CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2025
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5 Climate Action Plan Progress Report
2025
BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION
BE 1 ALL-ELECTRIC NEW CONSTRUCTION
Encouraging Building Electrification Reach Codes for New Construction In 2022, the City adopted reach codes requiring all new construction to be all-electric beginning January 1, 2023. In 2024, due to a federal court decision, the City suspended the enforcement of its reach codes that prohibit the installation of new gas infrastructure. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley determined that a local ordinance that generally prohibited the installation of natural gas infrastructure was preempted by federal law, namely the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). In January 2025, the San Mateo City Council adopted an Energy Performance Reach Code for new construction that requires energy compliance margins for new buildings and repealed the unenforceable all-electric requirement. The City’s reach code was approved by the California Energy Commission on April 10, 2025 and will be effective through December 31, 2025.
All-electric new construction permits issued
Single
Family
Home
Duplex ADU Multifamily Commercial
2024 Data not yet available
2023 12 2 39 0 0
2022 4 1 25 0 5-story office bldg
2021 1 4 23 Kiku Crossing: 225 units 0
2020 0 0 6 Waters Park: 190 units 0
BE 2 ALL-ELECTRIC EXISTING BUILDINGS
The Electrify San Mateo effort aims to identify existing building electrification policies to help meet the City’s climate goals. The project team completed an analysis framework incorporating equity and effectiveness, building inventory and market segmentation, and building electrification cost analysis. The project team is in the process of collecting community input on the different policy pathways that were reviewed by City Council in January 2024. Outreach continues in 2025 with community workshops and an information gathering survey. The project team aims to wrap up the work in Summer 2025.
On March 15, 2023, the Bay Area Air District (formerly BAAQMD) adopted rules to phase out the sale and installation of gas water heaters by 2027 and gas furnaces by 2029.
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5 In June 2022, the City launched the Induction Cooktop Loaner Program that offers hands-on experience with a portable induction cooktop. Residents can borrow an induction cooktop and cookware for two weeks. In 2022, 16 residents borrowed the induction cooktop kits and in 2023, 27 residents borrowed the induction cooktop kits. In 2024, 19 residents borrowed the induction cooktop kits.
Building Electrification Reach Codes for Existing Buildings In November 2022, the City Council adopted reach codes impacting residential building upgrades to encourage electric-readiness and require electric equipment. These reach codes were effective January 1, 2023 – July 2024 and are summarized as follows:
oElectric readiness panel capacity: Requires panel replacement and panel upgrade projects to include panel capacity and breaker space for future electrification of building systems for all residential buildings.
oElectric-readiness outlets installed: Requires kitchen and laundry area renovations include the installation of an outlet for the use of future electric appliances in single family homes and duplexes.
oHeat pump HVAC: Requires the installation of heat pump HVAC system when new air conditioning is installed ore replaced in single family homes and duplexes. oGas infrastructure: Prohibits the extension of fuel gas infrastructure for new uses such as new fireplaces, fire pits, grills and pools in residential buildings. oHeat pump water heater: Requires heat pump water heater installation in addition and alteration projects that include water heater replacement in single family homes and duplexes.
As stated above, in July 2024, due to a federal court decision, the City suspended the enforcement of its reach codes that prohibit the installation of new gas infrastructure. In January 2025, the City Council repealed the reach codes that could no longer be enforced due to the federal court decision. The electric-readiness requirements for existing buildings continue to be in effect as they do not prohibit the installation of new gas infrastructure.
Electric Equipment Rebate Data
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) provides rebates for electrical panel upgrades, heat pump HVAC systems and heat pump water heaters:
PCE Electric Equipment Rebates
Year Electrical Panel Heat Pump
HVAC
Heat Pump
Water Heater
2024 37 200 79
2023 37 161 97
2022 6 3 28
2021 4 - 24
Source: Peninsula Clean Energy
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5 In October 2022, PCE launched the Zero Percent Interest Loan program that helps customers install heat pump water heaters, heat pump HVAC systems and energy efficiency upgrades. The loans are zero percent interest with no money-down for a term of up to 5 years. The payments are conveniently included on your monthly electric bill. In 2024, 96 households participated in the program and in 2023, 78 households participated in the program. Note that the homes that receive loans also receive rebates.
