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1. Where do I register to vote?

Voter Registration forms are available in the Lobby of Marina City Hall at 211 Hillcrest Avenue, or requesting one to be mailed to you by calling 831-884-1278 and Monterey County Elections Office, 1340 B South Main St., Salinas CA 93901, phone: 831-796-1499.

2. I'd like to volunteer on a City Commission, how can I apply?

Interested registered voters of Marina may apply at any time. For more information and an application, go to

Appointment Policy and Procedures

3. When do I apply for a commission?

Interested registered voters of Marina may apply at any time. For more information and an application, go to

Appointment Policy and Procedures

4. Who's on the Commissions?

Visit the Boards and Commissions web page for the latest roster of commissioners and committee members.

View the Board and Commissions web page

5. What are the responsibilities of commissioners?

Marina Municipal Code Section 2.12

View the municipal code for this item

6. What is the term of office of Mayor/Council Member?

The Mayor's term of office is two years, and Council Members terms of office are four years.

7. What is the salary of Mayor/Council Member?

Mayor Salary is $250 per month and Council Member is $200 per month.

8. How can I get on a mailing (email) list for City Council (or Commission) agendas? Is there a cost?

Cost to receive by the U.S. Post Office is $55 (annual), or you can receive via email by calling the City Manager's office at (831) 884-1278.

9. When and what time are Council meetings?

City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. for Closed Session and at 6:30 p.m. for Open Session in the City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Avenue, Marina. Occasionally, a special meeting needs to be held, which requires 24 hour notice.

10. How long are the terms for Commissioners?

Commissioners serve for two (2) year terms.

11. Where can I find the agendas of the Planning, DRB, etc.?

Visit the legislative bodies agendas and minutes page:

Agenda Center

12. Where can I find the minutes of the Planning, DRB, etc.?

Visit the Agenda Center.

Agendas and Minutes

13. What is the phone number for the courthouse?

Monterey County Courthouse in Marina Traffic Court: 831-883-5300, Ext 3011 Small Claims: 831-883-5300, Ext 3012 For Other Court Inquiries, go to monterey.courts.ca.gov

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1. What affordable housing opportunities are in Marina?

For details regarding affordable renting and home ownership in Marina visit

Housing.

2. What are affordable housing plans for future developments in Marina?

For a list of future development project affordable housing plans, please visit

Housing.

3. Does the City of Marina have down payment assistance programs for first time home buyers?

At this time the City of Marina does not have down payment assistance for first time home buyers. However, Monterey County may have opportunities. Contact the County of Monterey at (831) 755-5395.

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1. Where is the City of Marina business license valid?

The City of Marina business license is valid within the City limits.

2. Will I need other City permits (such as use permit, home-occupation permit, fictitious business name filing, etc.)?

Use and home-occupation permit – Planning Department (831) 884-1220

Fictitious business name filing – County of Monterey Clerk’s Office (831) 755-5450

3. How do I apply or renew for a business license?

Online at https://marina.hdlgov.com/

Telephone at (831) 920-3890

4. Will you honor my Monterey County business license or one from another city?

No, a City of Marina business license is required.

5. Do I need a business license for residential or commercial rentals/leasing?

Yes, see City Ord. Ch. 5.20 http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Marina/

6. Are any businesses exempt?

Business exemptions include: charitable and nonprofit organizations, disabled veterans, minors (under sixteen years of age; see code), and artists and art exhibits (less than $1,000 per year).  For proof of qualification, see City Ord. Ch. 5.12

http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Marina/

7. How do I apply or renew for a business license?

Online at marina.hdlgov.com

Telephone at (831) 920-3890

8. Does the City business license expire?

The City business license expires on June 30th of each year. The business license tax is due on July 1st for the license period of July 1st – June 30th. For renewal process, see answer above.

See City Ord. Ch. 5.16. codepublishing.com/CA/Marina

9. What are the business license penalties for late filing?

Late payment penalties are applied as follows: August 1st -31st of 10%, Sept 1st – 30th of 35%, after Oct 1st of 50%. See City Ord. Ch. 5.16 codepublishing.com/CA/Marina

10. How do I change an address or ownership?

For change of address:

Update online at marina.hdlgov.com/

Telephone (831) 920-3890

For change of ownership:

A new business license application is required.

Apply online at marina.hdlgov.com or call (831) 920-3890

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1. What's happening with the large residential developments in Marina?

For information regarding the status of residential development and other strategic development projects, visit

Development Projects

2. What development opportunities are currently available with the City of Marina?

To view the City's development opportunities, visit the

Development/Redevelopment Opportunities page.

