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1. Who is the Chief Administrator for the City of Gilroy?

The Chief Administrator is the Chief Executive Officer and head of the administrative branch of the city government. The chief is appointed by and responsible to the City Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the city. They also ensure that the laws of the state pertaining to the city, the provisions of City Charter and the ordinances of the city are enforced.

The Chief Administrator is empowered and required to take a continuing interest in the effectiveness and economy of all administrative arrangements. One responsibility is forming a cohesive basis of employees from which city policies, procedures, rules and regulations are both promulgated and followed. If you have questions, please email the Chief Administrator.

2. What are the primary roles of the City Administrator?

The primary roles of the City Administrator are:

• Attend meetings of the City Council and participate in the council’s deliberations, but not vote
• Charged with the formation of the council’s legislative agenda and working with the Mayor and Council Members to identify and address issues of community-wide concern
• Gilroy’s Director of Emergency Services, coordinating the readiness of the city to respond to natural and man-made disasters
• Oversee City departments: Police, Fire, Community Development, Community Services, Finance, and Administration
• Oversee the city’s $120 million budget and development of the annual financial statement audit

If you have any questions, please email the City Administrator.

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1. Where can I receive copies of vital records, such as birth or death certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decree?

Copies may be obtained from the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office located at:

70 W Hedding St.
East Wing, 1st Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-5688

Email: clerkrecorder@rec.sccgov.org

2. I would like to request public records from the City. How do I go about in requesting one?

Please refer to Request for Public Records page.

3. How and where do I register to vote?

Information on voter registration may be found through the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters' office. The phone number is (866) 430-VOTE (8683), or you may visit their website.

Email: registrar@rov.sccgov.org

If you have changed your residence, or your name since you last registered, or you wish to change your party affiliation, you will need to re-register to vote.

4. Does City Hall provide U.S. passport services?

City Hall does not offer passport services. The US Post Services in Gilroy located at 100 4th St. provides US passport services. Their phone number is (408) 842-1354 .

5. When is my next court date?

The City of Gilroy City Clerk's Office does not handle any scheduled court dates for the Superior Court of California Santa Clara County. The court has multiple locations and numbers throughout the county. Please click here for a list of the court's telephone numbers. Please click here for a list of locations and contact information.

6. How do I retrieve information about a lien on my property?

If there is a lien on your property due to a weed abatement, please contact Gilroy's Fire Prevention at (408) 846-0451. For all other matters, please contact the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office for further assistance.

7. What items are not covered by the Public Records Act?

• Records requests for birth, death, marriage, real estate, UCC Financing Statements, fictitious business names and military discharge
• Records requests for election information including but not limited to voter registration information, voter turnout, election statistics/reports, precinct maps, etc.
• Divorce records
• Housing and commercial building blueprints
• Elementary, high school and college transcripts

8. Do you you provide Notary for the Public?

No. We do not provide notary to the public.

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1. The street tree in front of my house has damaged the sidewalk. Who should I call?

The property owner is responsible for repair of damaged sidewalks. The city’s engineering department manages a 50/50 reimbursement program. The city will reimburse the property owner for 50% of the cost of replacing sidewalks, subject to available funding. Contact the Engineering Department at 846-0223 to request information on the 50/50 program. At the time of the repair, you can have roots pruned and/or install root barriers to minimize future damage. If the tree meets the requirements for tree removal, you may request to remove the tree and plant a new tree.

2. It’s the city’s street tree that caused the damage, why doesn’t the city repair the sidewalk or pay the full amount of the repair cost?

The California Streets and Highway code specifies that the adjacent property owners are responsible for maintenance and repair of sidewalks, curbs, gutters within the public Right of Way. The city recognizes the burden that this places on the property owner and developed the 50/50 program to help offset some of those costs.

3. What can I do to about tree roots in my sewer or water line?

Tree roots are opportunistic. While they will not crack a sound sewer service or water line, they will exploit cracks or failures in the lines. The best defense against having tree roots in lines is to make sure that your lines are in good condition and that they're not cracked. Property owners are responsible for the water and sewer lines from the curb to the house. If your problem with tree roots is in this area, you will need to contact a plumber to help you with the work. If you suspect that tree roots are growing into your sewer line, you can have the roots cut out using a process called "rodding". You can also flush Copper Sulfate down the toilet 2 to 3 times per year to prevent roots from growing into sewer lines. Copper Sulfate is an inexpensive chemical that can be purchased at most hardware stores. Urban Forestry will not remove a tree solely because of roots in lines.

