San Mateo Landscaping & Construction Mostly Prohibited During Shelter In Place Order

Press release from the City of San Mateo:

April 3, 2020

Landscaping & Construction Mostly Prohibited During Shelter in Place Order

The updated San Mateo County Health Officer’s mandatory Shelter in Place Order requires us to take significant and critical steps to curb the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Gardening: Please note most hired yard maintenance, gardening and landscaping is now PROHIBITED. Residents and property owners must contact their gardeners to stop service until the shelter in place order is lifted.

Construction: Most residential construction and property improvements are also now PROHIBITED. (Please note there are some exemptions to construction, and certain projects are allowed to continue. Construction projects that are not allowed, must take steps to first secure the site before closing)

Reporting

We’ve been receiving a large increase in reports and we are working very hard to notify people of these new rules. ***Unless you truly feel it’s necessary, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CALLING POLICE TO REPORT GARDENERS OR CONSTRUCTION at this time.*** Our Building Division will be investigating construction complaints and proactively contact those with active projects to alert them of the new rules. We will also contact landscaping companies and staff may patrol the city to educate gardeners they come across. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we all work together to adapt to these new rules.

Remember to be kind

Please remember, your neighbor may have a valid and allowable reason to have certain work done on their property at this time. Our best way to get through this as a community is to all do our best to speak kindly to our neighbors and help educate folks about these new rules.

Property Owners, Landscapers, Gardeners & Yard Service Professionals

Landscaping, gardening and similar services are PROHIBITED, especially for general maintenance or cosmetic purposes. There are limited exemptions for this work when:

• Landscape maintenance is necessary for the immediate safety of the residence, such to address a dangerous condition like a falling tree limb or to prevent a fire hazard.

• Residents of the property may work on their own yard or gardens.

Property Owners & Construction Professionals

For Construction questions call the Building Division (650) 522-7172 M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most residential construction and property improvements are PROHIBITED, except for:

• Emergency repairs needed for habitability as determined by the City’s Building Official.

• Minor repairs needed to maintain the immediate safety and sanitation of a home, such as provided by an electrician or plumber. ***Please note there are certain construction projects (including essential public infrastructure & affordable housing) that are allowed to continue.

Visit www.smcgov.org to review the Health Officer’s Shelter in Place Order updated March 31, 2020, and for a list of answers to frequently asked questions. Consider sharing this flyer with your neighbors.

This press release was produced by the City of San Mateo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.