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1. How do I apply for a Reserve Firefighter position?

There are prerequisites you must meet and you must fill out an application. Learn more about how to Reserve.

2. What is the City's Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating?

The City of Marina has a 3/3Y ISO rating (effective October 1, 2014).

3. How do I get a copy of a fire report?

Citizens should call the Marina Fire Department at (831) 275-1700.

4. How do I set up a field inspection?

Please call the Fire Department at (831) 275-1700 or email fireinspections@cityofmarina.org

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1. When and why does the Housing Element need to be updated?

State law requires regular updates to the Housing Element to ensure relevancy and accuracy. These updates are currently required every eight years. The time from one update to the next is called a housing cycle. Marina is currently in the 5^th housing cycle that began in 2015 and will end in 2023. The upcoming 6^th Housing Element cycle will cover the next eight-year planning period (2023-2031).

Having an approved housing plan helps make Marina eligible for grants to help fund infrastructure to support housing development and more.

2. What is the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)?

The RHNA decides the number of residential units the city must plan for in the Housing Element. The RHNA identifies the number of residential units required for each economic income segment, which includes very-low, low, moderate, and above-moderate incomes. The calculation of income levels is based on Area Median Income (AMI), which for Marina is $73,115 per year for a household of four.

3. Must cities and counties build the housing required by RHNA?

While cities and counties do not generally build housing – that is the function of private developers – they do adopt plans, regulations and programs that provide opportunities for how and where housing development occurs. Although the Housing Element identifies sites that are available in the city to plan for future housing, it does not mean the property owner is required to build the housing within the next eight years or any time in the future. Rather, the City is required to identify sites that are suitable for development and may implement programs to support housing development.

4. What makes a house affordable to an income group?

In a word, density. The foundation of State’s Housing Element Law is based on the premise that density is a proxy for affordability. The idea being, the more housing units on a site (density) translates to lower construction costs per unit, which translates to lower rental/sale prices of those units (affordability). Based on this, California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) assigns minimum density figures to each income category. In Marina, HCD identified a zoning density of least 20 dwelling units per acre to be appropriate for the development of housing that can accommodate low-income households.

5. How will housing locations be selected?

The updated housing plan must show the exact locations where future housing can be built and identify the potential number of homes that can be built at those locations. The City’s Housing Element will include an inventory of the sites that are compliant with current legislation and shows where housing units can be accommodated. The sites must be vacant or underutilized and have potential for development during the eight-year planning period. Some of the sites identified may be already zoned for housing that can accommodate a certain percentage of the RHNA income categories.

The City may establish criteria and eliminate sites based on the following:

• Topography is not conducive to building
• Sites are not safe because they are in a flood zone or high-fire area

Criteria to support housing on sites may include:

• Vacant lots
• Underutilized sites, such as lots with uses or structures that are no longer needed or need rehabilitation
• Locations where housing could be become denser than it is today
• Locations near public transit and essential services like neighborhood serving retail centers
• Sites where infrastructure, such as water and sewer service, can support more housing

Per the HCD Site Inventory Guidebook, sites best suited to accommodate the RHNA for lower income households should include factors such as:

• Proximity to transit
• Access to high performing schools and jobs
• Access to amenities, such as parks and services
• Access to health care facilities and grocery stores
• Locational criteria that meet Low-income Housing Tax Credit Program funding
• Proximity to available infrastructure and utilities
• Sites that do not require environmental mitigation

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1. How do I renew my Business License?

You will be sent a courtesy renewal notice approximately one month before your license expires. The Municipal code states that the City is not required to send notification to any person/business who is liable for the tax.

If you do not receive the renewal notice, you are still responsible for renewing your license before it expires. At the time of renewal you will pay the annual amount of business license tax and a $39 renewal fee. More...

2. How do I get a copy of a fire report?

Citizens should call the Marina Fire and Police Records Division at (831) 884-1210.

3. How do I set up a field inspection?

Please call the Fire Department at (831) 884-1213.

4. How do I sign up for recycling?

Green Waste Recovery handles recycling for the City of Marina.

More info...

5. How do I get a police report?

Depending on the type of report, the reason for the request, and the involvement of the requesting party, a report police report may or may not be released. Citizens may stop by or call the Marina Police Records Division to inquire about the release of a police report. They are located at 211 Hillcrest Avenue in Marina, California, or may be reached by phone at (831) 884-1210.

Generally, our agency does not release reports to anyone not listed on the report. We do not release any reports where juveniles are involved. We do not release arrest reports to the suspects in the case. Suspects wishing to obtain a copy of a police report must do so through their attorney or the District Attorney's Office

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1. Where can I sign up for utilities?