4. Tree roots have pushed up the sidewalk. Will you cut down the tree?

Urban Forestry will not remove a tree solely because of sidewalk failure. Please contact Engineering Department for information on the city’s 50/50 reimbursement program for sidewalk repair.

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1. What is the File of L.I.F.E.?

The  File of L.I.F.E. is Lifesaving Information For Emergencies. The File of L.I.F.E. kit is a small magnetic pouch that holds your vital medical information  that can be placed on the outside of your refrigerator. This enables emergency medical personnel to quickly locate helpful information regarding your medical history in a time of crisis. It is very important that you keep this information up to date, accurate, and placed prominently on your your refrigerator.

2. Who should use the File of L.I.F.E.?

The File of L.I.F.E is designed for people with special medical conditions such as, heart conditions, prior stroke, seizures, and respiratory conditions. This is also for people who may have a serious allergy to any medications or have any other life threatening allergies. In an emergency every minute counts. Allergies, medications and medical conditions can all have deadly consequences.

3. How do I use the File of L.I.F.E.?

The form has three sections: Basic information, Medical History and List of Medications. Complete the form as much as you can, so in case of an emergency, the Fire Department can assist you better. The form also has more detailed instructions. Make sure you read and complete the form thoroughly.

Find out how!

4. Why should I use the File of L.I.F.E.?

The File of L.I.F.E. program enables emergency responders, such as firefighters, paramedics, etc. to respond quickly to an emergency situation by accessing your medical history. Emergency personnel will know to look for the File of L.I.F.E. on your refrigerator to help them access this life saving information in an emergency situation. If you are unconscious or unavailable to provide this important information to emergency personnel, the File of L.I.F.E. will give this information for you. The File of L.I.F.E. can save lives.

5. Where do I get the File of L.I.F.E.?

You can obtain the File of L.I.F.E. from one of Gilroy’s fire stations.

Gilroy Fire Stations

6. Where are the fire stations located in Gilroy?

The Las Animas Station is located at 8383 Wren Avenue on the corner of Wren and Welburn. The Chestnut station is located at 7070 Chestnut St. at the corner of  9th and Chestnut. The Sunrise station is located at 880 Sunrise Drive. 

7. How do I get a File of L.I.F.E. if I am not ambulatory?

If you are unable to pick up a File of L.I.F.E. from your local fire station, then you can send a family member or friend on your behalf to pick one up for you. If you do not know anyone that can pick up a File of L.I.F.E. for you, please call 408-846-0370 so that we can assist you.

8. How do I get more information about the File of L.I.F.E.?

If you have any other questions you can contact us at 408-846-0370.

9. Where can I get another File of L.I.F.E. form?

You can download a form online (PDF) or you may come and pick up an additional form at one of the Gilroy fire stations.

10. Should I include a sample of medication in my File of L.I.F.E.?

Please do not include a sample of the medication you are taking in your File of L.I.F.E. On the form, please list the medications you are taking, as well as the dosage and how often you take your medicine. This is the kind of information that is helpful to emergency responders.

11. Why do I need to fill out my File of L.I.F.E form in pencil?

It is important to fill out your File of L.I.F.E. form in pencil, so that you can easily make changes about your medications, emergency contacts or your medical history. It is very important to keep this information current. 

12. What do I do if my medical information changes?

Use a pencil to erase the old information and rewrite the new information in its place. It is not necessary to contact the Fire Department every time that you have to make a change on your File of L.I.F.E. form. if you need another form because the form is messy or hard to read , you can always download another File of L.I.F.E from the Fire Department’s City webpage, or go to your local fire station.

13. Is the File of L.I.F.E. used in all cities?

The File of L.I.F.E. program is known internationally, however it may not be available in every city. We have adapted this program specifically for the residents of the Gilroy community.

14. Can I get a File of L.I.F.E. for a friend that does not live in Gilroy?

Since the File of L.I.F.E. has been made available through the Gilroy Fire Department, it was intended to target residents with serious health conditions in the Gilroy community only. Unfortunately, our resources for this program only allow us to provide this program to Gilroy residents. People that live outside the City of Gilroy are encouraged to contact their local Fire Department or local health care facilities to obtain more information about whether a program like this has been developed for their area.

15. What do I do if there is more than one File of L.I.F.E. user in the same residence?

If you have more than one person in your residence that qualifies for this program, just keep all of the forms in the same magnetic pouch /file on the refrigerator. It is not necessary to have a pouch/file for each person. Make sure to attach a recent picture to your form to distinguish each user.

