Frequently Asked Questions

City Hall is open:

• Monday through Thursday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Alternate Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Please see the main calendar for closure dates.

Calendar Link

• 12951(A) V.C. - No Driver’s License in possession
• 16028(A) V.C. - No proof of Insurance
• Child Seat Violations
• Or any violations that the issuing officer has indicated that the violation requires you to appear in court

You are required to hang your placard on the rear view mirror or front dash so that it is visible by the enforcement officer (22511.55 (a) (1) California Vehicle Code). If the placard was not displayed as required, but is otherwise valid, you may bring it to the police department and pay a $25 fee for handling the dismissal of the parking citation (40226 California Vehicle Code). You may also appeal the citation in two ways

• By Internet: Go to www.CitationProcessingCenter.com and search for your citation; once you’ve found your citation, click the button to contest the citation
• By Mail: Include the citation and your correspondence in an envelope addressed to: City of Healdsburg, Citation Processing Center, PO Box 10479, Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479
• In your review request, you should explain the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the citation and why it should be dismissed, offering as much detail as possible.
• When your review request is received, the matter will be put on hold so that the fine amount will not increase.

If your placard is expired, then you may be faced with having to pay the $500 fine.

There are three ways to pay a parking ticket you’ve received in the City of Healdsburg. Payments are not accepted at the Healdsburg Police Department so to pay your parking citation, you may

• Pay by Internet using the secure web payment service at CitationProcessingCenter.com
• Pay by Phone by calling the toll-free payment center at 1-800-989-2058
• Pay by Mail using a check or money order, payable to the "City of Healdsburg." Include the original citation and your payment in the pre-addressed envelope you received at the time of citation. If needed you may use your own envelope addressed to: City of Healdsburg, Citation Processing Center, PO Box 10479, Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479

Your parking citation can be located by the license plate or citation number online: go to www.CitationProcessingCenter.com and search for your citation.

Disputing a Parking Ticket

• You may dispute your parking ticket in two ways
  • By Internet: Go to www.CitationProcessingCenter.comand search for your citation; once you’ve found your citation, click the button to contest the citation
  • By Mail: Include the citation and your correspondence in an envelope addressed to: City of Healdsburg, Citation Processing Center, PO Box 10479, Newport Beach, CA 92658-0479
• In your review request, you should explain the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the citation and why it should be dismissed, offering as much detail as possible
• When your review request is received, the matter will be put on hold so that the fine amount will not increase
• The case will be reviewed and determine whether or not the citation should be dismissed
• You will then be informed by mail as to the outcome of the review request.

Effective April 1, 2025 the sales tax rate in Healdsburg is 9.75%. To find out the sales tax rate for any city in California, visit the State Board of Equalization's website.

State Board of Equalization Website

The property transfer tax rate in Healdsburg is $1.10 per $1,000.00 property value total. This includes the county tax rate.

In the event of a utility emergency please contact our 24-Hour Utility Response Hotline to report a water, sewer, electric, or street issue at (707)431-7000 or Toll Free (855)755-6586.  For natural gas issues, please call PG&E at (800) 743-5000.

Residential customers are billed a monthly service charge plus usage charges billed at a volume rate. Non-residential customers are billed a monthly service charge per meter by meter size plus usage charges billed at a volume rate. Usage is measured & billed in HCF (hundred cubic feet, 1 HCF = 748 gallons). Visit www.healdsburg.gov/rates to view current and past rates.

Residential customers are billed a fixed monthly service charge per dwelling unit plus usage charges calculated using the Seasonal Sewer Average (average winter water use billed - January thru April). Non-residential customers are billed a fixed monthly service charge based on water meter size plus usage charges billed for water consumed and strength factor. Usage is measured & billed in HCF (hundred cubic feet, 1 HCF = 748 gallons). Visit www.healdsburg.gov/rates to view current and past rates.

Residential customers are billed a monthly customer charge plus energy charges on a 2-tier rate structure based on consumption and rate type. Non-residential customers are billed a monthly customer charge plus energy charges based on consumption and rate type. Visit www.healdsburg.gov/electricrates to view current and past rates, as well as rate options.

Your account becomes delinquent if your utility bill has not been paid by the due date. Accounts not paid in full by the due date will be subject to a late fee of 1.5%. Residential Water service will be disconnected after being delinquent no less than 60 days.  Electric and Non-Residential water service will be disconnected after being delinquent no less than 30 days.  Seven or more days prior to disconnection of service, the City will contact the account holder by telephone or written notice.

