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Health & Fitness

Ross Valley Seniors, Building Permits, and Downtown Parking

Read more about Ross Valley seniors, building permits, and downtown parking.

Ross Valley Seniors

Join the Resourceful Vibrant Seniors (RVS)! Meet new people and socialize, learn new things, enjoy meals together and physical activities and games. First time guests are welcome to attend a meeting for a $7 drop-in fee or seniors may join the RVS for only $25 per year or $7 per meeting drop-in fee.

The activity schedule is as follows:

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  • 11:00 – 12 noon Social, walk, bocce ball (when at Fairfax Women’s Club) or board/card games.
  • 12 noon–12:45 p.m. Lunch – Be sure to RSVP @ 258-4669 so we’ll be able to plan for lunch.
  • 12:45 – 2:00 p.m. Speaker/Activity

Date Activities (12:45 start unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, June 6 Summer BBQ at Peri Park in Fairfax (next to the Women’s Club building). Enjoy bocce ball and horseshoes plus team trivia after lunch.
Thursday, July 4 No meeting this month – Happy Independence Day!

Thursday, August 1 Location: San Anselmo Inn, 339 San Anselmo Avenue.  Meet at 11:30 a.m., $5 per person. Bob Davidson will present LifeSupportM.org and will discuss what they do.  “Through heart and hands, we help young people learn life skills to last a lifetime with mentorships, internships, community service and house building missions.”

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The Ross Valley Seniors Steering Committee/Board Meeting is the third Monday of every month at 4:30 p.m. at the Bennett House, 53 Taylor Drive in Fairfax.  This group plans RVS events and activities.  All interested community members and seniors are welcome!

For more information, contact Dana Gibson at dgibson@townofsananselmo.org or 258-4669.

Building Permits

The Building Department is often asked when a building permit is required and when it is not required. According to California construction codes, a permit is required for all construction and demolition that is not listed in the following section:

• One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet. (A building permit and planning review is required if the structure exceeds 120 square feet and/or 8 feet in height (to the top of the roof) and/or if the lot coverage exceeds 35%.)

• A fence 6 feet or less in height that is on the side or rear yard of the house.  (Fences or structures that exceed 3’ in height and are within 20’ of the front property line require a fence permit from the Public Works Department.)

• Retaining walls supporting only level dirt and not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.

• Painting, papering and similar finish work unless it is part of a project that requires a permit.

• A window awning supported by an exterior wall of a single-family residence or garage that does not project more than 54 inches.

• Stopping of leaks or clearing of stoppages in plumbing drain pipes, water pipes, or fixtures as long as valves, pipes, or fixtures are not replaced.  Valves, pipes, and/or fixtures may be removed and reinstalled but not replaced without a permit.

• Replacement of electrical receptacles, switches, circuit breakers, or fixtures as long as no wiring is changed or moved.

• Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high in a commercial building.

For more information, contact Keith Angerman at 258-4604.

Downtown Parking

Residents and shoppers often comment on the difficulty of parking in downtown San Anselmo.  While a parking problem can be a sign of a busy, thriving shopping area, it is also an annoyance and may discourage shoppers.

As a reminder, two of our Town parking lots are very convenient to downtown San Anselmo, but off the beaten track.  Both the Creek Park parking lot and the Magnolia parking lot often have available parking spaces, even during the busy lunch hour. 

Next time you are looking for a parking spot, try turning down Magnolia Avenue to the Magnolia lot, or go to the corner of Bank Street and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to enter the Creek Park lot.  Both lots have parking meters.  The Magnolia meters and the Creek Park meters are for four hours to allow for more shopping time.


San Anselmo News, published weekly on Fridays, is available at the San Anselmo Town Hall, Library, on the Public Notice Bulletin Board. It is also available on the Town’s website, www.townofsananselmo.org, and by email subscription.

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