Frequently Asked Questions

Please call the Public Works Division immediately at (650) 780-7464 and be prepared to provide us with the location, any information about the person seen dumping, i.e. house address, license number, address or a company name on the truck, and we will investigate. Callers remain anonymous.

The City of Redwood City contracts for vector control services and the program is managed by San Mateo County Health Services Agency, Vector Control Program. You may contact Redwood City Public Works to report problems or you may call County Health Services directly at (650) 363-4676 or visit their website for more information.

Concrete lined creeks were designed and built to improve water flow and minimize flooding conditions. The City cleans and maintains lined concrete channels. However, residents are asked to avoid dumping debris, such as yard waste, and trash in the channels. These channels are maintained to protect adjacent properties from flooding. It is illegal to dump in any channel, creek or stream.

If you are experiencing problems with mosquitoes or yellow jackets in your area contact the San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District (SMCMAD) at (650) 344-8592 and be prepared to provide the following information:

• Name

• Daytime phone number

• Street address and cross street

• Nature of the call (mosquitoes, mosquitofish, yellowjackets, insect identification)

For more information on the services provided by SMCMAD visit http://www.smcmad.org

The City is not responsible for the maintenance of natural creeks. Each property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the creek, including pruning and care of trees and the removal of fallen trees. For more information about the “do’s” and don’ts” of tree removal consult the City’s Tree Ordinance.

Please notify the Redwood City Fire Department or Public Works immediately. Illicit discharges are taken very serious and need to be investigated as soon as possible.

You may contact the City of Redwood City and we will contact, report and follow up with the San Mateo County Humane Society or you can contact the Humane Society directly by calling (650) 340-8200. For more information on the Peninsula Humane Society visit:http://www.peninsulahumanesociety.org

Please call Public Works at (650) 780-7464 so we can evaluate the problem and take steps to address the problem.

Please call our 24 hour graffiti hot line at (650) 780-7304.

Fishing and bait gathering is allowed with a valid fishing permit from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW). The State provides for two free fishing days each year, when the permit is not required. For information about a fishing permit and the free fishing days of the year visit the CDFW website at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing.

You may call the San Mateo Mosquito Abatement District at (650) 344-8592 or visit their website at http://www.smcmad.org  and provide the following information:

• Name

• Daytime phone number

• Street address and cross street

• Nature of the call (mosquitoes, mosquito fish, yellow jackets, insect identification).

The Public Works Division is responsible for maintaining the water quality of the waterway under the regulatory authority of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Water quality is maintained by applying pesticide treatments to algae blooms and widgeon grass, as well as by mechanical harvesting of widgeon grass. You should immediately report sightings of algae, widgeon grass, dirty water, bad odors, dead fish and trash/debris in the waterways to Public Works by calling (650) 780-7464 or submitting a myRWC request. For more information about the City’s responsibilities view the City’s Redwood Shores Lagoon Management Plan online.

The City regulates the water level of the lagoon. During the winter months the water level is lower to ensure adequate storage capacity for storm water runoff from adjacent properties. During the summer months the water level is raised to enhance the beneficial recreational uses of the lagoon by Redwood City residents.

Yes, the Redwood City Public Works Division maintains all public storm drain facilities that are within the city right of way (public street). This service includes a thorough cleaning once each year before the start of the wet season and regular inspection, and cleaning if necessary, during the season.

Call the Public Works Division at (650) 780-7464 and report the location of the catch basin (or the nearest house address). During heavy rains, city crews respond to all calls in priority order and address the more severe problems first.

Private drainage systems should be cleaned at least once a year before the start of wet season and then inspected throughout the wet season. It is important to remove trash and debris, and ensure that private drainage systems work properly to minimize flooding hazards. Please remember that private system do eventually connect to the public storm drain system and ultimately San Francisco Bay. Flushing debris from a private system into the City’s system is pushing the problem away temporarily and is equal to illegal dumping. This practice can lead to back flows and back ups in your private system and cause flooding during the storm season. Debris and sediment in your private storm drain system should be vacuumed out and hauled away for disposal. Public Works will provide this service to private developments for the cost of materials, equipment and labor. To learn more about the City’s storm drain system cleaning schedule, contact Public Works at (650) 780-7464.

Yes, you can call Public Works at (650) 780-7464 and we will schedule, inspect and clean, as needed. If the problem occurs during a major storm, city crews will respond to the call in priority order. If you notice mosquitoes around the area, calls and you may contact San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District (SMCMAD) immediately at (650) 344-8592 or visit http://www.smcmad.org.

Redwood City is also responsible for stenciling pollution prevention awareness information on all public catch basins and inlets. We would like to encourage all businesses and homeowners associations to stencil private catch basins and inlets. We will complete the stenciling for the HOA or business at the cost of materials and labor. Contact Public Works at (650) 780-7464 and schedule an appointment.

Generally, these are types of drainage structures, all designed to capture surface runoff and channel it into the storm drain collection system running under roadways.

It is the responsibility of the private property owner, whether a homeowners association, residential owner or business owner, to maintain structures on his/her property. The City is not responsible for maintaining drainage structures on private property.