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Service Adjustments During the COVID-19 Emergency

COVID-19 Impacts to County Services

Following the Public Health Officer’s new stay-at-home orders, we want to provide you with an update regarding the County of Marin’s services. Service impacts may remain dynamic in the weeks ahead as the situation evolves. We will continue to update this page as impacts on services change. The public health order remains in effect until suspended, superseded, or amended.

The County is discouraging in-person resident visits to the Marin County Civic Center and other facilities where County employees work to adhere to social distancing recommendations by public health officials. Departments will be accepting appointments for in-person visits to mitigate congregation. Residents are required to wear face coverings on site, as are Marin County employees.

Many departments have limited staffing in offices as they have been encouraged to work remotely if possible. However, it’s a great time to check out the online Payment Center, where some business can be conducted, and departments are staffing telephone lines to answer your questions.

Open All Panels

Summary of Updates From County Departments

  • Board of Supervisors

    Board of Supervisors — (415) 473-7331: The Supervisors continue to meet regularly to conduct essential business during the COVID-19 outbreak. The meetings are online, and the public is invited to participate. Nonessential business is postponed, and all postponed agenda items will be rescheduled for dates to be determined later.

  • Agriculture Weights and Measures

    Agriculture/Weights & Measures — (415) 473-6700: The Novato-based department is open to limited walk-in service and is responding to phone calls and emails. Until further notice, only two people at a time will be allowed to be in the reception area. Anyone entering the office is required to wear a face covering and/or face shield in addition to practicing social distancing. If there are other people waiting to enter the office, they must follow the social distancing requirements and wait for someone to exit the office before entering.

  • Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk

    Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk — (415) 473-7215 (Assessor); (415) 473-6093 (Recorder); (415) 473-6152 (County Clerk); (415) 473-6094 (Vital Records / Copy Services): All three public counters are open. The Assessor and the County Clerk are open by appointment only; the Recorder does not require an appointment. To schedule an appointment, contact the division by phone or email. Staff is available to assist via phone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

    Email addresses:

    Copies of official records and recorded maps can be ordered online.

  • Child Support Services

    Child Support Services — (866) 901-3212: The office at 88 Rowland Way, Suite 200, in Novato is open to the public weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with face covering and social distancing restrictions in place. Phone appointments are encouraged whenever possible. Email the staff or call (866) 901-3212 to set up an appointment. With some exceptions, Marin County Superior Court hearings will be held via videoconferencing or by telephone appearance. Do not go to the Courthouse at the Civic Center unless specifically told to do so. If you do not have access to the equipment needed to attend a Superior Court videoconference hearing regarding a child support case, email staff for assistance. Child Support Services may be able to set up the videoconference equipment at its location. If you have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and cannot pay a child support obligation, email or call the office immediately to discuss options.

  • Community Development

    Community Development — (415) 473-6550 (Building & Safety); (415) 473-6907 (Environmental Health); (415) 473-6269 (Planning): The lobbies in Civic Center suites 236 and 308 are open with service by appointment only. Please contact the staff to schedule appointments. CDA encourages the public to utilize services that are available online (for certain Building Permits), by phone/video conferencing, and/or email. Scheduled public hearings will be hosted virtually.

  • County Administrator

    County Administrator — (415) 473-6358: Many CAO staff members are part of the response team in the Emergency Operations Center, including the facilitation of continued essential services for residents and County employees. The CAO office at the Civic Center is open during business hours and lightly staffed. Learn more about the 2020-21 County Budget online.

  • County Counsel

    County Counsel — (415) 473-6117: The County’s team of attorneys mostly handles internal matters and does not provide legal advice to the public, but it does assist special districts. Business continues to be conducted remotely. Many attorneys are assisting with internal workforce matters. The office reception area is staffed weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Cultural Services

    Cultural Services — (415) 473-6400: Indoor events at the Marin Center are canceled at least until June 30. The fairgrounds and Lagoon Park are open for drive-thru and drive-in events. The Marin Center Box Office is closed, and the Bartolini Gallery and Redwood Foyer Gallery are closed to visitors. Docent tours of the Civic Center are canceled until further notice

  • District Attorney

    District Attorney — (415) 473-6450; (415) 473-5080 (victim witness services): The District Attorney’s Office remains open to serve the public. The front lobby is staffed with a bilingual receptionist from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff encourages phone inquiries instead of personal visits. No more than two people will be allowed in the front lobby at any time, and all visitors must wear a face covering, which will be provided if necessary. Marin County Social Distancing Guidelines are posted on the office’s front door and will be followed. The majority of attorneys are working remotely and appearing in court via Zoom. All staff working in the office wear face coverings. The Attorneys, Legal Support, Consumer and Investigations divisions are in the office working in teams, which rotate weekly. Those not working remotely are serving the community as Disaster Service Workers. For more information about DA services, check the DA's website.