Please contact the Utility Customer Service line at 707-431-3307 prior to the reminder notice/reminder call due date if a payment arrangement or amortization schedule is needed. Requests will not be granted past the notice/call due date.

If you have unexplained higher than usual water usage and suspect you may have a leak, contact the Utility Billing Customer Service line at 707-431-3307. A utility worker will be dispatched to check the water meter and look for indications of a leak.  

When a water leak has been repaired, the account holder may be entitled to a leak adjustment. Please refer to the City’s Leak Adjustment Policy below: Adjustments may be available for certain types of water leaks when there is evidence that the leak was not due to willful or negligent acts on the part of the customer. To be considered for a water leak adjustment the following criteria must be met: 1) The water usage in question was excessive compared to normal usage for the same period(s) in the prior year, 2) The customer repaired the leak in a timely fashion and can provide proof of the repair, and 3) The customer is able to describe, in writing, the nature of the leak and the repairs.

Adjustments must be requested within six months of the effected billing period and may be made to the water bills for up to two (2) billing periods based on the difference between the usage billed during the leak and water used the same period(s) last year. Related sewer adjustments will automatically be taken into consideration and sewer usage billed or upcoming SSA calculations adjusted accordingly. Adjustments are limited to one instance per calendar year. Please Contact our Utility Department for more information or to inquire about receiving an adjustment. Address: 401 Grove Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448 Email: UtilityBilling@ci.healdsburg.ca.us Phone: (707) 431-3307

Visit the Utility Billing Policy section on the Utility Billing & Customer Service webpage for more information.

The City offers a variety of programs, incentives and discounts to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging. Information on residential and commercial programs for electric transportation is available at healdsburg.gov/1000/Electric-Vehicles-E-Bikes.

If you believe that you have been billed incorrectly, send the bill and a statement supporting your claim to: The City of Healdsburg Attention: Finance Director 401 Grove Street Healdsburg, CA 95448.  Appeals must be initiated within 25 days from receipt of the utility bill in question. Complaints or disputed bills will be rejected when the dispute appears to be over matters such as quality of a utility service, general levels of rates, pending rate applications and sources of water and power.  Services will not be I interrupted for non-payment while an appeal is pending.

The City of Healdsburg refers qualifying low-income customers to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). This program has funds to help you pay 1 or 2 months of electricity per year. For more information call HEAP at (707)495-4417 or (800)233-4480, visit their offices at 1100 Coddingtown Center, Suite 1, Santa Rosa CA, print an application below, or visit the Utility Billing Counter at City Hall. HEAP Application

The Police Department lobby is open everyday from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM.  

To obtain a copy of a report, you must fill out a request form, which is available at the Police Department or on the Police Department website by clicking here. Once the form is completed and turned in, it will normally take up to ten business days to complete the request. Please see the current Master Fee Schedule for the current cost for obtaining a copy of the report. Not all reports are available to be released.

Accident reports are released to parties involved and/or their representative (i.e. insurance company).

Crime and incident reports may be released to:

• The victim(s)
• An authorized representative of the victim
• An Insurance carrier against which a claim has been made and/or might be made
• Any person suffering bodily injury, property damage or loss

Reports will not be released if:

• The disclosure would endanger the safety of a witness or other involved party.
• Endanger the successful completion of the investigation or related investigations or is being prosecuted through the District Attorney.
• The name and address of a victim of certain crimes will not be disclosed.

The Department does only ink fingerprinting, not Livescan. This service is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. No appointment is necessary. However, it is suggested you call on the day you plan to come in to make sure the service is available and not cancelled.  You must provide your card(s). Please see the current Master Fee Schedule for the current cost.

Chief Jenkins is not always available to meet with. An appointment can be scheduled through dispatch at 707-431-3377.

1. Endanger a person involved in an investigation
2. Endanger the successful completion of the investigation or related investigation.

You may talk to a supervisor to make an informal commendation or complaint by coming to the department or by calling our main number, 707-431-3377. If you would like to make a formal complaint, a form can be obtained at the Police Department or by downloading the form (English/Spanish).

