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TRANSLATE

Using Translation

The County of San Mateo has added a translation feature developed by Google Translate to assist web visitors in understanding information on this website in a variety of foreign languages. Please be aware that Google Translate, a free third party service which the County does not control, provides automated computer translations that may not give you an exact translation. The County cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through Google Translate so translations should not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide. Anyone relying on information obtained from Google Translate does so at his or her own risk. The County disclaims and will not accept any liability for damages or losses of any kind caused by the use of the Google Translate feature.

San Mateo County government center buildings and courtyard
POLICY AND PLANNING
Solving for tomorrow.

Policy and Planning

The Sustainability Department has been involved in advancing policies, ordinances, declarations, and plans that ensure a sustainable future for San Mateo County. In partnership with community members, non-profits and community organizations, the Board of Supervisors, other County departments, and jurisdictions and special districts in the county, we have worked to develop and implement measures that address climate change mitigation and adaptation, conserve resources, reduce waste, and ensure thriving, resilient communities for all.

Featured Policies and Plans

young girls running on the beach benefit from climate action planning

Community Climate Action Plan

Adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2022, the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) outlines priority actions to achieve a 45% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality within unincorporated San Mateo County by 2040.

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workers in lift outside building using green building practices

Municipal Green Building Policy

The Board of Supervisors is committed to environmental, economic, and social stewardship through sustainable building practices for County buildings. Enacted in 2001 and updated in 2014, this policy elevates the County’s standards for sustainable building practices beyond LEED® Certification. Specifically, the policy establishes ambitious energy efficiency targets and sets out to achieve Zero Net Energy for new building construction in order to advance the County’s sustainability goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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sustainable food service ware

Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance

The County of San Mateo’s (County) Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance (Ordinance) was adopted by the County’s Board of Supervisors on February 25, 2020. This new law regulates and reduces disposable food service ware made of plastic and other foodware waste. The new regulations apply to food service businesses that operate in unincorporated areas of the county and in cities that adopt the County’s Ordinance as a model ordinance.

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Key definitions:

  • Ordinance

    An ordinance is a piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.

  • Policy

    A government policy is a set of principles, values, and intentions that guide a government’s actions on a specific issue.

  • Administrative Memo

    Administrative memos provide guidelines for the development and management of the County’s written policies and procedures.

  • Plan

    A plan of action is a set of steps that outline how to achieve a goal or objective.

Get Involved

Help us build innovative solutions that address today’s changing environment while solving for a sustainable future.