16. Why should I include a photo with my File of L.I.F.E. form?

It is important to include a recent photo with your File of L.I.F.E. form to distinguish between users. Even if you live alone, it is important to include a recent photo with your form just in case you happen to have guests stay in your home. By including a recent photo you can be sure that there is no confusion for emergency personnel.

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1. What do firefighters do while they are waiting for a fire or other emergency?

Firefighters have many other duties in addition to responding to emergencies. They spend a lot of
their time training for structure and wild land fire attack, motor vehicle crash extrication, rope rescue, interior search and rescue, emergency medical incidents, along with OSHA required training and other training for a variety of other different types of calls and situations they respond to. They also do commercial inspections, station and apparatus maintenance, school tours and demonstrations, public education, as well as participate on fire department and county committees and meetings.

2. What schedule do firefighters work?

A Gilroy firefighter's shift is 48 hours long. They work a rotating 6 day cycle of 48 hours on duty with 4 days off in between averaging 56 hours per week. There are crews that staff 3 shifts (A-shift, B-shift, and C-shift) 24/7/365.

3. Why do fire engines and ambulances respond on emergency medical calls?

The answer is quality of care! The Gilroy Fire Department deploys 3 strategically located fire engines to maintain short response times. The private ambulance company responds as well to provide transportation to the hospital. We endeavor to give our residents the best care possible and always provide the closest fire engine to the emergency staffed with a Firefighter / Paramedic and 2 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), who fill the ranks of Fire Captain, Engineer and Firefighter.

This staffing enables the responding crew to simultaneously complete different tasks for the patient's care. For instance, when a patient has a heart attack, connecting the defibrillator, CPR, rescue breathing, starting an IV, and administering lifesaving medications may all need to be accomplished quickly and simultaneously in order to give the patient the best chance for survival. By having adequate personnel on hand the care of the patient is improved and the preparation time before transportation to the hospital is significantly shortened.

On some medical calls the fire engine may remain on the scene for family or a business’s assistance, but is available to respond to another emergency if another emergency call comes in.

4. Why do fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?

Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle with red lights and sirens go through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call to which they were responding by radios in the fire engine.

Often several units are dispatched to the same incident. The 1st unit may have arrived on the scene, assessed the situation and informed the dispatcher that a single engine could handle the emergency. All other responding units are then cancelled by radio and are available and ready to take another call.

5. Why do firefighters use chain saws to cut holes in the roof of a building that’s on fire?

This is called "vertical ventilation." There are two basic reasons for this practice. Dangerous superheated gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building. Unlike the movie versions of fires, it is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment or for victims to survive. When a hole is cut in the roof, and the building is “vented,” the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It increases the victim¹s chance for survival and makes it much safer and more efficient for the firefighters in the building to see and operate. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft (explosion) and flashover.

Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly.

Firefighters may also go ahead of the fire on a roof and cut holes to access the attic to stop the fire from spreading through the attic.

6. Does the Fire Department service fire extinguishers?

The Fire Department does not service fire extinguishers. There are many fire extinguisher companies in the telephone book that have the proper equipment to service them.

7. When an emergency vehicle is approaching that is displaying emergency lights and sirens, what should I do?

Please pull to the right and stop. Emergency response vehicles always try to pass vehicles on the left. This will allow fire apparatus or other emergency vehicles adequate and clear lanes to safely and quickly continue its response.

Remember to look before continuing as there may be more engines responding.

8. Why did I see another Fire Department’s fire engine in Gilroy?

The city participates in an ‘Auto-Aid’ Agreement with the South Santa Clara County Fire District (which is contracted and staffed by CalFire). The “District” has engines located strategically at Gilroy Gardens, Masten and 101, and a 3rd at Watsonville and Monterey. This agreement ensures rapid response from the closest engines and the covering of responses adjacent to the city when one of the other engines is busy on other emergency calls.

The City of Gilroy is also a member of the California Mutual Aid System. This is an agreement that allows Gilroy to call for support, additional resources, and specialized teams if they are needed. It also allows other cities and towns to request Gilroy assets similarly when needed.

9. Why do so many fire trucks respond to simple incidents?

Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 911 operator. The Gilroy Fire Department responds with adequate resources when they are responding to a citizen in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst case scenario based on the information received. It is likely that in a time critical emergency situation, requesting more units after discovering that there¹s a need after we arrive, will be too late. We have learned from experience that it is much better to cancel fire engines after we determine that they¹re not needed than it is to call for more fire engines after finding that we need more.

A structure fire requires a significant number of firefighters to simultaneously to do all of the assigned tasks that are needed to maintain firefighter and citizen safety. Firefighting teams are assigned certain responsibilities such as fire extinguishment, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, safety, accountability and rapid intervention.

