fairfax the latest news for you | | Storm Preparedness Reminders | |
Stay Prepared During Storm Season
Recent storms are a strong reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness—especially for power outages, flooding, and road closures during extreme weather.
Residents are encouraged to bookmark the Marin County Office of Emergency Management Public Portal, which provides real-time updates on outages, flooding, road conditions, and other local impacts:
To receive timely alerts by phone, text, or email, sign up for Alert Marin, the County’s official emergency notification system:
https://www.marincounty.gov/alertmarin
Additional helpful resources include 511.org for traffic and roadway updates.
Sandbags are available during winter storm events for residents (bring your own shovel; supplies are limited).
Fairfax residents can pick up sandbags at the baseball field parking lot on Elsie Street, between the Pavilion and the ball field. Please remember to use sandbags properly—placing them to divert water, not to fully seal a property.
If you hear a flood horn or siren, flooding is imminent. Do not delay—move immediately to higher ground or a higher floor and avoid downtown or low-lying areas.
Click here to view the live streamed Fairfax Creek Web Cam or visit the Town’s website or the County emergency portal.
Stay informed
Sign up for AlertMarin to receive emergency alerts, evacuation notices, and weather updates by phone, text, or email. You can also monitor outage updates through PG&E and follow advisories from the National Weather Service Bay Area.
| | | Message from the Fairfax Police Department | |
By: Sergeant Jonathan Judge
The Fairfax Police Department is responsible for enforcing all parking violations within the town.
As a reminder, ALL marked red zones and fire lanes are prohibited parking spaces, NO EXCEPTIONS. Overnight parking is not permitted from 2 am to 6 am on Broadway, Bolinas Rd (from Broadway to Park Rd), and Sir Francis Drake Blvd from Pacheco Av to Claus Dr. Timed parking is enforced six days a week (except Sundays) from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
There are no parking meters in Fairfax, so we chalk-mark the tires of parked vehicles to record the time parked at each location. Parked vehicles must leave 12 feet of clearance to allow space for a fire truck, and must be 15 or more feet away from fire hydrants.
Effective January 1, 2025, California's daylighting law (Assembly Bill 413) prohibits parking, stopping, or standing a vehicle within 20 feet of the approach side of a marked or unmarked crosswalk. In California, police vehicles can temporarily stop or park in red zones when performing official duties or responding to an emergency.
Please call 415-453-5330 to report any parking issues.
More information can be found on the Town of Fairfax website at Parking Enforcement - Town of Fairfax .
| | | Renew your merchant parking pass for 2026! | |
The Fairfax Police Department is now accepting Merchant Parking Permit applications for 2026. Please note that 2025 permits are no longer valid.
Merchant Parking Passes allow eligible vehicles to park in designated areas during business hours. Permits are issued annually and must be properly displayed.
For more details about permit fees, parking locations, and rules, visit our website.
To apply, visit the Fairfax Police Department at 142 Bolinas Road. A completed application and payment are required at the time of purchase.
| | | Fairfax Recognized as a Top Community for Older Adults | |
Fairfax has been named one of the top small communities in the nation for older adults in AARP’s 2025 Livability Rankings, earning a spot in the Top 25 for the first time! The rankings evaluate communities nationwide based on factors such as housing, transportation, walkability, health, and community engagement.
Fairfax ranked No. 22 among small communities (population 5,000–24,999), reflecting the Town’s strong quality of life and age-friendly environment. Marin County also performed well overall, ranking No. 12 among large communities, highlighting the region’s continued leadership in livability across generations.
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Upcoming public meetings
Town Council Meeting
Monday, January 12 | 6:30 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission
(Location changed to Fairfax Community Center)
Monday, January 12 | 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission l Meeting
Thursday, January 15 | 7:00 p.m.
Climate Action Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 20 | 6:00 p.m.
Tree Committee Meeting
Monday, January 26 | 7:00 p.m.
View agendas and more public meetings.
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Pavilion | 6:30 PM
Chamber of Commerce Fairfax Bingo Night
Have fun, play games, win big?!!
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Bolinas Park | 10AM - 11AM
Chi Gong in Bolinas Park
Practice under the Redwoods. Sign up online!
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Women's Club | 9AM-11:30AM
Age Friendly Mat & Chair Yoga
Get your stretch on with teacher Kelly Lynch - Yoga Schedule.
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Check out the January 2026 Age-Friendly newsletter!
Stay updated on initiatives, resources, and opportunities for our vibrant aging community.