Through the BayREN Home + Program, residents received rebates for the installation of electric equipment including, heat pump hot water heaters, heat pump dryers or induction cooktops. As of November 2024, the BayREN Single Family Home+ program is no longer be available.
BayREN Electric Equipment Rebates
Year Heat Pump
Clothes Dryer
Heat Pump
Water Heater
Induction
Cooktop
2024 4 25 12
2023 1 70 20
2022 0 22 1
2021 0 30 1
Source: BayREN
RENEWABLE ENERGY
RE 1 PENINSULA CLEAN ENERGY
Peninsula Clean Energy provides clean and renewable electricity.
Peninsula Clean Energy Electricity Usage and GHGs Avoided Year Total PCE Usage
(kWh)
ECOplus Usage
(kWh)
GHGs Avoided
(MTCO2e)
2024 430,603,117 400,543,366 56,333
2023 436,935,356 430,173,796 57,097
2022 414,688,681 388,514,576 53,715
2021 414,131,873 383,596,168 54,357
2020 431,559,650 402,980,299 55,175
2019 455,581,927 424,884,661 41,176
2018 448,917,281 425,385,217 34,827
2017 457,510,644 446,960,009 32,170
Source: Peninsula Clean Energy
The City of San Mateo had a total of 61 opt-outs in 2024 and a 98% participation rate to end the year.
Since launching in 2016, Peninsula Clean Energy has been providing cleaner electricity, with a 98% reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions from electricity. Peninsula Clean Energy procures 100% clean energy that is at least 50% renewable for our ECOplus service and 100% renewable for ECO100. Their goal is to provide customers with 100% renewable energy, every hour of every day.
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5 RE 2 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR NEW AND EXISTING RESIDENCES The City provided information to property owners about discounts for solar including the annual Bay Area Sun Shares program and Peninsula Clean Energy’s rebate for solar and battery storage.
Solar and Battery Storage Permits for Residential Buildings Issued* Year # of Solar Permits
Issued
# of Battery Storage
Permits Issued
2024 315 88
2023 460 65
2022 384 115
2021 416 92
2020 248 87
*Note: some projects include both solar and battery storage RE 3 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR NEW AND EXISTING NONRESIDENTIAL
BUILDINGS
Solar Permits for Nonresidential Buildings
Year # of Solar Permits
Issued Total kW
2024 2 432
2023 2 47
2022 5 801
2021 3 205
2020 2 11.8
San Mateo Foster City School District Solar and EV Charging Infrastructure In 2024, the San Mateo Foster City School District installed solar and electric vehicle charging at schools throughout the district using Measure T funding.
School Solar (DC kW) EV Charging Ports
Bayside Academy (K-8) 302 4
Borel Middle School
238 4
Fiesta Gardens 202 4
Laurel Elementary School 121 4
Parkside Montessori 164 4
Sunnybrae Elementary
School
172 4
College Park Elementary 194 4
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5 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EE 1 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFITS
The BayREN Home + program provides rebates for energy efficiency upgrades including building air sealing, insulation, duct replacement and sealing, and more. In 2024, 57 single family home upgrade projects were completed and 97 individual measure rebates issued. In 2023, 134 single family home upgrade projects were completed and 246 individual measure rebates issued.
