA rules summary below. We also provide hard copies of the rules in the Recreation Center.

Capacity depends on the park. Please refer to the Park application for limits at each park.

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

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.  

There is no fee to submit a special event application. 

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.  

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

Monday through Friday 9am-6pm if available (certain times may be unavailable due to prescheduled events).

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the "kitchen").

Cancellations made more than seven (7) days prior to the event date will receive full refund minus a $10 processing fee. Cancellations made less than seven (7) days will result in a $25 cancellation fee.

The bocce ball courts are located in Leo Ryan Park. Unless there is league play or a rental, the dedicated bocce courts are public courts which means they are first come, first serve. The courts are open from dawn to dusk. Public restrooms are located in the Recreation Center located across the main parking lot.

The Special Event Permit Guide and Application is available for download on this webpage. If you have issues downloading the application, please email recreation@fostercity.org.

Foster City gets its water from Hetch Hetchy. The Hetch Hetchy watershed, an area located in Yosemite National Park, provides approximately 85% of San Francisco's total water needs. Spring snowmelt runs down the Tuolumne River and fills Hetch Hetchy, the largest reservoir in the Hetch Hetchy water system. This surface water in the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is treated, but not filtered, because it is of such high quality. For more information about the City's water, please visit the Water page.

Information on how to obtain a birth or death certificate in the County of San Mateo can be found at the County Assessor's web page.

Yes.  The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.

To learn how to apply for the rebate, please visit the Solar Rebate Program page.

No, it's against the law. If you are stopped at a light or a stop sign, you are still in control of that vehicle and need to be able to react.

Registration is not required. 

Registration is not required for the Anniversary Concert Series.

No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

Foster City curfew Information.

Copies of resolutions and ordinances approved by the City Council are available at the City Clerk's office in City Hall or online.

Foster City provides live online web streaming of all Council meetings. Past meetings are recorded and also available.

If there is a problem with the traffic signals, please contact Public Works Engineering at (650) 286-3270 on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm. If calling after hours, you will receive a pre-recorded message with general instructions and emergency information. You should provide your name, address, telephone number, location of requested repair, and as much detailed information of the problem as possible. For more information about the City's traffic signals, please visit the Street Lights and Traffic Signals page.

Burglary prevention information.

Wristbands will be required for entry. Drive-thru will call will be open for guests to pick up their wristbands in the Senior Wing parking lot on the following days and times:           

• July 14th from 8am-10am
• July 15th from 12:30-2:30pm
• July 16th from 4pm-6pm

Early will call pick up is not required but strongly encouraged in order to avoid lines the night of the concert.

As long as the vehicle is stopped in an area that is not prohibited. We recommend that you pick a safe place to stop -- for example, a parking lot -- and remember to never stop on the freeway.

Members of the public may speak in front of the City Council either under "Public" or on a specific agenda item. The Ralph M. Brown Act (the State Local Agency Open Meeting Law) prohibits Council from acting on any matter that is not on the agenda. It is the policy of Council to refer such matters to staff for investigation and/or action. Speakers are requested to fill out a "Request to Speak" form located on the table by the door and hand it to the City Clerk. The Mayor may limit speakers to three minutes each.

No. The law does not say you can't type directions into a map or GPS program on your phone. However, we do not recommend that you do this activity while driving. This should be done before you begin driving.

Any construction activity within public rights-of-way requires an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department. For more information about encroachment permits or to obtain an application, please visit the Encroachment Permit page.

If you intend to go door to door to solicit funds or sell a product, you first must go to the Police Department and obtain an application for a solicitor's permit. After receiving approval to obtain the solicitor's permit from the Police Department, you must obtain a business license with the City and pay the business license tax. Once you have both documents in hand, then you may start soliciting. It takes approximately 3 weeks to obtain a solicitor's permit because a background check is required.

Upcoming Council meeting agendas are available online.

For more information about the City's lagoon system, please visit the Lagoon System page.

A massage establishment permit must be obtained through the City's Police Department. The permit must be included to the business license application.  Failure to submit all requested documents together will result in delay of processing the application. 

If you encounter a missed pick-up or any other garbage issues, please contact Recology San Mateo at (650) 595-3900. For more information about residential collection services, please visit the CartSMART page.