The City of Marina does not own or administer local utilities services. Visit our resource directory for a list of utility agencies and utilities contact information.

2. Who is my trash and recycling provider?

Green Waste Recovery is the contractor for trash pick up and other services.

More info here

3. Where can I find emergency disaster information?

The Fire Department has many resources on disaster preparedness.

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1. How do I get to the Marina Police Department?

• From Monterey
Take Highway 1 North to Marina. Exit Del Monte Boulevard, turn right on Reindollar (1st traffic signal), left on Sunset and left on Hillcrest.

• From Salinas-Via Blanco Road
Travel westbound on Blanco Road, bear right on Reservation Road, turn left on Seacrest Ave, Right on Carmel Ave, left on Sunset Ave and a right on Hillcrest Ave.

• From Salinas-Via Highway 68
Travel west on Highway 68 to Reservation Road, turn left on Seacrest Ave, Right on Carmel Ave, left on Sunset Ave and a right on Hillcrest Ave.

• From Los Angeles
Take the Laurel Drive exit, left on Laurel Drive; turn right on West Blanco Road, bear right on Reservation Road, turn left on Seacrest Ave, Right on Carmel Ave, left on Sunset Ave and a right on Hillcrest Ave.

• From San Francisco
Take Highway 101 South to the Monterey Peninsula. Exit Highway 156 West to the Monterey Peninsula. Highway 156 turns into Highway 1 south to Monterey Peninsula. Marina only has two exits into the City- Del Monte & Reservation Road.

-Exit Del Monte Boulevard; turn left at stop sign going over freeway overpass. Follow Del Monte Boulevard into town. Turn left on Palm Avenue (second traffic signal); right on Sunset and another right on Hillcrest.

-Exit Reservation Road, turn left at stop sign. Turn right at second traffic signal, staying on Reservation Road; right on Del Monte Boulevard; left at Palm Avenue; right on Sunset and another right on Hillcrest.

2. How do I get a copy of a police report?

Depending on the type of report, the reason for the request, and the involvement of the requesting party, a report police report may or may not be released. Citizens may stop by or call the Marina Police Records Division to inquire about the release of a police report. They are located at 211 Hillcrest Avenue in Marina, California, or may be reached by phone at (831) 884-1210.


Generally, our agency does not release reports to anyone not listed on the report. We do not release any reports where juveniles are involved. We do not release arrest reports to the suspects in the case. Suspects wishing to obtain a copy of a police report must do so through their attorney or the District Attorney's Office.

3. How do I pay for my parking Citations?

All Parking Citations are now being processed through Parking Management Bureau. Here is there contact information:

Parking Management Bureau (PMB)
One University Circle
Turlock, CA 95382

Phone: 1-800-700-4417

Monday-Friday 8am – 5pm (Pacific Time)

To pay for your parking violation:

• Make check payable to Parking Management Bureau
• Provide the ticket number or license plate number on the check
• DO NOT send cash

Mail check to:

Parking Management Bureau
One University Circle
Turlock, CA 95382


You may also pay your citation via debit or credit card at the Parking Management Bureau's website located at www.pmbonline.org. *Only Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.

If you wish to dispute your parking violation, you can do so by completing and submitting an Administrative Hearing Request form. This form can be found online at the Parking Management Bureau website at www.pmbonline.org.

- Unless disputed, all tickets must be paid within 21 days from the day they are issued or 14 days from the mailing date of the delinquency notice, which is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.

-Failure to pay within this timeline will result in the first fine increase. You will then have 7-10 days to pay the amount before the fine increases a second time and a DMV hold on the vehicle registration is put in place.

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4. Can I pay for a ticket that I received in Marina at the Marina Police Station?

All traffic tickets issued by Marina Police Officers must be taken care of through the Monterey County Traffic Court. The court is located at 3180 Del Monte Blvd. in the city of Marina. Unfortunately, we are not able to process any traffic citations at the Marina Police Department.

5. How do I get my fix-it ticket signed off?

Tickets issued for correctable violations may be signed off by an officer after having paid the appropriate fee to the department.  You must first come to the main office of the Police Department during regular business hours and pay an administrative fee of $20.00 for signing off each citation. This is in addition to any fees or fines imposed by the court. We will not be able to sign off tickets for 16028(a) VC. (Evidence of Financial Responsibility) This must be done at the Marina Traffic Court.

6. Do you offer fingerprinting/Livescan?

We do not currently offer Fingerprint/Livescan services to the public.