In 2022, 46 single family home upgrade projects were completed, and 102 individual measure rebates issued. This amounts to 297 home upgrades and 598 individual measure rebates issued since 2020. The BayREN Single Family Home+ program is no longer available. The Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements (BAMBE) program provides rebates for saving 15% of the building’s energy usage for project measures that include heating and cooling systems, water heating systems, lighting and appliances, building sealing and insulation and more. 25 units have participated in the program since 2020. The Home Energy Score program provides a score of home energy use on a scale of 1 to 10. It estimates home energy use, associated costs, and provides energy solutions to cost-effectively improve home efficiency. In 2024, there were 40 home energy score rebates and in 2023, there were 32 home energy score rebates and in 2022, there were 26 home energy rebates in San Mateo, amounting to 219 home energy score rebates since 2020. PCE’s Home Upgrade program serves income-qualified homeowners with home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost. Eligible improvements include door and window repair, water heating, heating and cooling, cooking, and more. In 2022, 11 households completed the program and in 2022 and 23 households completed the program.
EE 2 NONRESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFITS
There are 19 certified businesses in San Mateo certified through the San Mateo County Green Business Program.
EE 3 RESIDENTIAL TREE PLANTING
In addition to tree plantings in City parks, 150 trees are planted in City streets annually. Not all tree plantings are in residential areas but nonetheless help reduce the urban heat island effect and reduce cooling loads.
MUNICIPAL ENERGY EFFICENCY
ME 1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR NEW BUILDINGS
No new municipal facilities to report.
ME 2 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT EXISTING MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
In 2024, the City completed Indian Springs Park and is in construction at Casanova Park, Shoreview Park and Lakeshore Park for the Phase IV and Phase V upgrades to restrooms at park locations with water efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors.
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5 In 2024, the City completed the construction of a new accessible family changing room at the King Swim Center with efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors. The City updated one of the King Center kitchens to include energy efficient appliances. The City is in construction to install a Fire Alarm System at the King Recreation Center that includes low voltage instruments and controls. Part of the project includes replacing an existing air handling unit with a new energy efficient unit. In 2024, the City completed the ADA improvement project at Beresford Rec Center that included low voltage pathway lighting.
In 2023, the City completed an elevator modernization project at the 2nd and El Camino Garage and in 2024 completed elevator modernization project at Central Garage. The modernization project includes the installation of resilient materials and efficient components such as low voltage lighting, vacancy sensors and timers.
In 2023, the City completed the City Hall Staff restroom remodeling project which included the installation of water efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors.
ME 3 ALL-ELECTRIC MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
In 2024, the City participated in PG&E’s Government program administered by Willdan Energy Solutions to replace gas water heaters with electric equipment. City staff and Willdan assessed 17 City facilities to identify existing equipment and evaluate space for siting new electric equipment.
Beginning February 2024, the project team installed 13 electric heat pump water heaters at seven City facilities including City Hall, Main Library, Senior Center, Fire Station 21, Fire Station 23, Fire Station 26 and Fire Station 27. The City received a total incentive of over $200,000 from PG&E to offset 100% of project costs.
In 2022, PCE expanded their Solar and Storage for Public Buildings program and is working with jurisdictions across the region to identify sites for solar and battery storage installation. PCE will provided energy and savings analyses, vendor selection via public solicitation, management, and facilitation of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA provides the City with a fixed price for electricity without any capital outlay. Staff coordinated with PCE to identify Beresford Park Recreation Center to install a solar carport system in Summer 2025. The City is part of a public/private partnership to construct a new residential building and parking garage on two City-owned parcels Downtown. The project was completed in Spring 2024 and included the development of an all-electric seven-story affordable housing project, known as Kiku Crossing, and all-electric five-story parking garage with 27 Level 2 charging ports and solar PV, in compliance with the City’s reach code requirements.
CLEAN TRANSPORTATION FUELS
CF 1 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
In April 2022, the City completed installation of 13 Level 2 EV charging ports at the Main Street Garage in Downtown San Mateo. The project includes the installation of Powerflex equipment utilizing CALeVIP rebate funding, greatly reducing project costs.