The duties of the City Clerk include the administration of City elections, providing support to the City Council, preparing and distribution of agendas of Council meetings and agenda items as required by applicable statutes, maintenance and administration of all official records of the City, including records of all Council minutes, ordinances and resolutions, the administration of a City-wide records management program to include retention schedules, inactive records storage, archives, and other components as provided for by ordinance or resolution, and any other duties that may be established by ordinance or a resolution of the Council.

Yes. Texting (composing, sending or reading) while operating a vehicle on public roadways is illegal.

It usually takes 2-4 weeks to process the completed application. The business license will be mailed to the mailing address you indicate on the application when complete.

The fee for a new copy of an existing license is listed in the City Master Fee Schedule.

To learn more about recycling at large events, please visit the AB 2176 - Recycling at Large Events page.

You must be qualified to vote for and hold the office for which you apply and a resident of Foster City when you file for candidacy.

If the ownership changes, the business license is not transferable and you will need to apply for a new business license and pay the appropriate fees. There is no charge to change a mailing address or business name on a business license. However, if the business license certificate is required to be reprinted after business information updating, a fee is required based on Master Fee Schedule. If your business address is changing, it will require new zoning clearance and payment of zoning clearance fees.

If you are using a hands-free device, that is using voice-recognition software ... technically you're hands-free, so you'd be OK.

On January 18, 2011, the City Council adopted Ordinance 561, establishing provisions for the regulation and citation of individuals who remove recyclable materials from curbside bins without the permission of the residents, businesses, or authorized refuse collector. The ordinance makes the unauthorized removal of recyclable materials from curbside bins, an infraction punishable by a fine of $100 for first time offenders, $200 for two-time offenders in the same year, and $500 if caught a third time within 12 months of the second infraction. For more information on this ordinance, please visit the Anti-Scavenging Ordinance page.

Your business license tax is a non-refundable annual tax. The business license needs to be renewed annually. You will receive a courtesy renewal notice early December each year. The City assesses late filing charges 60 days after a Business License has expired. It is business owner's responsibility to renew the business license on time even if the renewal notice is not received. Penalties are assessed for delinquent accounts, regardless of whether you received a renewal notice.

As a condition of issuing the building permit application, a Waste Management Plan (BEFORE PERMIT) must be submitted and approved. The plan includes estimates of waste generated and materials to be diverted before the construction permit will be issued. For complete information on the Waste Management Plan, please visit the Construction and Demolition page.

You are still required to obtain a business license if your residence is in Foster City city limits. Check with Planning Department to ensure that your business is permissible from your home.

There are six Citizen Advisory Committees: Audit Committee, Traffic Review Committee, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, Citizens Sustainability Advisory Committee, and Youth Advisory Committee.

Please stay in your designated seating area unless you are purchasing concessions or using the restroom.

When vacancies occur on a Commission or Committee, the City Clerk advertises the openings. A notice is normally placed in the local newspaper and on the City's website. Updated information on Commission or Committee vacancies is available by contacting the City Clerk at (650) 286-3250.

Check with the Planning Department before using or installing ANY type of sign, flag or banner, even balloons. Permanent and temporary signs require review and approval prior to issuance of permits and installations.

The City Council meets on the first and third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Council Chambers, 620 Foster City Boulevard. Click here for the current City Council Calendar.

All new business license applications must be accompanied by a payment. Payment methods include, cash (in person), check or money order (payable to City of Foster City), and credit card (VISA or MasterCard in person or by phone). Application may be submit in person, by mail or email.

City of Foster City
Business License Division
610 Foster City Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
(650) 286-3258
businesslicense@fostercity.org

No. A business license cannot be transferred or re-assigned. As a new owner, you need to apply for a business license in your name.

If your business is a nonprofit organization, it is exempt from the business license tax. However, a business license with the City is still required. Tax-exempt organizations are required to provide proof of their nonprofit status in order to receive a business license. They must provide a copy of a statement from the California Secretary of State or the Internal Revenue Service stating that the business has a nonprofit status of 501(c)(3).

Information about parking or car issues.

Information about obtaining a traffic collision report.

Information about Foster City's Neighborhood Watch program.

The license collector and any person designated as an agent by the license collector may inspect, at any time during business hours, the accounts, books, papers and documents of any business that holds any permit or tax certificate of the city.   

The ordinance guarantees the confidentiality of the information and prohibits revealing the information to anyone not charged with the administration and enforcement of the ordinance.   Business name, location, phone number, and owner's name are subject to Public Record Act.

