A special district is an agency of the State formed under general law or a special legislative act to provide governmental services such as sewer, water, fire protection, recreation, healthcare, police protection, mosquito and vector control, and other services. There are three main types of special districts:
- County-governed special districts are governed by the Board of Supervisors and are operated by the County of San Mateo.
- Independent special districts have locally elected board members and their own employees.
- Subsidiary special districts are governed by their respective city councils.
Select service type below to find district profile.
Community Services Districts
Community Services Districts are a form of independent local government used to provide services to unicorporated areas of a county.
Granada Community Services District
County Service Areas
County Service Areas (CSAs) are entities that provide governmental services by counties within unincorporated areas. It allows for for communities to fund a service by charging a direct assessment or property-related fee for services such as water and/or sewer service, road and/or drainage maintenance, street lighting, fire protection and/or landscaping.
The County Board of Supervisors acts as the governing body for the County Service Areas.
County Service Area No. 1 (Highlands)
County Service Area No. 6 (Princeton-by-the-Sea)
County Service Area No. 7 (Sam McDonald Park)
County Service Area No. 8 (North Fair Oaks)
County Service Area No. 10 (Montara Parks)
Drainage Districts
Drainage Districts are local bodies formed for the purpose of draining, ditching and improving land for agriculture and sanitary purposes.
Atherton Channel Drainage District
Baywood Park Drainage Maintenance District
Campo-Bello University Park Drainage District
Enchanted Hills Drainage Maintenance District
Highlands Drainage Maintenance District
Fire Protection Districts
Fire Protection Districts provide fire protection and emergency medical services to the residents of the District.
Belmont Fire Protection District
Coastside Fire Protection District
Colma Fire Protection District
Health Care Districts
Health Care Districts establish, maintain, and operate, or provide assistance in the operation of, one or more health facilities or health services.
Maintenance Districts
Maintenance Districts are assessment districts created by a county board of supervisors or a city council for the landscape, storm drain and road improvements, and other improvements.
Lighting Districts
A Street Lighting District is created by a local government agency to pay the costs associated with lighting on and around public streets, highways, parks and alleys.
Bel-Aire Lighting Maintenance District
Belmont Highway Lighting District
Colma Highway Lighting District
Emerald Lake Heights Highway Lighting District
Enchanted Hills Lighting Maintenance District
Granada Highway Lighting District
La Honda Lighting Maintenance District
Menlo Park Highway Lighting District
Municipal Improvement Districts
Municipal Improvement Districts provide municipal services such as police fire, water, and sewer to incorporated cities.
Sewer and Sanitary Districts
Sewer and Sanitary Districts maintain and operate garbage collection and disposal systems, sewers, storm water drains and storm water collection, recycling and distribution systems.
Burlingame Hills Sewer Maintenance District
Crystal Springs County Sanitation District
Devonshire County Sanitation District
East Palo Alto Sanitary District
Edgewood Sewer Maintenance District
Emerald Lake Heights Sewer Maintenance District
Fair Oaks Sewer Maintenance District
Harbor Industrial Sewer Maintenance District
Kensington Square Sewer Maintenance District
North San Mateo County Sanitation District
Oak Knoll Sewer Maintenance District
Water Districts
Water Districts develop regulations for the distribution and consumption of water; sell water; collect and dispose sewage, garbage, waste, trash and storm water; store water for future needs.
Montara Water and Sanitary District
Miscellaneous
Harbor Districts build, operate, and maintain harbor and marina facilities.
San Mateo County Harbor District
Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control Districts conduct effective programs for the surveillance, prevention, abatement and control of mosquitos and other vectors.
San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District
Police Protection Districts provide police service to a community.
Broadmoor Police Protection District
Regional Park, Park and Open-Space, and Open-Space Districts acquisition of open space land; protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural resources; planning for and management of land for low-intensity recreational use by the public.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Resource Conservation Districts manage a diversity of resource conservation projects, including soil and water conservation projects, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration, control of exotic plant species, watershed restoration, conservation planning, education, and many others.