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5 In April 2023, the City completed installation of 14 Level 2 charging ports at the 2 nd and El Camino Garage in Downtown San Mateo. The project also included the installation of Powerflex equipment utilizing PCE funding to greatly reduce project costs. In Spring 2024, the City completed construction of the new Kiku Public Parking Garage that includes the installation of 27 Level 2 charging ports. The project included the installation of Chargepoint equipment using PCE funding to reduce project costs. There are 70 EV charging ports at City-owned facilities, this includes 2 DCFC charging ports and 68 Level 2 charging ports.
Staff rely on crowd-sourced data on Plugshare.com to track the installation of EV chargers on private property that are available to the public. There are 254 charging ports that are publicly available in the city, not counting the ports at City-owned facilities; this includes 38 DCFC charging ports, 132 Level 2 charging ports and 84 Tesla charging ports. This marks incredible growth since 2023 when there was a total of 174 ports.
In 2022, the City adopted a reach code requiring a higher percentage of electric vehicle (EV) readiness in all new construction. These requirements went into effect on January 1, 2023.
CF 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
City staff promoted Peninsula Clean Energy’s incentives for electric vehicles. Some programs are ongoing including the PCE Used EV Rebate Program that offers rebates for San Mateo County residents for the purchase of a used EV. PCE also offers an EV rental discount for those interested in experiencing an EV.
CF 3 CLEAN CITY FLEET
City Hall: With the support of the Peninsula Clean Energy’s Public EV Fleets program, the City is working to install 12 Level 2 charging ports at City Hall. The City's design was reviewed and approved by PG&E. Through PG&E's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Rule 29 program, PG&E will install to-the-meter infrastructure at a nominal cost and the City is responsible for the behind- the-meter infrastructure, including the design, installation, and permitting of EV chargers. City staff plan to bid and complete project installation in 2025. This project is funded by PCE’s Member Agency Grant and PCE’s EV Ready Program.
Corporation Yard: In August 2024, staff initiated engagement with the PG&E EV Fleet Program to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers for fleet use at Corp Yard. Through the PG&E EV Fleet Program, PG&E designs and installs to-the-meter infrastructure at a nominal cost and provides the City with incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles for the City fleet. The City is responsible for the behind-the-meter infrastructure including the design, installation, and permitting of EV chargers. The project will result in the installation of 12 Level 2 charging ports to support the City's green fleet transition. City staff are currently waiting PG&E approval of the preliminary design. In addition, City Council approved the PG&E EV Fleet Program’s Terms and Conditions at the May 5, 2025 City Council meeting.
Police Department: Currently, the Police Department relies on two Level 1 outlets to support CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2025
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The City operates a fleet of 233 units, 34 units are CNG or electric.
City Fleet by Fuel Type
Fuel Type # of Units
Bi-fuel (CNG/Gas) 1
CNG 19
Electric 15
City fleet electric units include:
o4 Chevrolet Bolt passenger cars
o2 Ford Lightning trucks
o2 Ford E-Transit vans
o6 electric utility vehicles
o1 electric forklift
CF 4 CLEAN FUEL AND VEHICLE EMISSIONS
In 2022, the City implemented traffic signal optimizations on the Fashion Island Blvd corridor from Delaware Street to Norfolk Street, and on a short segment of Humboldt Street from 3 rd Avenue to 4 th Avenue. Traffic signal optimizations help reduce vehicle emissions related to vehicle idling.
The California Energy Commission 1 provides data on new zero-emission vehicle sales in San Mateo County. Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) includes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles.
Sale of Light-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles in San Mateo County Year Sale of Light-Duty
ZEV
Percent of Total
Light-Duty Sales
2024 13,167 25.3%
2023 16,403 32.38%
2022 14,624 34.45%
2021 7,005 17.32%
2020 5,489 12.23%
Source: California Energy Commission
1 California Energy Commission (2025). New ZEV Sales in California. Data last updated January 31, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025 from https://www.energy.ca.gov/zevstats.