Yes, no more than 2 dogs and 2 cats, more than six months old.  It is not acceptable to raise bees, fowl, reptiles or other animals not specifically allowed.

Chapter 6.04, Section 6.04.330 - Keeping of other animals permitted

Yes, weeds/trash & debris are fire hazards and also harbor rats. Enforcement action may be required for this type of violation.  Appropriate measures must be taken to correct these infractions, which are a health, safety as well as an aesthetic problem.

Chapter 9.52, Section 9.52.010 - Property nuisances

During heavy storm seasons, Foster City residents and merchants can pick up a maximum of 10 sandbags at the City Hall parking lot (north corner), located at 610 Foster City Boulevard. It will be made available to the residents 24/7. There will be sand, bags, and a shovel for residents and merchants to bag it themselves. For more information, please visit the Sandbags page.

Yes. Garbage cans stored in the front or side yards and visible from the public street or lagoon are considered an offence against the property, subject to abatement.

Chapter 9.52, Section 9.52.010 - Property nuisances

Commercial developments and shopping centers each have their own specific sign guidelines.  If your logo fits in with these guidelines, it can be approved with a sign permit. 

Chapter 15.12, Section 15.12.220 - Sign guidelines for specific developments

Banners and most temporary signs require a sign permit.   Special events usually require a Temporary Use Permit.

Chapter 15.12, Section 15.12.180 - Temporary signs

Accessory buildings that are above the fence line or that are visible from the water require prior permit approval.  Accessory buildings or structures located below the fence line and which are not visible from the water are exempt from permit requirements.

Chapter 17.50, Section 17.50.020 - Accessory buildings or structures — Regulations

Storage of recreational vehicles, recreational vehicle equipment, boats, boat trailers, campers on private property is prohibited, except as regulated or approved by Chapter 17.64. 

Chapter 17.64, Section 17.64.020 - Permitted storage — Siting and design

For a complete list of the water conservation rebates available, please visit the Water Conservation Rebate Programs page.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding water service or water quality, such as reporting a water leak, broken hydrant, or any type of water issue, please contact the Public Works Maintenance Division at (650) 286-8140. For more information, please visit the Water Quality page.

Sometimes. In times of water conservation and rationing, nonessential uses of water during a water shortage emergency is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the district

Chapter 8.60, Section 8.60.050 - Nonessential uses — Water conservation
Chapter 8.60, Section 8.60.060 - Nonessential uses — Water rationing

Chloramines is a combination of chlorine and ammonia that offers a number of health benefits. It lasts longer in the water to more effectively remove pathogens, produces lower levels of disinfection byproducts, and may improve taste and odor. For more information on chloramines, please visit the Water Disinfectant Agent: Chloramines page.

There are several rental developments that include below-market rate units in Foster City.  Each development keeps its own waiting list.  See the contact information for the Rental of Below Market Rate Units.

The income limits for affordable housing programs are adjusted in the spring of each year.  You can look them up at www.hcd.ca.gov.  

2023 Income Limits by Number of Persons in Household – San Mateo County ($)

Yes, HCD issues new income limits each year (usually in April or May). Rents are calculated based on each property's affordable housing agreement.  

Yes, the programs all require that a tenant be re-certified for the program each year.

Yes, all 60 of the units at Metro Senior Apartments and the 65 units at Alma Point are reserved for senior citizens.  The waiting list for the Metro Senior Apartments and Alma Point are closed at this time.

The City of Foster City owns six homes (duplexes and single-family homes) reserved for very low and low-income families.  All homes are occupied at this time, and there is no waitlist.  The homes are managed by HIP   The City also owns 22 one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, and two-bedroom workforce units at 501 Pilgrim Drive. 14 of these units are reserved for very low, low, and moderate-income households. These units are also managed by HIP Housing. There is a waitlist for this property but the waitlist is currently closed. Contact HIP Housing at (650) 348-6820 for more information. 

The Foster City Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) offers EMID water customers, rebates, information, and education available to help you reduce your water use. For more information on the toilet rebate programs available, please visit the Water Conservation Rebate Programs page.

HEART of San Mateo County has a first-time homebuyer loan program. Follow this link for more information http://heartofsmc.org/.

The Human Investment Project (HIP) administers a Shared Housing Program that matches, through a careful interview process, those wishing to provide affordable housing in a shared situation with those seeking affordable housing in a shared situation.  Homeowners providing housing is benefited by the rental income received and the companionship provided.  Renters are benefited by a reduced rent amount and by companionship as well. For more information, contact HIP at (650) 348-0660.

