CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
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2026
BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION
BE 1 ALL-ELECTRIC NEW CONSTRUCTION
Encouraging Building Electrification Reach Codes for New Construction 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an Energy Performance Reach Code for new construction that requires energy compliance margins for new buildings and repealed the unenforceable all-electric requirement.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 effective through December 31, 2025. oIn 2025, staff estimate 11 new construction projects were impacted by the Energy Performance Reach Code.
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). Previous reach codes required or encouraged all-electric new construction. The table below summarizes the estimated number of new construction all-electric projects impacted by the City’s previously adopted reach codes.
All-electric new construction permits issued
Single
Family
Home
Duplex ADU Multifamily Commercial
2024 Reach codes were paused and difficult to quantify for 2024. 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
On July 28, 2025, the City Council adopted the "Electrify San Mateo: Sustainable Building Strategy," a strategy to upgrade existing buildings from methane gas to carbon-free electricity.
Upgrading the buildings where residents live, work, and play to be all-electric is a crucial step in the City’s work to reach its climate goals, comply with future regional air quality regulations, and CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
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5 provide healthy air and living spaces for all San Mateans. The Sustainable Building Strategy directs the City to continue outreach and engagement to connect property owners with rebates and resources and development of new construction reach codes; develop an electric-first policy for municipal facilities; conduct additional outreach and data analysis for reach codes in existing buildings; and conduct additional outreach and data analysis for building performance standards for commercial buildings.
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. 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. In 2025, 33 residents borrowed the induction cooktop kits.
Building Electrification Reach Codes for Existing Buildings In Summer and Fall 2025, staff conducted additional data analysis and community engagement outreach for existing building reach codes. Data and community feedback was presented to City Council in November 2025. The City Council provided direction on reach codes for the 2025 code cycle (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028). On March 16, 2026, City Council adopted a reach codes ordinance, and these reach codes need to be approved by the California Building Commission and California Energy Commission prior to enforcement. The reach codes impacting cooling upgrades and planned home renovations are as follows:
oCooling upgrades in single family homes, townhomes and duplexes and nonresidential buildings: requires installation of heat pump or AC system with energy efficiency measures that exceed State Code
oFlexPath Reach Code, renovations of 1,000 square feet or more in single family homes, townhomes, duplexes: project applicants choose from a menu of energy efficiency, electrification and electric- readiness measures to meet a target score of 12 points oElectric-readiness during specific additions and alternations in single family homes:
focused on pre-wiring for gas cooking, water heating, clothes drying and outdoor appliances
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 CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
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5 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
2025 39 184 96
2024 37 200 79
2023 37 161 97
2022 6 3 28
2021 4 - 24
Source: Peninsula Clean Energy
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 2025, 76 households participated in the program, 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 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
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5 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)
2025 425,209,435 391,898,769 56,704*
2024 430,603,117 400,543,366 57,424*
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
*Estimated 2025 GHG emissions avoided is calculated based on 2024 emissions factor. 2024 emissions are updated with 2024 emissions factor which was not available at the time of last year’s report. 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.
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
2025 485 407
2024 315 88
2023 460 65
2022 384 115
2021 416 92
2020 248 87
*Note: some solar permits may be double counted if both solar and battery storage permits were issued under a single permit
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5 RE 3 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR NEW AND EXISTING NONRESIDENTIAL
BUILDINGS
Solar Permits for Nonresidential Buildings
Year # of Solar Permits
Issued Total kW
2025 9 1284
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
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.
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5 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 20 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
The Marina Library Restoration Project includes new energy efficient lighting, and heat pump HVAC and water heater. The project is currently underway.
ME 2 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT EXISTING MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
In 2025, the City completed roof replacement projects at the Police Department and Central Park Recreation Center, incorporating high performance insulation. In 2025, the City completed the Poplar Creek Tenant Improvement project that includes water efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors. In 2025, the City completed Phase 1 Immediate Pool Improvements to the Joinville and Dr.
Martin Luther King Swim Centers that includes energy efficient mechanical equipment. In 2025, the City completed the Data Management Office Tenant Improvement project that includes the installation of resilient materials, water efficient plumbing fixtures and low voltage lighting with automatic timers and vacancy sensors.
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.
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 CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
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5 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
Through the adoption of the Sustainable Building Strategy in July 2025, City Council directed staff to develop an electric first policy for municipal facilities with exceptions for public safety and life cycle costs. Staff plan to update an existing policy to incorporate this direction. In 2025, the City completed the Citywide Facilities Condition Assessment that includes a comprehensive evaluation of building systems, energy performance, deferred maintenance needs, and opportunities for electrification, resilience upgrades, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction across all municipal facilities. This analysis helps staff plan and identify funding sources for electric equipment upgrades.