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5 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
ST 1 BICYCLE MODE SHARE
The City was awarded $1.66M from the 2021 Regional ATP Cycle 5 to fund the design and construction of a Safe Routes to School corridor comprised of a new Class IV separated bike lane and bicycle boulevard on Delaware Street from 19th Avenue to Pacific Boulevard. The City will be sharing the proposed improvements with the community through two pop-up events in Spring 2025. The project is anticipated to be constructed in Summer 2025. The City received $153,000 in grant funding to design a new bike facility on 28 th Avenue from Edison Street to El Camino Real that will close a gap in the bicycle network and connect bicyclists to the Caltrain station at 28th Avenue. The project scope was extended to Kyne Street in January 2024 to design a fully connected bikeway on 28th Avenue. The City held a community meeting and an online survey in Fall/Winter 2023 to collect input on three proposed bikeway designs.
Additional outreach will be conducted in early 2025 to inform the preferred bikeway design. The City is constructing a bicycle boulevard on South Grant Street from Concar Drive to 16 th Avenue as part of a pavement management project. The bike facility is anticipated to be constructed in Spring 2025.
The City is working on a joint project with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to design a Class IV separated bikeway on 19 th Avenue and Fashion Island from Pacific Avenue to Mariners Island Boulevard. Community outreach was conducted to inform the preferred design alternative in Summer 2023 that consisted of pop-up stations, a community workshop, and an online survey. Feedback from the community is being incorporated into the final design and implementation strategy, which is anticipated to be completed in Summer/Fall 2026. The City received $900,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds and local funds to improve connectivity between the Third Avenue bicycle and pedestrian bridge through the Third Avenue and Norfolk Street intersection and to the San Mateo Creek trail just south of the Norfolk/3rd Avenue intersection. Following a community meeting in early January 2025, the project began construction of a new Class IV separated bike lane on Norfolk Street between Third Avenue and the Creek Trail in February 2025. This bike facility is identified in the adopted Bicycle Master Plan as a medium-high project. Signal operations changes, including new bike signals and right turn restriction signage to improve pedestrian safety, are anticipated to be installed by Fall 2025.
ST 2 PEDESTRIAN MODE SHARE
The City was awarded $390,720 from the San Mateo County Cycle 7 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program for designing pedestrian safety improvements on 31st Avenue near Hillsdale High School.
The project will advance recommended improvements from a walk audit conducted with the Hillsdale High School community into a construction-ready design. The design will include curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, and a new traffic signal at the Alameda de las Pulgas intersection to improve access to the high school and along the 31 st Avenue corridor, encourage active transportation, and reduce congestion. City staff will begin the process of procuring a consultant in summer 2025.
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5 The City is modifying the traffic signals at the Poplar Avenue and Humboldt Street intersection where there is a history of collisions involving pedestrians and left-turning vehicles. The project will improve pedestrian safety by restricting vehicle left turn movements except when a green left turn arrow is displayed, also called a protected left turn, improving street lighting, and providing leading pedestrian intervals which is when a pedestrian walk signal is displayed to give pedestrians a head start at crossing the street before vehicles are allowed to move. The project was identified as one of the top three priority intersections for safety improvements in the City’s 2024 Local Roadway Safey Plan and is expected to begin constructed in summer 2025. The City is designing a new traffic signal at the Hillsdale Boulevard and Alameda de las Pulgas intersection to improve safety for pedestrians accessing nearby schools and bicyclists using the existing Class II bike lanes on Hillsdale Boulevard. The project aims to improve how people travel through the intersection whether by walking, bicycling, and taking transit, and reduce congestion.
The design is expected to be completed in summer 2025 followed by construction. The City completed construction of pedestrian safety improvements in winter 2024 at three downtown public parking garages: Central Parking Garage, Main Street Parking Garage, and 2 nd and El Camino Real Parking Garage. The project made pedestrians and exiting vehicles more visible to each other where the garage entrance and exit driveways cross the sidewalk.