Net-metering or net-surplus is the extra energy generated from a PV solar system that is sent back to the grid. For example, if over the course of the year you used 900 kWh from the grid and you sent 1,000 kWh back to the grid, then that means you had a net surplus of 100 kWh.

Call the Building Department for your permit's final inspection at 707-431-3346. The Building Department will notify the Electric Department when the inspection passes. Once all paperwork (Interconnection Agreement, etc.) has been correctly completed and submitted to the Electric Department, we will install a NET-meter. The NET-meter fee is based on the current fiscal year Master Fee Schedule.

Customers should not turn on the system until the Permission to Operate (PTO) letter is provided. This letter will be sent after the building inspection is complete, the interconnection agreement is signed, and the net-meter has been set. At this point when the PTO letter is provided, and not before, the customer can turn on their system. Turning the system on earlier may result in solar production that is not credited to their utility bill. 

The utility prefers all breakers to be behind the main breaker.

Customers electing to be on this account structure currently receive $0.0888 per net surplus kWh, paid-out on an annual basis. This rate may change at any time – Visit healdsburg.gov/electricrates for the most up-to-date information. The compensation rate is the same for all rate codes.

There is a NET-meter fee for all solar installations. This fee may be waived if the project is only for adding onto an existing solar system that is already associated with the NET-meter. The Planning & Building and Fire departments also assess fees for their involvement. Review the current Master Fee Schedule for applicable fees. The 2024-2025 fees are available here.

Any of our rates can become a NET-metered rate. Please see our Rate Eligibility sheet to determine your applicable rate(s). To learn more about specific rates, please see our Rate Schedule at healdsburg.gov/electricrates.

Since the utility has to install and maintain infrastructure to support the customer's peak energy flow (regardless of whether it flows in to the customer or out to the grid) demand is billed irrespective of direction. Because of this, customers on a demand-rate who become NET-metered, will likely not see a decrease in their demand-charge. However, battery systems can be strategically programmed to reduce demand.

No, the City does not have solar or battery installation rebates. Information about energy programs and other solar or battery incentives is available at www.SmartLivingHealdsburg.org.

Healdsburg Electric offers a Green Rate option for 100% renewable electricity. Find out more about electricity sources and renewables, and apply for the Green Rate, at healdsburg.gov/powercontent.

• Remove graffiti from your property immediately.
• Plant shrubs or vines in areas that have graffiti problems.
• Report offender to the Healdsburg Police Department at 707-431-3377. Graffiti vandalism is a misdemeanor offense. If apprehended, violators will be prosecuted.
• Report graffiti to appropriate agencies.
• Report graffiti on private utilities:
  • Cable TV (Comcast) 707-588-5501
  • Gas (PG&E) 800-743-5000
  • Telephone (AT&T) 707-575-2077

A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between the potable (e.g., drinking) water system and another source containing non-potable water or other substances that could contaminate your drinking water if a backflow condition occurs.

An example of a temporary connection could be a garden hose attached to a sink or a spigot with the end of the hose submerged in a tub full of detergent. An example of a permanent connection could be the water supply line to the boiler of a hot water heating system.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding cross connections or backflow prevention devices, please call the Utilities Department at 707-431-3369.

There are a couple of easy ways you can prevent a cross-connection:

1. Never place the end of a hose where it can suck contaminates into your home’s water system. For example, do not leave the end of the hose submerged in the swimming pool or a tank when filling. Always maintain at least a 1 inch gap between the end of the hose and the pool, tank or other source of potential contamination.
2. Use proper backflow protection devices. Each spigot at your home should have a hose-bib vacuum breaker installed. This is a simple and inexpensive device that can be purchased at any hardware store and screwed directly onto each spigot (as easy as attaching your garden hose).

Backflow is just what it sounds like: water flowing in the opposite direction from its normal flow. With the direction of flow reversed (due to changes in pressure), backflow can allow contaminants to enter the potable water system through cross-connections. Without proper backflow devices, something as useful as your garden hose has the potential to contaminate your home’s water supply and the public water system.

A potentially hazardous cross-connection occurs every time someone uses a garden hose sprayer to apply fertilizer or herbicides to their lawn. Without a backflow prevention device between your hose and the spigot, the contents of the hose and anything it is connected to can backflow into the home’s water system and contaminate your drinking water.

Backflow can occur 2 different ways, by back-pressure or back-siphonage.