  • Elections

    Elections — (415) 473-6456, (415) 473-6437, (415) 473-6444: Elections Department is open. One visitor is allowed at a time and must wear a face covering. No personal items may be set on the counter. Voter registration forms are available outside the door. Register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov.

  • Finance

    Finance — (415) 473-6154 (main); (415) 473-6133 (Tax Collector); (415) 473-7555 (Central Collections); (415) 473-6142 (Public Administrator): The Tax Collector’s office in room 202 remains open. In-person visits to the Civic Center are not recommended for public health reasons. Residents are encouraged to pay online, by phone or by mail (Marin County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 4220, San Rafael CA 94913). Marin County taxpayers with property taxes that first became delinquent after March 3, 2020, and before May 6, 2021, for reasons related to COVID-19, may submit a COVID-19 Request for Penalty Cancellation with payment for each late installment to the Marin County Tax Collector by May 6, 2021. Requests under this program will be evaluated according to the parameters set forth in the Governor’s Executive Order N-61-20.

    Central Collections office is open by appointment only, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Use online or mail-in methods to pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and business license fees (Marin County Central Collections, P.O. Box 4220, San Rafael CA 94913.

    Public Administrator office is open by appointment only. Please contact (415) 473-6151 for general questions. For case referrals, please complete and electronically submit a referral form.

  • Fire

    Fire — (415) 473-6717: Routine public safety operations are being performed. Fire prevention consultations and field inspections are available by appointment, and other services are available via phone and electronic submission. Fire stations are closed to the public with the exception of emergencies. Previously planned community meetings at fire stations are cancelled.

  • Health and Human Services

    Health and Human Services —

    Many HHS offices are open to the public, but staff will continue to provide services remotely when possible for safety reasons. Please call ahead if you have an appointment or require in-person assistance.

    Important HHS phone numbers:

    • Non-medical questions about COVID-19 including County-specific information: (415) 473-7191 | COVID-19 Website | COVID-19 E-mail. Hours of Operation: weekdays 9:30 a.m. to noon, 1-5 p.m.
    • Adult Protective Services: (415) 473-2774.
    • Skilled Nursing/Assisted Living Ombudsman: (415) 473-7446.
    • Child Protective Services: (415) 473-7153.
    • Public Assistance Call Center (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWorks): (877) 410-8817 or visit c4yourself.com.
    • General Relief: (415) 473-3450.
    • Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Access Line: (888) 818-1115.
    • For information on resources and services specifically for older adults (persons 60+), persons with disabilities and family caregivers, call 415-473-INFO ((415) 473-4636) or email 473-INFO@marincounty.org.

    HHS employees are on the front lines of the local COVID-19 response, committed to the mission of promoting and protecting the health, well-being, safety and self-sufficiency of all Marin residents. Employees are either directly supporting the emergency response in areas such as public health or are committed to continuing to provide critical social, health and behavioral health services, following state, federal, and international guidelines. Many electronic and telephonic services are available for the public, and residents should consider conducting conversations over the phone or contacting HHS by email when possible. HHS created a phone hotline, (415) 473-7191 (CRS 711), and an online contact form, for residents to contact staff with questions or concerns about the virus and about the county and community response. The call center is open from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays, and interpreter services are available.

  • Human Resources

    Human Resources — (415) 473-6104: The Human Resources office at the Civic Center is open. A few County of Marin volunteers and interns are active in remote assignments, while all others have been notified not to show up for their roles until further notice. For current job listings, please visit the HR website and follow the instructions for submitting applications online. The HR recruitment team continues to work with employment candidates to conduct interviews via video conference and/or calls.

  • Information Services and Technology

    Information Services and Technology — (415) 473-6309: The IST department is providing full services to the County with many employees contributing to emergency services efforts. Offices are minimally staffed for essential items only. Contact (415) 473-6309 for any inquiry.

  • Library

    Library — (415) 473-3222: The Marin County Free Library branches are closed until further notice, but curbside service is beginning in phases. Check the library’s website for the latest updates on services. Most programs and events have been cancelled, including visits by the Bookmobile and Learning Bus. “Talk with a Librarian” phone service is offered weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (415) 473-2272.

  • Parks

    Parks — (415) 473-6949; (415) 473-6388 (reservations): Parks and preserves are open. Enjoy the outdoors safely.