7. How do I check the status of my case?

You should first try and contact the reporting officer that took your report. If you don’t know the name of the officer that took your report, you can contact the Records Bureau at (831) 884-1210. Normally, non-custody reports reports take from 7-10 days for completion and supervisory approval before they are received by the Records Bureau and can be released. If your case has been assigned to an investigator, you may contact the Investigations Bureau.

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1. Where is the animal control shelter?

The City of Marina now contracts with the City of Salinas Animal Shelter for animal sheltering services. We do still accept stray dogs that are found within the city limits at our Marina location, but no longer adopt out animals from there. The Marina shelter is now a holding facility for lost pets that are waiting to be returned to their owners or transferred to the City of Salinas animal shelter.

The City of Marina no longer has any services agreement with the SPCA of Monterey County. While we encourage you to contact them if you are interested in any adoption opportunities and other animal related services they offer, we ask that you not turn in stray animals found within the city limits of Marina to the SPCA location. Please contact us for assistance.

The Marina animal shelter is located at 3040 Lake Drive in the City of Marina, but is not staffed 24 hours a day. If you have question or concerns, need to drop off a stray dog that was found within the city limits, or would like to see if your animal is being held at the shelter, you may call the Department’s non-emergency dispatch number at (831) 384-7575 and ask for an Community Services Officer.

2. Why do I have to report a dog bite?

Even though your dog has been immunized for rabies, there is a small chance it has been exposed to this fatal disease. Just to be sure, your dog has to be quarantined for 10 days. You can report a dog bite by calling the Marina Police Department's non-emergency number at (831)384-7575..

3. Will my dog be quarantined if there is a bite? I’m afraid if I call Animal Control they’ll take my dog away.

Animal Control allows quarantine within the dog owner's home as a courtesy. The quarantine is a protection for both people and your dog and must be adhered too.

4. What should I do if I lose my animal?

Contact a Marina Police Department Community Services Officer by calling the non-emergency dispatch number at (831) 384-7575. Your animal may be at the shelter and if not, a lost report will be taken and checked daily. You can also check with other animal service agencies in the county like the Salinas Animal Shelter, the Monterey County SPCA and the Monterey County Animal Services.

5. What should I do on weekends or after hours if I find injured wildlife?

Marina Police Department’s Community Services Officers do not handle wild animals. However, the SPCA Wildlife Division may be able to help. Wildlife emergencies during business hours can be reported by calling (831)373-2631, Ext. 227, or (831)442-4721, Ext. 227. 

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1. How do I get my vehicle back after it has been abated?

To recover an abated vehicle from a tow agency, you must first acquire a vehicle release from the Marina Police department. The requirements for obtaining a vehicle release are:

• The vehicle registration must be current
  
• If the registration is not current, a moving permit must be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles prior to requesting a vehicle release

The vehicle will only be released to the registered owner. The registered owner must posses a valid driver’s license or identification card. If the register owner does not possess a valid driver’s license, he/she must be accompanied by a licensed driver.

There is a $65 vehicle release fee. The fee must be paid in cash. This is a departmental fee and does not require any fees you will be required to pay the towing agency.

2. I reported an abandoned vehicle several times, so why has it not been removed?

An abatement process must be adhered to in order to ensure the legal removal of a vehicle. On average, the abatement process takes a minimum of fifteen business days to complete. Once a vehicle has been moved, it is no longer considered abandoned and the abatement process ends. The abatement process will have to be restarted based on a new complaint.

3. My neighbors always park their vehicles in front of my house. What can I do?

Generally, city streets, including those in residential areas, are public property. Unless the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway or it is determined that the vehicle is has been parked there for over 72 consecutive hours, the vehicle is legally parked and can not be cited or towed.

4. How do I retrieve property from a vehicle that has been abated?

To recover property from an abated vehicle, you must provide the towing agency with a property release. The requirements for obtaining a property release from the Marina Police department are:

• You must be the registered owner of the vehicle and posses a valid identification with your picture.


• No fee is charged for a property release.


• Only personal property can be removed. Items such as car stereos/speakers and other auto parts may not be removed.

5. Why are there marks on my vehicle’s tire?

Offices will mark a tire in order to ensure that a vehicle is being driven and not stored on a public street. A tire is marked when a citizen complaint is received or the vehicle appears to have been parked in the same location for over 72 hours. If the vehicle is moved within 72 hours after the tire was marked, no citation will be issued and the vehicle abatement process will not be continued.

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1. How can I find out the zoning designation for my property?

You can contact the Planning Services Division at (831) 884-1220 with your street address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN). View Zoning Map