If you are interested in scheduling a Landscape Water Use Audit for your home or your irrigation area, send an e-mail to LandscapeAudit@fostercity.org or call the Public Works Maintenance Water Division at (650) 286-8140, and we will arrange an appointment between you and our irrigation expert. For more information, please visit the Landscape Water Use Audit page.

The current Recreation Center is over 40 years old and has undergone multiple major renovations. The facility requires significant roof work.  An inspection in early 2020 identified the cost to replace the roof and all the subsequent HVAC systems would require  substantial investment.  Those investments would not account for the design or layout of the building and would put off the inevitable reality that the building needs to be replaced if it is to meet the needs of the community.  Furthermore, it may not meet the expectations of the community in its capacity as an emergency shelter.  The building spaces have served the City well but may not be flexible enough to meet the future recreation needs of a changing Foster City demographic.

The project cost is yet to be determined. The City is engaged in an outreach process gauging the community’s interest, and data gathered will dictate the recommended next steps. Potential options could include renovation or expansion of the existing facility, a complete rebuild of the facility in Leo Ryan Park or other alternatives.  The cost of the project will be forecasted as the scope of the project is studied and decided. 

Phase I (needs assessment and outreach) was conducted through February 2017.  The project was included in the Capital Improvement budget in Fiscal year 2017-2018.  A Conceptual Design was developed in Fiscal Year 2018-2019. The pandemic halted City efforts on advancing the plan and set into motion the need to seek additional community engagement.  Staff plans to go to the City Council at the end of the 2021 calendar year with options and anticipated next steps.  Future phases will be defined based on the City Council's direction for the project. 

Continuity of Recreation programming will be a high priority for the City regardless of the scope of the project.  Comprehensive community input and engagement is being sought the remainder of the 2022 calendar year.  The results of that multi-pronged community engagement plan will be brought back to the City Council for consideration and next steps.  Continuity plans will be developed when the scope of the project is finalized.

The goal of the current Recreation Center Replacement Plan is to gather information about the future trends in Recreation services and the needs of the community for Recreation programming.  There will be plenty of opportunity to engage in surveys and provide feedback.  In addition to community feedback staff will also be seeing feedback from our corporate partners. We encourage all residents and stakeholders in and outside Foster City city limits to be part of the conversation that will define what changes are recommended for the City Council to consider.

On your TV, no. Online, yes! FCTV is only available to Comcast and AT&T subscribers. Satellite providers (like DirecTV or DISH) are not obligated under federal law to carry local public, educational or government (PEG) access channels. Cable operators, however, are required under local or state-issued franchises. As such, only Comcast and AT&T (currently) offer FCTV in Foster City. That being said, if you have a high-speed internet connection (like DSL or cable), you can watch FCTV streaming from our website.  

You are welcome to send your personal photos related to Foster City for FCTV's review. Keep in mind that creative composition & framing, proper exposure, and suitable subject matter will all be factors when determining if the photo will be utilized. 

Your name, telephone number and written consent granting use of the photo(s) are required. This gives the City of Foster City and FCTV unrestricted rights and permission to use at its discretion for programming or posting associated with the City's website and FCTV. 

Submissions can be mailed to: FCTV, 610 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404. Or, if you are able to send digital files via email, please do so at fctv@fostercity.org. Original copies will be accepted, however, we encourage you to send duplicates since submissions will not be returned. Please note that not all photo submissions will be utilized. 

To purchase a personal copy of a Foster City City Council Meeting or Planning Commission Meeting,  please fill out the form that is linked below.  There is a fee for this service.

Click HERE for Video Dub Request Form   

In Foster City, if your cable is provided by Comcast, you are able to watch FCTV on channel 27. If your cable provider is AT&T, you can find us on channel 99. You can also watch a live stream or access recorded meetings on our website.

Live Planning Commission meetings take place every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. The meeting replays on the following Friday of the meeting at 1:00 pm and Sunday at 5:00 pm. Live Study Sessions of the Planning Commission occur every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. The Study Sessions replay on the following Wednesday at 1:00 pm and Sunday at 5:00 pm (following the Regular Meeting replay, if applicable).  

The weekly schedule of programming is posted on our Foster City TV Program Schedule page. In In addition, the Foster City Islander publishes a new weekly schedule every Wednesday.