    All visitors should stay with their household groups. Maintain six feet of social distance from others. Wear a mask; bring a face covering that covers the nose and mouth, and have it on whenever you can't maintain social distance outdoors.

    Other limits may apply, even at open locations. Please respect posted signs and guidance from rangers.

    Plan ahead. Verify the status of a location before traveling, especially to west Marin coastal areas. View the Parks location list for the status of individual locations. If a location is crowded, move on to another destination. Pack in what you need, and pack everything out.

  • Probation

    Probation — (415) 473-6599: Adult and juvenile offices are open to the public; appointments for service are encouraged. Normal public safety operations, including field visits, are being performed while taking extra safety precautions. Staff continues to support the court system with pre-trial release monitoring, reports, and appearances for all court activities that are being maintained during the sheltering period. Staff is scheduling orientations, parole hearings, and interviews on a limited but consistent basis. Juvenile Hall suspended all regular programming, family visitations, and religious services. In lieu of visitations, youths have additional telephone privileges and Zoom video contact with their parent(s) or guardians.

  • Public Defender

    Public Defender — (415) 473-6321: The Civic Center office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed noon to 1 p.m. Face coverings and social distancing are required. Do not visit the office or the court if you are sick. Marin County Superior Court sessions are being held by videoconference; please call your attorney for further instructions or check the Court's website. Those ordered to appear in court must appear, especially if given a citation to appear or a letter to appear from the Marin County District Attorney. Do not visit the Public Defender’s Office or the court if you are sick; you will be denied entry. Call our office if you are unable to attend court and follow the instructions on the phone message. Clients are advised to monitor the Public Defender’s Facebook page for the latest information.

    La oficina del Defensor Publico ha abierto sus puertas. Las horas hábiles son de 8:30 a.m. a 4 p.m. La oficina cerrara de 12:00 p.m. a 1:00 p.m. a la hora del almuerzo. Las audiencias de la Corte Superior del Condado de Marin se están llevando a cabo por medio de la conexión de internet Zoom. Por favor llame a su abogado para recibir mas instrucciones. Para información sobre las cortes visite el sitio www.marincourt.org. Si a usted se le ha ordenado comparecer en la corte, usted tiene que comparecer en la corte, especialmente si usted ha recibido un citatorio para comparecer o si usted ha recibido una carta de parte de la oficina del fiscal del Condado de Marin para comparecer en la corte. Si usted esta enfermo (a), por favor no venga a nuestra oficina o a la corte porque se le negara la entrada. Por favor llame a nuestra oficina al (415) 473-6321 si usted no puede comparecer en la corte. Por Favor siga las instrucciones que están en el mensaje del teléfono.

  • Public Works

    Public Works — (415) 473-6528: Because of reduced staffing in some divisions, it may take DPW staff a bit longer to respond to certain situations. The public counter in Civic Center Suite 304 is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. DPW Land Development can still process permits for essential services such as utilities via email or phone at (415) 473-3755 or via email. Appointments are highly encouraged if you wish to speak with staff in person. DPW staff is conducting advertisement and bidding on Public Works projects once approval for advertisement is received from the Board of Supervisors. The Roads Division is fully staffed in all locations and complying with social distancing requirements. The Marin County Flood District continues to operate and maintain flood control facilities during the sheltering order and posts updates on its watersheds website.

  • Retirement

    Retirement — (415) 473-6147: All Marin County Employees’ Retirement Association services that require an in-office visit are encouraged to make an appointment prior to arriving. Upon arrival, visitors must abide by all public health protocols, including wearing a mask, utilizing the on-site sanitation station, and maintaining social distancing as indicated by posted signs. Document submission, one-on-one counseling, retirement estimates and new retirement processing will continue to be managed electronically for the health and safety of our members and MCERA employees. Resources are available online at www.mcera.org.

  • Sheriff

    Sheriff — (415) 473-7284: Normal public safety operations are still in place.

  • UC Cooperative Extension / Farm Advisor

    UC Cooperative Extension / Farm Advisor — (415) 473-4204: UCCE is continuing to make field visits but otherwise delivering educational programs through teleconference platforms and responding to phone and email inquiries, including the home gardener Helpdesk. Feel free to email a UCCE staff member. Also, check web resources for agriculture specific COVID-19 information, Marin Master Gardeners resources, and online learning opportunities and programs.

Also, offices of Marin County Superior Court — which is operated out of the Civic Center’s Hall of Justice by the State of California court system and is not part of the County of Marin government — are open as of June 1. Courtroom proceedings will be virtual through the use of remote technologies until further notice. The Court provides updates on its website. Call (415) 444-7020 for more information.