Local Government

A white autonomous vehicle navigating a city street, reflecting urban architecture in daylight.

Local Government

Waymo cleared for Marin, San Rafael timeline unclear

The California Public Utilities Commission approved Waymo's expansion into Marin County on Aug. 14, but a UC Berkeley expert says actual service in the area is likely a year away, and the company has not announced a timeline for San Rafael.

August 18, 2026 · 3 min read

A three-panel photo shows painted utility boxes in downtown San Rafael: a mural of cartoon characters gardening among flowers, an abstract mural of overlapping colorful circles, and an artist painting a blue utility box with a design of hands cradling a tree, all part of the Heart of Marin Utility Box Art Program.

Local Government

San Rafael council to formalize Navazio's city manager job

The San Rafael City Council's Aug. 17 agenda includes art license agreements for five downtown utility box murals through the Chamber of Commerce, the formal appointment of Paul Navazio as permanent city manager, and final adoption of a speed-limit ordinance affecting 18 roadway segments.

August 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Outdoor reflecting pool memorial with brick edging at San Rafael City Hall.

Local Government

San Rafael housing inspections hit record pace, funding lags

San Rafael's Economic Development & Housing Subcommittee meets Tuesday, Aug. 18, for the first time since June, with agenda items on rental inspections hitting record highs, Opportunity Zone 2.0 nominations and the city's development pipeline.

August 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Satellite-based map of the Pacific Ocean showing a red-orange band of above-average sea surface temperatures along the equator, indicating El Niño conditions.

Local Government

Marin preps for El Niño after Canal district flooding

The Marin County Board of Supervisors meets Tuesday, Aug. 18, with a $2.25 million mental health crisis program renewal, an El Niño winter preparedness briefing, $760,000 in housing grants and a fire-department hazmat ordinance on the agenda.

August 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Reflecting pool memorial outside San Rafael City Hall on a sunny day.

Local Government

Five land-use decisions head to San Rafael hearing

San Rafael's Zoning Administrator will hold a public hearing Wednesday, Aug. 19, on five permit applications including alcohol service at a Fourth Street theater and a downtown education facility, marking the city's first active planning forum after two consecutive Planning Commission cancellations.

August 13, 2026 · 2 min read

A man speaks at a podium before a panel at a crowded NOAA public hearing in Santa Monica, with rows of attendees seated behind him.

Local Government

Rodoni warns NOAA review threatens Marin's coast

Marin County Supervisor Dennis Rodoni testified at a federal NOAA hearing on Aug. 10 against the Trump administration's off-cycle review of California's Coastal Management Program, warning it could strip state and local authority over Marin's 110 miles of coastline; residents can submit written comments through Aug. 22.

August 11, 2026 · 2 min read

Aerial map with a red line marking a road corridor along a bay shoreline.

Local Government

Point San Pedro Road resurfacing starts Aug. 17

San Rafael and Marin County will begin a slurry seal pavement project on Point San Pedro Road on Aug. 17, bringing lane closures, tow-away parking zones and temporary driveway shutdowns to the East San Rafael corridor through October.

August 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Map showing the Lincoln Avenue corridor in downtown San Rafael, running from Paloma Avenue/Maple Street to Second Street near U.S. 101.

Local Government

San Rafael gets $1.4M for roads, Lincoln Avenue bridge

The Transportation Authority of Marin approved $1.4 million in Measure AA sales tax funds for San Rafael road projects, including Lincoln Avenue bridge repairs, pavement management and sidewalk fixes, as part of an $11.76 million countywide allocation in July 2026.

August 10, 2026 · 2 min read

White bicycle lane symbol painted on worn asphalt road surface.

Local Government

San Rafael bike and pedestrian committee cancels August meeting

San Rafael's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee canceled its Aug. 12 meeting and won't reconvene until Oct. 14, creating a four-month gap in public oversight of walking and cycling safety as the city rolls out Vision Zero speed-limit changes.

August 7, 2026 · 2 min read

A tree-lined residential street with a parking permit sign visible on the right side.

Local Government

San Rafael seeks input on new citywide parking permit program

San Rafael residents can shape the city's new parking permit program at a Thursday, Aug. 6 meeting where the Parking Office is asking specific questions about permit caps, restricted hours and household vehicle counts.

August 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Local Government

San Rafael launches resident idea portal with Change.org

San Rafael launched a new civic engagement platform called Ideas for Change in partnership with Change.org, giving residents until Aug. 30 to submit community improvement ideas and vote on neighbors' proposals before the most popular topics move to resident-led virtual dialogues.

August 5, 2026 · 2 min read

A green and white Marin Transit bus on Route 23 stopped at a city intersection.

Local Government

Marin Transit adds new Route 30 San Rafael trip

Marin Transit will adjust schedules on six bus routes Sept. 13, adding a 3:05 p.m. trip on Route 30 from the San Rafael Transit Center and canceling two Route 23 eastbound runs, among other changes aimed at improving reliability.

August 5, 2026 · 2 min read

San Rafael Record

San Rafael Record

San Rafael Record