10. Why do fire trucks respond to motor vehicle accidents?

There are 2 reasons. First, vehicle accidents present other hazards such as potential fire, ruptured fuel tanks, and/or the presence of hazardous materials, downed power lines, and other potential hazards. Second, Gilroy firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. The Fire Department, due to its strategic station locations, is usually on scene well before the County ambulance. The fire crew will assess the situation, call for additional resources, rescue victims, and prepare them for ambulance transport before the ambulance arrives. Additionally, the county civilian ambulance service is not equipped or trained for the rescue and hazards work that firefighters provide.

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1. What are HHWs?

They are wastes that can be found throughout the home, in the garage, garden, hobby shop, and under your sink! They are ingredients in such products as cleaners, paints, and pesticides.

2. How do I handle HHWs?

Once you know what HHWs are, you need to know how to property store, use, recycle and dispose of them. Check out Santa Clara's Household Hazardous Waste disposal program for more information. Santa Clara County's HHW disposal program

3. Are there alternatives to using HHWs?

Yes! Choosing products carefully can reduce the amount of HHW you generate. You can also try alternatives to household products and pesticides.

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1. What is a Housing Element?

A state-mandated policy document that identifies where and how cities will accommodate existing and projected future housing needs for people of all income groups. 

According to State Law, a Housing Element must updated every eight years and:

• Provide goals, policies, quantified objectives, and scheduled programs to preserve, improve, and develop housing;

• Identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs for all economic segments of the community;

• Identify adequate sites zoned and available within the eight-year housing cycle to meet Larkspur’s fair share of regional housing needs at all income levels;

• Be certified (approved) by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as complying with State Law; and

• Be internally consistent with other parts of the General Plan.

2. Why do we need a Housing Element?

The need for every city and county in California to plan for their ‘fair share’ of the projected housing need is based in Housing Element Law, enacted in 1969 (Government Code Section 65583). The concept behind the law is that, in order for the private development market to adequately address housing demand, local governments must adopt housing plans that provide opportunities for – and not unduly constrain – housing development.

Having a certified Housing Element ensures:

• Eligibility for critical State and Federal funds;

• Local land use control; and

• Eligibility for State-administered funding for roads, sewer, parks, housing, and planning.

Without a certified Housing Element, the City is:

• At risk of losing local land use control, including the City’s ability to issue building permits and keep its zoning authority;

• Responsible for accommodating an increased number of housing units;

• Ineligible for various State-administered funds for roads, sewer, parking, housing, and planning; and

• More open to legal action and challenges of its General Plan. 

  • This legal action could come from developers, housing advocates, and California’s Department of Housing and Community Development.

3. Why should I participate in the update process?

The supply of housing is critical to achieving a variety of community objectives, including economic development and preserving and producing an adequate supply of housing affordable to people at a variety of income levels. The housing element addresses the special housing needs of farmworkers, single-parent households, large multi-generational households, people with disabilities, and people who are experiencing homelessness.  

Housing issues affect the entire community —  residents, employers, and the public and private sectors. The inclusion of community stakeholders in the Housing Element update process helps ensure appropriate housing strategies are more efficiently and effectively evaluated, developed, and implemented.  Successful public participation is important because a diverse cross section of the population can be engaged in defining the housing problem and in crafting solutions that work for everyone in the community. Broad participation and true engagement of the public increases the likelihood that the community members involved in the discussion and planning processes will support new housing strategies and housing developments.

4. What is the City's Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA)?

Since 1969, the State of California has required that all local governments (cities, towns and counties) adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in our communities. The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determines the total housing need for each eight-year planning period. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) then determines how many new homes, and the affordability of those homes, each local government in the Bay Area must plan for in its Housing Element. 

As illustrated in the following table, the City’s total RHNA during the current 2015-2023 planning cycle is 1,088 units. The City has exceeded the RHNA for the low-income and above-moderate (market rate) income categories. However, the remaining very-low income allocation is 89 units and the remaining moderate-income allocation is 131 units.    

Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress Report (2015 – 2021)
Income Level	RHNA Unit Allocation	2015 – 2020 Units	2021 Units	Total Units Permitted	RHNA Units Remaining
*Very Low (31 – 50% AMI)	236	139	8	147	89
Low (51 – 80% AMI)	160	567	119	686	0
Moderate (81 – 120% AMI)	217	66	20	86	131
Above Moderate (Above 120% AMI)	475	1,196	128	1,324	0
Total Units:	1,088	1,968	275	2,243	Remaining Units = 220

*The category “extremely low-income households” is a subset of “very low-income households,” and is defined as 30 percent or less (0 – 30%) of the area median income. 