In 2025, through a partnership with Peninsula Clean Energy, the solar carports installed at the parking lot adjacent to the Community Garden Beresford Park. The City entered a Power Purchase Agreement (also known as a PPA) with PCE. Through this PPA, the City did not pay anything for the installation of the solar carports and PCE and McMillan are responsible for the long-term system maintenance. The system is 79.2 kWdc and anticipated to produce ~120,000 kWh in the first year. The system will offset 100% of the Rec Center's historical annual energy usage. The savings to the City over the term of the PPA is estimated to be ~$450k with savings beginning in year 1. These savings occur because the PPA rate is less than the current cost of grid energy and is a fixed rate (ie. it never increases) which locks the City into a cost-saving electricity rate. Staff are coordinating with PCE and PG&E staff to complete the energization of the system. 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.
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 CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
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5 PV, in compliance with the City’s reach code requirements.
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5 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. 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 329 charging ports that are publicly available in the city, not counting the ports at City-owned facilities; this includes 159 DCFC charging ports and 170 Level 2 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 were effect on January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025.
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 Fleet
In 2025, the City procured one electric Ford Lightning and one electric motorcycle. In 2024, the City procured two electric vans, and four electric and two electric. Not included in the summary below, in 2026, the City procured an electric irrigation truck and an electric street sweeper is scheduled for delivery.
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5 The City operates a fleet of 234 units, 36 units are CNG or electric.
City Fleet by Fuel Type
Fuel Type # of Units
Bi-fuel (CNG/Gas) 1
CNG 19
Electric 17
City fleet electric units include:
o4 Chevrolet Bolt passenger cars
o3 Ford Lightning trucks
o2 Ford E-Transit vans
o6 electric utility vehicles
o1 electric forklift
o1 electric motorcycle
City Fleet EV Infrastructure
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. 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 are exploring revising the design to allow for public access to the EV chargers outside of business hours which would require two ADA compliant EV spaces. A consultant is providing technical support to evaluate the City’s options and provide cost estimates. 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. In 2025, staff contracted with a technical consultant to develop the final design package for the behind-the-meter work. In April 2026, 100% construction drawings were completed and a permit was issued for the project. Staff estimates bidding and construction of the project in 2026.
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.
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5 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
2025 13,438 22.9%
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
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 19 th Avenue to Pacific Boulevard. The City completed outreach and the design phase in summer 2025. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and be completed by late 2026.
The City received $280,000 in grant funding from an SMCTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant to design a new one-way 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 28 th Avenue. This project will improve connectivity to the Hillsdale Caltrain Station and east/west. The project is currently paused at 35% design due to staff resources and is expected to begin back Spring 2026.
In Fall 2025, the City completed construction Class II buffered bike lanes on Campus Drive from Hillsdale Boulevard to 26 th Avenue and on South B Street from 9 th to 16 th Avenue as part of a pavement management project.
In May 2025, the City completed construction of a bicycle boulevard on South Grant Street from Concar Drive to 16th Avenue as part of a pavement management project. In December 2025, the City completed construction of a bicycle boulevard on Highland Avenue from Peninsula to East Poplar Avenue as part of a pavement management project. A pavement management project began in fall 2025 and is expected to be completed in late spring 2026 that will install new Class II Bike Lanes on 5 th Avenue from El Camino Real to Ellsworth Avenue and South Claremont Street to South Delaware Street. Class II bike lanes on Laurel Avenue from 7th to 9th Avenue, 9th Avenue from South Humboldt Street to S Amphlett Boulevard, Norfolk Street from Darwin Avenue to Roberta Drive, and Bridgepoint Parkway from Bridgepoint Circle to 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 Bridgepoint Circle will be improved as part of the existing network. A Class II buffered bike lane will be installed on Delaware Street from Birch Avenue to Sunnybrae Boulevard. A shared use path will be installed on Peninsula Avenue from Bayshore Boulevard to Airport Boulevard. A Class II bike lane will be installed in Fall 2026 on West 3 rd Avenue from Dartmouth Road to El Camino Real as part of a pavement management project.
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 in July, November, and April 2026 and included both in-person and online formats. The City received a $1.4 million grant from a SMCTA bicycle and pedestrian grant for design and $26 million from a variety of grants for the construction phase. The design phase is expected to be completed in Fall 2026 and construction expected in Summer 2027.
