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• Upcoming Housing Element Update Special Council Meeting

• Protect your Property from Wildfire Risks

• Additional Information on Disaster Recovery Assistance

San Mateo County has issued a severe weather warning for tonight (Feb. 23) including the potential for more high winds, rain and snow in certain areas. For real-time hazardous condition updates in your area, be sure to sign up for SMC Alerts by clicking the banner below.

Disaster Recovery Center to Remain Open Until March 14th

Due to high demand, the County's Disaster Recovery Center will remain open until March 14th. The center will operate daily at the San Mateo County Event Center, west parking entrance, 2495 S. Delaware Street. Hours of operation will be from 9:00am to 7:00pm (including weekends) in Cypress Hall (please note that the Center will close at 5:00pm on March 14th).

Click here to read the full press release.

Special City Council Meeting - Housing Element Update (2/27)

The City Council will be holding another Special City Council Meeting for the Housing Element Update on Monday, February 27th at 6:00pm.

The agenda packet has been posted on the Town's website in the Agenda Center. Interested individuals can attend in-person in the Town Hall Council Chambers (1600 Floribunda Avenue) or remotely via Zoom (meeting link).

City Council Schedule:

February 27th - 6:00pm

Housing Element Special Meeting

(Tentative) March 6th - 7:00pm

Housing Element Special Meeting

March 13th - 6:00pm

Regular City Council Meeting

Other Boards and Committees:

February 24th - 10:30am

Administrative Hearing Panel

March 6th - 4:00pm

Architectural Design and Review Board

March 14th - 10:00am

Citizens Communication Advisory Committee

What can you do to be Wildfire Ready?

Central County Fire Department (CCFD) will begin the vegetation management inspections in the North side of the Town of Hillsborough in February 2023. Even if you are not required an inspection, it is important that you maintain the vegetation around your home and property for the safety of you and your neighbors. 

Annual weeds and grasses need to be mowed annually to a height of 4 inches and non- native invasive species, such as Scotch Broom should be cut to a height of 4 inches or removed by the root when possible. Trees should be maintained healthy and dead trees need to be removed. It is recommended that a certified arborist or tree specialist evaluate your trees to see if they should be removed or treated.  Check with the Town to determine if a permit is required before having large trees (over 36 inches in diameter) removed.

CCFD will not make any requirements for fuel modification, reduction, or alteration within 20-feet of protected areas, including riparian and/or areas with protected plant or animal species.

It is also important to know where your property lines are located. Have you managed your entire property? It is easy to overlook the furthest portions of your yard especially if it hasn’t been landscaped. All areas of your property should be kept clear of dead and dying brush, dead trees and annual weeds and grasses be maintained. Vegetation near homes should be maintained so that it is not overgrown and provides plant spacing that would limit fire spreading from one plant or tree to another. For more information, please visit the Town of Hillsborough Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Program homepage.

Property Tax Postponement Application Deadline Extended to April 14th

The Property Tax Postponement (PTP) program application deadline has been extended Statewide to April 14, 2023 due to the recent atmospheric river storm events. The program typically allows homeowners who are seniors, are blind, or have a disability and who meet eligibility requirements to defer payment of property taxes on their primary residence.

Application materials can be found online on the State Controller's website, by phone at (800) 952-5661, or by email at postponement@sco.ca.gov.

Click here to read the full press release.

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Homeowners and Renters - Due March 16th

Homeowners and renters in San Mateo County who experienced damage and losses due to the recent Atmospheric River storms are eligible for federal disaster assistance. The deadline to apply is March 16, 2023.

For more information, please visit the official website at www.disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362.

Businesses are Eligible too Through the Small Business Administration - Due March 16th

Low-interest federal disaster loans are also available to California businesses. Homeowners and renters who apply for disaster assistance through FEMA may be referred to the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA recommends that homeowners and renters should submit their SBA disaster loan application, even if they are not sure if they will need or want a loan. If SBA cannot approve your application, in most cases we refer you to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program for possible additional assistance.

Potential Loan Amounts:

• Homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair or replace real estate damage and up to $40,000 to replace personal property. 
• Renters: up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.
• Businesses: up to $2,000,000 to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets that were damaged or destroyed (available to businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations).
• Economic Injury: only for small businesses and most private non-profit organizations suffering adverse financial impacts of the disaster (with or without property loss), up to $2,000,000 for working capital to help pay obligations until normal operations resume. 

Interested applicants are encouraged to register on the FEMA site first. If referred to the SBA, there are multiple ways to apply and request assistance:

Website: https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov

Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Phone: (800) 659-2955

HIP Housing Volunteer Opportunities

HIP Housing needs your help! Human Investment Project Housing (HIP Housing) is a non-profit organization based in San Mateo County that specializes in affordable and creative housing solutions. Each year, HIP Housing helps 1,400 people find housing or keep their homes through our Home Sharing, Self Sufficiency, and Property Development Programs. We could use your help with program outreach, event support, and more.

To apply, please complete our HIP Housing Volunteer application. For more information, contact Laura Fanucchi at lfanucchi@hiphousing.org or (650) 348-6660.

Save the Date! Shred-It and E-Scrap Event - Saturday, June 10, 2023

Hillsborough's annual Shred-It and E-Scrap Event will be held on Saturday, June 10th from 9:00am to noon at Hillsborough Town Hall. The event is limited to Hillsborough residents only.

Shredding is limited to 3 standard size banker boxes (10″x 12″x 15″) per household. Shred event lasts until the time listed or until the truck is full, whichever comes first.

E-scrap is limited to items such as: TVs, computers, printers, monitors, laptops, cables/cords, cell phones, MP3 and DVD players. Items that CANNOT be accepted include: household appliances like fans, floor heaters, smoke detectors, vacuum cleaners, cooktops, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, or any household hazardous waste.

Can't make the event? The Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos has e-waste recycling available year round, often at no cost.