The 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2023-2031) will identify where and how the City will accommodate Gilroy's assigned RHNA for the next eight-year planning cycle:

 

2022-2031 Regional Housing Needs Allocation
RHNA Income Category	2023-2031 RHNA Unit Count
Very Low (31 – 50% AMI)	669
Low (51 – 80% AMI)	385
Moderate (81 – 120% AMI)	200
Above Moderate (Above 120% AMI)	519
Total Units:	1,773

5. Is Gilroy required to build the housing assigned?

Under current state law, cities are not required to build housing units. Housing construction is still driven by the private market. Instead, a city is required to ensure that sufficient land and appropriate zoning standards are available to accommodate all assigned units. To do so, cities must determine whether the current zoning standards can accommodate its RHNA assignment. If not, the city is required to designate new sites for this purpose – usually through amending the General Plan and Zoning designations.

6. What is considered "low-income" in Gilroy?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes income limits based upon the Area Median Income (AMI) for each county in each state. These limits are used in determining a family’s initial eligibility for "affordable housing" programs. In 2021, the Area Median Income (AMI) for a four-person household in Santa Clara County was $151,300, as defined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Based on the County AMI, the income limits for a family of four (4) within each income category are represented below:

Extremely Low Income:   $49,700 (0 – 30% AMI) 

Very Low Income:             $82,850 (31 – 50% AMI)

Low Income:                      $117,750 (51 – 80% AMI)

Moderate Income:             $117,751 to $181,550 (81 – 120% AMI)

Above Moderate:              Above $181,550

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1. What is your address and hours of operation?

Human Resources Department 7351 Rosanna Street Gilroy, CA 95020

Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

2. What positions are currently available?

Visit our Job Listing page to view open positions.

3. Can I just send the city my resume?

The city only accepts applications for positions that are posted and open for recruitment on NEOGOV at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofgilroy/.  Resumes may be uploaded and attached to the online application. Resumes cannot be submitted in lieu of an application.

4. Where do I get an application?

All open positions with the City of Gilroy are posted at www.GovernmentJobs.com. From this website, you can obtain the required online application for each position. In addition, you can view information about each open position as well as a detailed job flyer. If you have any questions regarding accessing City of Gilroy jobs on this website, please call Human Resources at 408-846-0228.

5. Where can I take a typing test?

Please refer to the City of Gilroy’s Typing Certificate Information Sheet (PDF).

6. Can I submit an online typing certificate?

No. Online typing certificates are not accepted by the City of Gilroy.

7. What is the hiring process?

Please refer to the hiring process page.

8. How do I change my address for future hiring communications?

Call the Human Resources department at 408-846-0228.

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1. What do I do if online incident reporting is not right for me?

If your incident is an emergency, call 911. If non-emergency call 408-846-0350, or come to the Police Department Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2. I live in Gilroy, but the crime took place in another city. Can I file a report using this online police citizen reporting system?

No, if a crime took place outside of the City of Gilroy please call the police department for that city.

3. What if this happened on a state Freeway?

If this took place on a state freeway please call the California Highway Patrol Office nearest you.

4. What is a known suspect?

A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or where to find the person who committed the crime or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect(s) were in.

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1. What does pretreatment mean?

Pretreatment is the reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutants in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to discharge to the treatment plant.

2. Who implements the pretreatment program?

The Chemical Control Division (CCD) of the City of Gilroy Community Development Department is responsible for the implementation of the Program.

3. How is the pretreatment program implemented?

The pretreatment program is implemented through the Industrial Waste Discharge permit issued to businesses. The program is implemented through 3 elements in the permit: prohibited discharge standards, national categorical standards, and local limits. Permit conditions are authorized by Chapter 19 of the Gilroy City Ordinance and Chapter 13 of the Morgan Hill City Ordinance.

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1. What is the schedule for street sweeping?

Recology South Valley provides bi-weekly street sweeping service in the City of Gilroy. Street sweeping occurs the day after your collection day. The streets are swept for Friday customers on the following Monday. For additional information please visit the Recology website: Recology South Valley - Street Sweeping

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1. What are street trees?

A “street tree” is any tree planted by or on behalf of the city in the street right-of-way. Typically trees are planted in the “park strip” which is the area between the sidewalk and the street.

Sometimes, when the sidewalk is adjacent to the curb, (known as a “monolithic sidewalk”) the tree is planted next to
the sidewalk. If a tree is not within the public right-of-way, it is not a street tree. The species of street trees vary but include trees like Crape Myrtle, Chinese Pistache, and Chitalpa, just to name a few.