Improvements included protected walkways, wayfinding signage, audio and visual warning devices, and convex mirrors for better visibility around corners.
ST 3 MICROMOBILITY AND SHARED MOBILITY
The City updated its shared mobility permit program to allow shared mobility operators to submit applications on an on-going basis. No applications were received when the program was initially launched in 2019. The permit program continues to be available to interested parties. Staff continues to participate in a Shared Mobility Working Groups coordinated by San Mateo County and Caltrain to facilitate regional partnerships and share best practices as related to shared mobility.
ST 4 PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE
City staff are working with MTC on the development of a Regional Transit Priority Policy. The policy aims to improve coordination between the nine Bay Area regions and MTC to ensure complete streets improvements are included where feasible in roadway projects located on transit priority streets. The final policy is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. City staff are working with SamTrans on the grant-funded Central El Camino Real Plan. The plan will develop coordinated improvements along El Camino Real in the cities of San Mateo, Belmont, and San Carlos with the goal of improvement bus travel and ridership experience along the corridor. The project kicked off in January 2025 and aims to be completed in 2026 and will include opportunities for public input throughout the process.
The City was awarded $253,800 in grant funding in May 2024 to design a new pedestrian and bicycle entrance on the northeast side of the San Mateo Caltrain Station. This new entrance would connect to the northbound platform and will make accessing transit safer, easier, and faster for transit riders traveling from north of the station. The project will also improve the pedestrian environment on Cypress Avenue, making biking and walking to the new entrance more CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2025
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5 comfortable and encouraging active transportation to access transit. City staff will begin the process to procure a consultant in summer 2025.
ST 5 COMMUTER PROGRAMS
San Mateo County’s Transportation Demand Management Agency, Commute.org maintains a suite of programs aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled. Commute.org provides carpool incentives to employers and conducts outreach campaigns about available shuttle and vanpool options.
Commute.org has maintained shuttle services in San Mateo and pivoted to providing employer resources focused on telework. The City contributes funding to Commute.org shuttles including the Campus Drive and Norfolk shuttle routes.
ST 6 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The City was awarded grant funding to develop a citywide Transportation Demand Management ordinance. Focus group meetings with local developers and the Chamber of Commerce were held in February 2024 to review the draft TDM guidelines. City staff are incorporating the feedback into the draft TDM guidelines. The TDM ordinance is anticipated to be adopted in winter 2025.
ST 7 TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
Transit-Oriented Development projects approved in:
o2020: Kiku Crossing, Concar Passage, and 2600 S. Delaware Street (Bay Meadows Phase II, RES 6)
o2021: 1919 O’Farrell, 2600 S. Delaware Street (Bay Meadows Phase II, MU 2 and MU 3) o2022: 500 E. 3 rd Ave (Block 21 mixed-use development), 222 E. 4th Ave (Draeger’s Market), 401 Concar Dr (Hayward Park Caltrain Station parking lot) o2023: 435 E. 3rd Ave, 616 S. B St. (Nazareth Vista)
o2024: PA22-089 31-57 South B Street (1st & Beam)
Transit-Oriented Development projects that are currently under construction include 477 9 th Ave.
After the passage of Measure T, the City has received 7 large-scale multi-family residential and residential mixed-use projects, primarily in transit-oriented areas. The City was awarded Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Planning and Implementation Grants for technical assistance to develop local plans and policies consistent with the MTC TOC Policies for New Residential and Commercial Office Development Densities and Parking Management.
SOLID WASTE
SW 1 COMPOSTING PROGRAM
684 of the 757 multi-family dwellings with 5 units or more are participating in the organics collection program and 6 have been approved for an SB 1383 waiver. Compliance with SB 1383 composting regulations continues to grow compared to in 2023, 610 of 749 dwellings participated in organics collection. The Waste Zero team is working diligently to reach out to those accounts that remain non-compliant with Senate Bill 1383.
