• When do I need an encroachment permit?
• Do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my own property?
• How are street light outages reported and to whom?
• Where can I pick up sand bags?
• Who do I call to report the following:  potholes, debris in roadway, street sign blockage, fallen tree limbs in the street?
• Who is responsible for street sweeping services and what is the schedule?
• Who do I contact for sewer back-up emergencies?
• Who do I contact regarding graffiti removal?

When do I need an encroachment permit? (top)

Any excavation, modification, construction activity or encroachment within the City’s right-of-way (ROW) or easement requires an encroachment permit from the City.  The City’s street ROW most commonly covers streets and sidewalks and often a few feet beyond onto the owner’s property.  The City also has various forms of public easements over private certain properties for public sewer, storm drains, utilities, access, view corridors or such other public use. Your property’s Title Report would typical identify such easements.  Encroachment permits are required for both temporary and long-term encroachments.  Typical activities that usually trigger the need for an encroachment permit include:

• Sidewalk or driveway repairs
• Temporary debris boxes
• Sewer, water, or gas repairs or connections
• Placement of benches, chairs, or planters
• Awnings that reach over sidewalks

Contact the Public Works department via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone at 650-726-8266.  Most permits can be issued within a week, but some require additional research and take a little longer.   Please refer to the Street Encroachment section of this website for more information.

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my own property? (top)

An amended Heritage Tree Ordinance is in the Municipal Code Section 7.40. 

How are street light outages reported and to whom? (top)

The Public Works Department maintains the street lights along Main Street from Highway 1 to Filbert Street and the 300-500 blocks of Seymour Street.  Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) maintains all the other street lights. 

You can contact the Public Works Department at (650) 726-8260 or Public Works email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to report a malfunctioning street light.  Please provide the following information:

• Street name and address where the light pole is located and if possible, the pole number, and a cross street
• Type of problem with the street light: i.e. burn-out, cycles on and off repeatedly, light burns 24 hours a day, broken glassware
• Provide your name and phone number if case additional information is needed

For lights maintained by PG&E, you may call them at 1-800-743-5002 or fill out an on-line form for either single or multiple outages by clicking here for the PG&E web site.

Where can I pick up sand bags? (top)

During each rainy season, sand bags are available to Half Moon Bay residents for flood control purposes only.  Sandbags are not furnished to contractors or for business/home construction projects.

Sand, bags and shovels will be available to residents and merchants to bag the sand.  Sand bag location is the restroom area grounds at the TRAIN DEPOT (110 Higgins Canyon Road - turn left after the Fire Station on Main Street).

Who do I call to report the following:  potholes, debris in roadway, street sign blockage, fallen tree limbs in the street? (top)

The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining street signs, pavement markings, and street repairs in the City right of way.

To report a pothole or missing signs, contact the Public Works Department at (650) 726-8260 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include the issue, street name/address and location.

Who is responsible for street sweeping services and what is the schedule? (top)

Please see the Street Sweeping section of this website for the latest information.

Who do I contact for sewer back-up emergencies? (top)

The most expedient remedy is to call your favorite plumber to clean out the sewer lateral as most problems originate there. If it is determined that the problem is not in the property owner’s pipes, you may contact Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) who will clear blockages that occur in sewer lines in the street.  The following information is from the SAM website found at http://www.samcleanswater.org/phone_numbers.htm:  In the event of a sewer emergency such as sewage escaping the collection system or a sewage nuisance, call the Authority at: (650) 726-0124 day or night Follow the instructions given by the voice mail system.  An Authority representative will contact you promptly.

Who do I contact regarding graffiti removal? (top)

Residents can report and remove graffiti through the Graffiti Abatement Hotline at (650) 712-7310 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To report graffiti vandalism in progress, residents should call 911. If you want to report information about “taggers” anonymously, please call the HMB Sheriff Sub Station at (650) 726-8288.

When reporting graffiti, the following should be included:

• Location:  The address, or closest address, of the affected area.  If graffiti is located at an intersection, include cross roads and directional clues (NE,SE,SW,NW).
• Type:  Include the type of property that received the graffiti, such as a wall, curbside, telephone pole or fence.  If graffiti is located on utility poles, boxes and/or phone booths please include the company name (PG&E, Comcast, etc.) and any other identifying information that will help pin-point the location.
• Business Name:  Permission must be obtained from the property owner to clean private property.
• Contact Information:  Please include your name and phone number in case additional information is needed.  Your contact information will not be shared.
• Photos:  Photos are instrumental in documenting graffiti and are used as evidence in the event that a tagger is arrested and charged.  Photos should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please click here for our graffiti FAQ