2. Who owns and maintains street trees?

They are owned by the city.

3. What is the right-of-way?

The public right-of-way is the area that includes the street, sidewalk, and some property along the street. Typically, the city has an easement over this area. The width varies from street to street, but typically the ROW extends approximately 10’ from the back of curb towards the adjacent property. Most of the trees planted in the park strip between the sidewalk and street are street trees. If there is no park strip, trees planted in the property owners front yard or setback, near the sidewalk may be street trees.

4. How do I know if a tree is a city-owned tree?

Most trees located in the public right-of-way, as explained above, are city trees. If you have a question as to whether a tree is in the right-of-way, you can check the exact dimensions of the right-of-way with the Engineering Division at 408-846-0223 If the tree does not lie within the city right-of-way, the tree is not a street tree. Trees on private streets are not city trees.

5. What maintenance does the city provide for street trees?

We have a 2-person crew and one seasonal employee that provide certain maintenance services such as pruning and spraying for street trees. The city also contracts out several services including the planting, stump grinding, and some pruning.

6. What trees does Urban Forestry work on?

We maintain trees growing on city property. That includes trees growing on street rights-of-way, in parks, and on other city properties. When a request for work on a street tree is made, staff will inspect the tree, determine if it is a city street tree, and what work is needed. If the tree is not on the right-of-way, or is not a City street tree, staff will advise you. We can't perform tree work on private property, so you would need to hire an arborist.

7. What is the property owners responsibility for maintaining city street trees?

As the adjacent owner, you are expected to maintain everything between the street and your property line (the right-of-way line), including the sidewalk and street trees. Maintenance includes watering, and removing fallen leaves, branches, and fruit debris. However, residents SHALL NOT trim, prune, spray, or remove city trees without a permit from the city.

Trees should be "deep watered," that is, watered slowly for an extended period of time. This helps promote deep root growth, which is better for the tree. It can also help reduce damage caused by shallow roots. Residents are also responsible for leaf raking and removal, removal of ivy, and removal of routine tree debris such as small twigs and branches that might drop or be knocked off by passing trucks.

8. Who do I call if a tree needs work?

Requests for pruning, spraying, inspection and similar services can be made by calling Public Works at 408-846-0424. The support staff will take information on your request and will generate a work request for the Urban Forestry crews. Staff will inspect the tree and report to you what, if any, work is required.

The city crew’s first priority is urgent problems such as cracked limbs, trees that are at risk of falling, and downed trees. Many routine tree maintenance services are contracted out The tree crew only handles routine service requests on a time available basis. If your request is for a service that is not urgent in nature, it may be put on a work order list to be included in a future contract. It is very costly and inefficient for the tree crew to provide routine tree services on a spot by spot basis. Whenever possible, tree services that are not urgent will be held and scheduled so that the crew or contractor can take care of all the trees in a given area at the same time.

9. I've got bees in my tree! What do I do? Will the city remove them?

Generally, swarming bees do not need to be removed. A Honeybee colony contains only a single Queen, but in order to ensure new colonies can begin and the populations can grow, new Queen bees are produced each year. All the Queens except one will leave their parent colony, to fly off and establish their own colonies somewhere else. As they leave they take a large "entourage" of worker bees with them, and you may have seen this exciting dispersal flight as what is called a swarm", often in the warm days of early spring. This can be a pretty frightening thing to be in the middle of, as hundreds or thousands of bees suddenly are flying around and past you as you are walking down the street.

However, at this time there is less chance of being stung, for the workers at this time are not defending anything in particular, and have no instinct to attack you, unless one gets trapped in your clothes and feels personally threatened. The swarms stop each day to rest, usually as a huge ball of bees with the Queen somewhere in the midst of all the workers, and from this blob workers will venture off in different directions looking for an appropriate cavity to offer their Queen as a potential new home.

The best course of action, should you one day discover a football-sized clump of bees in a tree in your front yard, or perhaps on the fence, is.....nothing, for in a day or so the bees will leave again. The tree limb and fence are not good nest sites, so all they are doing is hanging out while the workers look for a better place. Basically, Honey Bees are defensive and will attack only something that is threatening their colony. Swarms first move to a temporary site such as a tree branch.

The swarm will usually remain here for about 24 to 48 hours until permanent quarters are located, and then move on. Permanent quarters may consist of a bee hive, hollow tree, hollow wall, attics, etc., typically some place which is sheltered from the weather.

10. There is mistletoe or ivy in my tree , will the forestry crew remove it?

Mistletoe will not harm the tree and can be left in place. Ivy growing up a tree trunk can literally suffocate a tree. It is the property owners responsibility to remove ivy.