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5 Compost Diverted
Year Compost Diverted
(tons)
Total Diversion Rate
2024 21,254 49.31%
2023 20,984 48.82%
2022 19,004 47.67%
2021 18,699 47.35%
2020 18,573 47.77%
Source: Recology San Mateo County
SW 2 EXPANDED RECYCLING SERVICE
Recology’s Waste Zero team helps to educate the community of proper sorting by providing trainings, presentations on different platforms, as well as conducting site visits and handing out educational outreach materials such as posters and stickers.
SW 3 WASTE AWARENESS AND SOURCE REDUCTION
The City of San Mateo is partnering with OKAPI Reusables, thanks to leadership and funding from the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability. OKAPI is a simple borrow and return cup service featuring trendy insulated stainless steel cups for hot drinks and glass tumblers for iced drinks.
The program launched in December 2022.
The Team Up to Clean Up program continues to unite San Mateo residents and neighborhoods in the shared goal of preserving our waterways. In 2024 our annual Bayfront cleanup mobilized 537 volunteers, who collectively removed approximately 27 cubic yards of litter from the bay. In addition to our annual event, our staff organize monthly cleanups in various locations throughout San Mateo. In 2024, these efforts included 906 community member volunteers and resulted in
57.1 cubic yards of waste collected. These cleanups are crucial in maintaining the cleanliness and environmental health of our community.
Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance
The City Council adopted the “Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance” modeled after the County of San Mateo’s ordinance. The ordinance requires food facilities distribute disposable items that are fiber-based and compostable. The ordinance went into effect in October 2022. The San Mateo County Sustainability Department continues to engage and educate food facilities in San Mateo on the Disposable Food Ware Ordinance requirements. In 2023, the team notified all 657 facilities of the requirements and had direct one-on-one contact with 67% of those facilities. The SMC Sustainability Department provided funding to 13 food facilities for the purchase of compostable single-use foodware and provided funding to 28 food facilities for reusable foodware in San Mateo.
The Ordinance is enforced through complaints. The SMC Sustainability Department logs all complaints and follows up by emailing the food facility. The email explains the nature of the complaint and introduces the consultant team. The consultant team contacts the food facility to ensure they understand the Ordinance requirements and offer assistance if needed. The team will email the food facility three times and then attempt an on-site visit. If contact cannot be made, CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2025
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5 the County will try to reach the food facility. A complaint is considered "resolved" when the County confirms the food facility's understanding of the Ordinance and necessary changes for compliance. Inspections are not part of the complaint process. The SMC Sustainability Department received 23 complaints for food facilities in the City of San Mateo. There were 2 pending complaints and 21 resolved complaints at the time of County’s 2024 report.
WATER AND WASTEWATER
WW 1 WATER EFFICIENCY RETROFITS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
Cal Water provides rebates for high-efficiency toilets and high-efficiency clothes washers for residents. Cal Water provides rebates for high-efficiency toilets and high-efficiency urinals, for commercial customers.
Cal Water Rebates for Washers and Toilets in Mid-Peninsula* High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebates High-Efficiency
Toilet
Year Residential Multifamily Residential
2024 84 1 6
2023 153 9 21
2022 214 2 33
2021 214 9 25
2020 162 8 21
Source: Cal Water, *Cal Water does not provide data on city-level and thus Mid-Peninsula data is provided; Mid-Peninsula includes San Carlos, San Mateo and adjacent unincorporated areas
WW 2 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
Rain Barrels
The City of San Mateo continues to provide matching funds for rain barrel rebates for residents.
Data in this table reflects the number of rain barrels distributed, residents can receive a maximum of two rebates per household.
Rain Barrel Rebates
Year
Number of Rain
Barrel Rebates
Distributed
2024 37
2023 68
2022 82
2021 37
2020 8
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5 Cal Water Rebates
Cal Water provides Smart Landscape Tune-Up Direct Installation Program Evaluations. Through this program irrigation system efficiency evaluations were conducted by professional landscape contractors to customers. Irrigation system improvements included leak repairs and installation of a smart irrigation controller and/or high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles. The Program is available at no charge to customers.