Get Involved with Age Friendly Fairfax
Join the Age Friendly Fairfax group—no experience needed! Lend a hand, share ideas, and build community. The group typically meets once a month (or less often) on the 4th Friday from 9-10AM at the Bennett House (at times, we meet at other locations). Visit our website to learn more about Age Friendly Fairfax.
We are looking for new members to join us.
If you're looking to get connected with or have questions about the Age Friendly community, contact the chair of Age Friendly Fairfax, Josa Buennagel, at jtuchel@gmail.com.
| | | Business License Renewals are digital in 2026! | |
The Town of Fairfax is modernizing its business license program and moving to a new online system on our website. All business license renewals are now completed digitally — no more paper packets in the mail!
You may now make your payment online using credit/debit, ACH or Apple and Google Pay.
We are aware that some folks are experiencing difficulties with the new system, and we're actively working to address these issues. If you are having trouble applying or renewing, please don’t worry— just give us a call or send an email.
You may still, however, visit Town Hall, during front counter hours Monday-Thursday from 8:30am-12 and 1-5pm if you prefer to pay by check or if you need any help with the new system.
In addition, the Town is also conducting a routine review to make sure our business records are complete. If you receive a notice, don’t worry, we’re also offering a temporary amnesty program through February 28, so businesses can catch up on missed renewals without penalties.
For more information and renew your license or apply for a new business license, visit the Business License page on the Town website and click on "Apply/Renew".
Questions?
businesslicense@townoffairfaxca.gov.
(415) 458-2341
| | | Share your thoughts on biking and walking in Fairfax - Take the survey! | |
Community input is essential to the 2026 update of Fairfax’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Please take a few minutes to complete the Town’s map-based walking, biking, and rolling survey and share your real-world experiences.
If you need accommodations to complete the survey, please contact Associate Planner Bryn McKillop at bmckillop@townoffairfaxca.gov.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) will hold its next meeting on Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fairfax Women’s Club, and community participation is strongly encouraged, your voice helps shape safer, more connected streets for everyone.
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PG&E Electricity Bill Changes Starting March 2026
Beginning in March 2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will introduce a Base Services Charge (BSC) for all residential customers. This is not a new fee and is mandated by the State of California AB 205, but a restructuring of existing PG&E charges that shifts some costs from per-kilowatt-hour usage into a flat monthly service charge. MCE generation charges are not affected.
Average monthly Base Services Charges will be approximately $24 for most customers, $12 for FERA or deed-restricted housing customers, and $6 for CARE customers. Customers who use less electricity may see a small increase, while higher-use customers may see modest savings due to lower usage-based rates. Solar customers will also begin paying a service charge that cannot be offset by excess solar credits.
PG&E is making this change to support California’s electrification and clean energy goals while making customer bills more equitable.
To learn more, visit PGE.
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Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance
Maximizing a tax refund can put vital money back in people’s pockets. Community Action Marin offers free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance where caring, trained volunteers guide Marin residents through matters such as reporting on public benefits and claiming the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), so they can claim tax benefits for which they’re eligible and understand their choices for the next year. Tax assistance is part of the integrated services that help to put long-term financial security within reach.
Any household with an income of $69,000 or below and a social security number or ITIN is eligible to have their California and federal income taxes prepared for free.
TAX PREPARATION LOCATION & HOURS:
Community Action Marin
7655 Redwood Blvd
Novato, CA 94945
Dates: February 9 – April 10, 2026
Hours: Fridays, 9:00am – 3:00pm
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Keeping Varmints at Bay Presentation
Fairfax Library | January 24, 11am
Living at the edge of open space can present challenges to the home gardener.
Do you look out the window and find your carefully cultivated fruits and vegetables are partially eaten? Are your plants are disappearing?
It’s likely your garden is being appreciated by gophers, rats, or raccoons.
Marin Master Gardener Lois Stevens will provide information and discuss techniques to help home gardeners cope with these garden pests. no registration needed.
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5 Essential Skills for iPhone & iPad
Fairfax Library | January 8, 2-3pm
This free class will cover the 5 essential skills you need to know for using your iPhone/iPad. Mastering these skills will allow you to get more done in less time and maximize how your iPhone/iPad can make your life easier.
We will cover: The Home Screen, Multitasking Window, Notifications Center, Control Center, and Search & Siri. No registration required!
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Medi-Cal Changes in 2026: Steps to Stay Covered
Medi-Cal changes in 2026 may affect some adult immigrants. If you or a family member has Medi-Cal, taking a few steps now can help you stay covered. Affected members will receive notices by mail, text, or email, so be sure your Medi-Cal contact information is up to date. Watch for renewal packets and respond quickly. Know your renewal date and keep your medical appointments.
If you have questions, reach out for help. Learn more.
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