11. My street tree is diseased, dripping sap, or infested with insects

There are a number of diseases and infestations that can attack street trees such as powdery mildew and aphids. Most street trees are selected from species or varieties with the greatest resistance to disease, however diseases and infestations can still occur. In most cases, these diseases are left to run their course and the tree is healthy enough to resist the disease or infestation, spraying is done only when absolutely essential. If you have a tree that appears diseased or infested please call community services at 846-0444 to have staff inspect the tree.

12. Why doesn’t someone rake the leaves from street trees?

Routine maintenance including raking leaves is the responsibility of the property owner. Generally, you should put them out for disposal along with your other green waste or compost them in your yard.

During the leaf fall season, in areas with the heaviest leaf fall, such as Miller, 6th St. and 5th St., our staff will use the tractor to scrape leaves into a pile, and then load the leaves into a dump truck and haul them away. If you live in one of these areas, and rake your leaves into a pile, please be sure that the pile is placed away from the curb and gutter. This reduces the leaves being washed down the gutter and clogging storm drains, and makes it easier for the crews to pick up the leaves.

13. Why are street trees important?

Street trees are a vital asset to the urban environment. Without street trees, the city is a sterile landscape of concrete, brick, steel, and asphalt. Picture the City of Gilroy without any trees and you see a pretty grim picture. Trees add beauty and create an environment beneficial to our mental health. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and, in turn, replenish the atmosphere with oxygen for people to breathe. Trees have other benefits that people take for granted. They help cool the streets with shade, lessen glare off buildings and sidewalks, absorb noise, and bring beauty to our community.

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1. How do I get a street tree planted?

Property owners are free to plant whatever tree they like on their own property outside the public right of way. If you would like the city to consider planting a street tree in front of your home, call Public Works at (408) 846-0424 to make a request. Requests will be considered based on current tree policies and available funding. Typically, the city contracts for tree planting and the planting is done in batches 2 or 3 times a year. Your location will be placed on a list to be included in the next tree planting contract. If you wish to plant a tree sooner than the city is able to, you may request a permit to plant a street tree. There are designated tree species for every street in the city, and the tree you plant must be the tree designated on the street tree master planting plan. Exceptions to the plan can only be granted
by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

2. Can I plant a tree myself?

Yes, however you must obtain a permit from the City and the tree and planting methods must adhere to the City’s standards for street trees. The City’s policy requires that the tree be planted by a licensed landscape contractor.

3. What are the city’s standards for planting street trees?

A copy of the street tree planting detail is available from Engineering Services at 408-846-0223.

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1. The street tree in front of my house needs to be pruned. Who should I call?

Public Works at 846-0424. All street trees are on a regular pruning schedule. Routine pruning is planned so that the crew can prune all the trees in a given geographic area at the same time. This is the most efficient and cost effective way to prune. Current funding limits routine, non-emergency, tree pruning to no more frequently than once every 11 years. If you feel your tree needs routine pruning, you can contact Community Services and the tree will be pruned in accordance with the schedule along with other trees in your neighborhood.

If there is some type of hazard, such as a cracked limb, or downed or leaning tree, staff will respond and inspect the tree and prune or remove the tree as needed to correct the hazard. Non-urgent pruning outside of the scheduled maintenance is only done on a time available basis. If the property owner wishes to have a tree pruned sooner, they may request a permit from Community Services to prune the tree.

City trees are pruned according to internationally accepted pruning guidelines that are designed to promote the health and safety of each tree. This means that the city will never "top" a tree, or simply cut off the top part of the limbs. If you believe a street tree is causing a problem with street lights, power lines, or other structures, call Public Works at 408-846-0424 to report the problem.

2. What are the repercussions if you trim or prune street trees without a permit?

We hope people do not take it upon themselves to prune street trees. Street tree pruning must be performed carefully by a trained and experienced arborist. If a person removes, tops or prunes street trees without permission from the city, they can be fined and they become liable for damages to the tree. So please contact the city for a permit prior to conducting any pruning on a street tree.

3. I need a tree stump removed, who does that?

The city contracts for stump grinding services once per year. Please call Public Works at 408-846-0424 to request that your stump be included in our next stump removal contract.

4. My tree needs root pruning, who do I call?

Call Public Works at 846-0424. Root pruning is done once a year in the fall. This is the best time to prune roots for the health of the tree. Staff will take the information on your tree, and it will be put on the list for root pruning during the next root pruning cycle. See the section on sidewalks for further information.