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, were installed with construction ending in Spring 2026.
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 spring 2026.
The City modified 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 improved pedestrian safety by restricting vehicle left turn movements except when a green left turn arrow is displayed, also called a protected left turn, improved street lighting, and provided 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 completed construction in fall 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 CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
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5 through the intersection whether by walking, bicycling, and taking transit, and reduce congestion.
The design is complete and construction is expected in summer 2026.
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5 The City is modifying the traffic signal at the Peninsula Avenue and Delaware Avenue intersection to improve safety for pedestrians. This project was identified in the 2024 Local Roadway Safety Plan as High Priority Project #7 and is currently at 50% design with construction expected to start in late 2026. This project will install high visibility crosswalks, flashing beacons for advance warning, study lighting levels, improve signal hardware, provide a protected left turn phase, and implement a leading pedestrian interval.
The City is enhancing roadway safety at the intersections at El Camino Real and 22 nd Avenue, El Camino Real and 27 th Avenue, Humboldt Street and Indian Avenue, Humboldt Street and Tilton Ave, Humboldt Street and Santa Inez Ave, Hillsdale Boulevard and Franklin Parkway, and Hillsdale Boulevard and Norfolk Street. The City was awarded $959,000 from the One Bay Area Grant to design and construct measures including painted safety zones, improved lighting, raised crosswalks, upgraded signage, enhanced signal hardware, flashing beacons, and high visibility crosswalks at four tier one priority intersections identified in the 2024 Local Roadway Safety Plan. The City completed walking and biking enhancements including pedestrian scramble, that allows pedestrians to cross in all directions at the intersections, landscaping, seating, bicycle, pedestrian, and ADA improvements at the downtown pedestrian mall on B Street from 1st to 3rd Avenue. 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. In January 2026, MTC adopted the Transit Priority Policy for Roadways (MTC Resolution No. 4739).
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 has advanced into the Project Initiation Document (PID) phase, which will define purpose and need, scope, alternatives, cost, and schedule for the corridor. Corridor wide outreach is planned for Summer 2026.
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5 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 comfortable and encouraging active transportation to access transit. City staff kicked off the project in May of 2025. The project is currently in design and is estimated to be completed at the end of 2026.
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 Hillsdale Caltrain Commuter Shuttle that provides shuttles to the east side of San Mateo.
ST 6 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The City was awarded grant funding to develop a citywide Transportation Demand Management (TDM) 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 currently incorporating feedback received from the community and aligning the guidelines with recent C/CAG policies for consistency. The updated TDM guidelines are expected to be completed in summer 2026.
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: 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. and 435 E. 3rd Ave
After the passage of Measure T, the City has received 22 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.
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5 SOLID WASTE
SW 1 COMPOSTING PROGRAM
In 2025, 739 of 753 multi-family dwellings with 5 units or more are participating in the organics collection program. In 2024, 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.
Compost Diverted
Year Compost Diverted
(tons)
Total Diversion Rate
2025 20,129 48.17%
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 2025, for the Earth Day and Coastal Cleanup Day, the City hosted 1,089 volunteers and collected 32 cubic yards of trash along 2.5 miles of shoreline.
Two electronic collection events were held in 2025, collecting 16,185 lbs of E-Waste from 650 participants. Team Up To Clean Up (TUTCU) events in 2025 – 1,446 community members volunteered and picked up 54.5 cubic yards of waste (this includes the numbers from Earth Day and Coastal Clean Up)
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.
CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
15 6
3 7
5 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, 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
2025 66 0 16
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 CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
16 6
3 7
5 maximum of two rebates per household.
Rain Barrel Rebates
Year
Number of Rain
Barrel Rebates
Distributed
2025 21
2024 37
2023 68
2022 82
2021 37
2020 8
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*
Lawn-to Garden Turf (Sq. Ft.)
Year Residential Commercial
2025 12,049 29,600
2024 11,206 0
2023 14,600 1,210
2022 19,658 0
2021 1,400 0
CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
17 6
3 7
5 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.
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 March 16, 2026 City Council meeting, the City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use of gas leaf blowers effective January 1, 2027. Staff are focused on educating the community and landscaping businesses about this upcoming regulation. 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
2025 3 56
2024 8 38
2023 4 10
CAP PROGRESS REPORT - 2026
18 6
3 7
5 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.
In 2025, the City transitioned operations to electric leaf blower use.