Cal Water provide rebates for weather-based irrigation controllers were offered as part of Cal Water's standard rebate program portfolio and as a direct installation through the Smart Landscape Tune-Up Program.
Through Cal Water’s Spray-to-Drip Rebate Program, eligible participants received a rebate of $0.50 for every square foot of landscape area converted from a standard spray irrigation system to a drip irrigation system. The program requires a minimum of 250 square feet to be converted to a drip system. Drip irrigation uses 20-50% less water than spray irrigation and delivers water directly to the root zone of plants.
Through the “Lawn-to-garden” (turf replacement) rebate program, Cal Water incentivized customers to replace their lawn with drought-tolerant and water-wise landscaping with a rebate of up to $3 and $5 per square foot for residential and commercial customers, respectively. Cal Water provides rebates for smart irrigation controllers and high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles for residential customers.
Cal Water Rebates for Landscaping in Mid-Peninsula*
Spray-to Drip Rebate (Sq. Ft.) Lawn-to Garden Turf (Sq. Ft.) Year Residential Commercial Residential Commercial
2024 682 0 11,206 0
2023 7,110 41,210 14,600 1,210
2022 14,046 8,726 19,658 0
2021 0 0 1,400 0
Source: Cal Water;*Cal Water does not provide data on city-level and thus Mid-Peninsula data is provided; Mid-Peninsula includes San Carlos, San Mateo and adjacent unincorporated areas
City Operations
In 2023, Parks updated 21 irrigation controllers to improve communication and operations of the central irrigation control system. Parks is in the process of replacing 20 more outdated irrigation controllers.
In 2023, Parks made landscape improvements at the entrance to Ryder Park to reduce water use by improving irrigation, installing drought tolerant plants and adding mulch for conservation of moisture. In 2022, Parks made similar landscape improvements at Beresford Park along Alameda de las Pulgas and at the Senior Center.
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5 WW 3 WATER EFFICIENCY IN NEW CONSTRUCTION
City staff ensure compliance with the State of California’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that applies to all new construction projects with landscape area greater than 500 square feet. This ordinance was created to reduce water usage and ensure landscapes are constructed to allow for the efficient use of water.
OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT
OR 1 ALTERNATIVE FUEL LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT
In October 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1346 that requires most newly manufactured small off-road engines (SORE) such as those found in leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other equipment be zero emission starting in 2024. Californians can continue to operate their current CARB-compliant gasoline-powered SORE equipment; there will be no “ban” on using older models or used equipment purchased in the future. Older models on store shelves can also be purchased even if they are gasoline-powered. At the February 22, 2025 Blue Sky Goal Setting workshop, the San Mateo City Council identified the development of an ordinance to prohibit gas leaf blower use as a Council priority. The City launched an electric leaf blower equipment rebate in July 2021. Landscaping businesses can receive a rebate of up to 75% of the purchase price of an electric leaf blower, maximum $500 rebate. Residents can receive a rebate of up to 50% of the purchase price of an electric leaf blower, maximum $100 rebate.
Electric Leaf Blower Rebates
Year Rebates Distributed
to Businesses
Rebates Distributed
to Residents
2024 8 38
2023 4 10
2022 5 9
2021 3 22
City Operations
Staff use a variety of electric equipment (backpack leaf blowers, handheld leaf blowers, chainsaws, and multi-tools) to use at City parks and during Spare the Air days. The Parks team developed a transition plan for replacing gas equipment with electric equipment. In 2023, an electrical upgrade was completed at the Park Yard for equipment charging. Additionally, a Multihog Compact Sweeper was purchased to reduce the need for blower cleanup work of parking lots and some pathways.
The City owns a total of 26 gas-powered blowers. In 2024, staff identified grant funding for the purchase of electric leaf blowers to replace gas-powered leaf blowers.