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1. The trees along the street have grown up into the power lines, and I'm worried about power failure. Will Urban Forestry prune these limbs?

Urban Forestry doesn't prune trees for transmission line clearance due to Line Clearance Certification requirements. Contractors working for the utilities will do this work. Contact PG&E at 800-743-5000.

2. Can't anything be done about the way that the street trees are pruned under the powerlines?

Line clearance pruning, while unsightly to many people, is necessary to ensure reliable power. The real answer to this situation is planting the right tree in the right place. This means that the type of tree to be planted is selected based on the location where it will be planted. The only trees that Urban Forestry will plant under transmission lines are trees that will mature at a height low enough to prevent conflict with the overhead utility lines. This way, the trees won't need to be trimmed for line clearance.

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1. Vegetation and low tree limbs make it difficult to see at an intersection. Can Urban Forestry help?

Urban Forestry can evaluate these blind corners and sight distance problems to determine the best method to improve the situation. Let us know where the intersection is and we'll do our best to solve the problem.

2. A tree is blocking a stop sign or light, what should I do?

Call Public Works at 846-0424 to have the tree inspected, pruned or removed as necessary.

3. My neighbor has a dead tree that could fall onto my house. What can be done about this

Urban Forestry can't get involved in these types of “civil dispute” situations. We recommend that you get legal counsel on how to handle this if your neighbor has not responded to your request to deal with the situation.

4. Does Urban Forestry give away or sell the wood chips it's crews make?

Depending on availability, once a year during the Earth Day celebration, typically in April, the city will have wood chips and compost available for public pick up. Contact our Public Works Department at 846-0424 to find out when the next Earth Day celebration will occur.

5. Can Urban Forestry come out and pick up the debris from a tree that I trimmed?

Urban Forestry crews will only pick up debris from trees that they pruned. We generally will chip debris as we go. You can put out tree debris with your green waste picked up by the garbage company. Contact South Valley Disposal and Recycling at 842-3358 to find out your green waste pick up day.

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1. What if I suspect a water leak?

If you have a high water bill, it could be from a leak on your property.

Check for leaks:

Toilets: Open the back tank.  Examine the overflow and adjust the ball float if needed.  Place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank.  Wait about 30 minutes without flushing.  If the color appears in your toilet bowl, then you have a leak and need to replace the flapper valve or adjust the chain.  Replacement parts are easy to pick up at your local hardware store.  Turn off the water supply to your toilet while you are waiting for or conducting repairs.

Leaky faucets/showerheads/hose bibs: Check all of your faucets, shower or bathtubs, and hose bibs for drips.  Even small drips add up.

Irrigation: Check your control valves and irrigation lines for breaks or leaks.  If your system is on a timer, check that the timer is set correctly.  Other common causes of leaks are water softeners (stuck valves), leaks at the water connections to sinks, and leaks in a swimming pool or pump.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District offers helpful water conservation guidance and tips.  Visit their website at https://www.valleywater.org/saving-water/residential.

2. When is my bill due?

The bill is due upon receipt and must be paid by the last working day of the month to avoid delinquency charges.

3. Did the water rates increase?

Yes, the City’s water and wastewater service rates increased effective September 1, 2015. There are annual increases scheduled through July 1, 2019.

4. How are the water rates calculated?

Water rates are calculated by combining a monthly base fee dependent on meter size, and a tiered volumetric rate based on water consumption and elevation zone.

5. Will water rates go down if rain increases?

The City reviews its budget annually to determine if authorized rates are in line with calculated requirements. If the projected costs are less than previously anticipated in the scheduled rate increases, the City can implement a lower rate adjustment.

6. Can a customer start or stop water service over the phone or on-line?

A service request form with an authorized signature is required to start or stop service, along with a copy of a photo I.D. Please use the following forms:

Commercial
Residential

These forms are also available in the Finance Department at City Hall. The form can be faxed or submitted in person. The fax number is (408) 846-0421 and City Hall office hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

7. Is there a deposit required to start service?

If a customer has not had service in the City of Gilroy in the past five years, a deposit of $50.00 for residential service is required; $20.00 per unit deposit for multi-unit complex where a meter services more than one unit. There is also a $50.00 nonrefundable service charge to initiate service. All fees must be paid at the time the service is requested. The deposit will be credited back to your account after one full year of service.

8. What credit cards does the City accept?

The City of Gilroy currently accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover; and payment can be made in person, by phone, or using the on-line payment service.

9. What other forms of payment are accepted?

Beyond the payment methods above, customers can also pay their utility bill through and electronic funds transfers. The form for electronic funds transfer can be found here: Electronic Funds Transfer