Back-pressure is when a pump, elevated tank, boiler, etc. in a private system creates pressure that is greater than the pressure provided by the city water system. This can reverse the direction of flow, pushing contaminates into the drinking water system.

Back-siphonage occurs when there is a sudden reduction in the water pressure in the distribution system, such as if a water main breaks or if the Fire Department uses a large amount of water to fight a fire. When this occurs water flow can be reversed. This can create a suction effect, drawing contaminates into the drinking water system.

Backflow into the public water system can introduce contaminates, making the water in the system unusable or unsafe to drink. Every water supplier has a responsibility to provide water that is usable and safe to drink under all foreseeable circumstances.

Furthermore, consumers generally have absolute faith that water delivered to them through a public water system is always safe to drink. For these reasons, each water supplier must take reasonable precautions to protect its public water system against backflow.

The City of Healdsburg recognizes 3 methods of backflow prevention:

• Air Gap (a physical separation with disconnected and capped plumbing/piping)
• Double Check Detector Check Assembly (Dedicated Fire Systems Only)
• Reduced Pressure Assembly

The method of backflow prevention required is based on the degree of hazard that the property and the various uses within the property represent to the city water supply. For more information, download a table showing the required backflow assembly for typical applications.

Recycled water and rainwater should not be placed in storage containers that are connected to piped landscape irrigation systems or to a drinking water supply. Recycled water and rainwater storage containers may only be connected by hose to separate irrigation systems (i.e., hoses connected to above ground drip irrigation systems or sprinklers that are disconnected from potable water supply). Additionally, all equipment (hoses, etc.) and storage containers that come into contact with recycled water or rainwater should be dedicated for use only with non-potable water.

For instances where different systems (potable, rainwater, or recycled water) could come into contact with each other or where any parts of the system are underground, these must be inspected by the City and verified to have an air-gap separation to prevent cross-connection to the drinking water supply. These systems may be subject to backflow device requirements of the City’s cross-connection control program.

A backflow prevention assembly is an approved, testable assembly which uses spring loaded valves to prevent potential contaminates from backflowing into the city water system.

Backflow Prevention Assembly

Backflow Prevention Assembly with Green Freeze Protection Cover

It is the responsibility of the water customer to ensure that the backflow prevention assembly is in proper operating condition at all times. Backflow prevention assemblies must be tested annually. The City of Healdsburg sends notices to customers reminding them when the annual test is due.

The customer must contact a City of Healdsburg recognized tester to perform the test. If any repair work (including repairs resulting from freeze damage) or maintenance is performed on the assembly, a city recognized tester must re-test the assembly immediately and submit the test results to the City.

To be considered for the City's recognized tester list download and turn in the completed application form from our Cross Connection Control Program Page.

The Community Services Department reserves the right to cancel classes due to lack of enrollment or for any other unforeseen circumstance. In the event that the Department, or contracted instructor cancels a class or program, enrollees will receive a full refund. Refund requests made 72 hours prior to the start of classes will receive a full refund. Refunds request made within 72 hours before the start of a class will be issued a credit on account. Refund requests made during the course of an activity will be prorated and a credit will be placed on your account. Failure to attend a program or 'no shows' will not be granted a refund.

The  Information Technology Services Department provides technology support and solutions for the City of Healdsburg's departments and employees.

Unfortunately, no. The Information Technology Services Department provides technology support and solutions for internal City of Healdsburg departments only.

The City of Healdsburg provides our citizens and those visiting our City the opportunity to access free Wi-Fi via our public access network called wifihealdsburg. Wi-Fi Healdsburg currently covers the downtown area between City Hall and the Police Department (including the Plaza) as well as the Villa, and the Community Center. If available in your location you will see wifihealdsburg listed as one of your hotspots. Simply connect to it as you would any other hotspot (device dependent) and agree to the terms and conditions you are presented when you open your browser. Please note that your connection will expire two hours after you log in, simply reconnect and you will continue to have access.

Please call the Senior Center Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm for help and information regarding all our programs, classes, service. Our staff and volunteers are here to help!

The City of Healdsburg has adopted the 2019 California Code of Regulations. You can find information about the code at www.bsc.ca.gov

Please see our Renewable Energy Permit page, which can be found here. These include Solar permits and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

Please visit the Water Conservation and Drought Information webpage for up-to-date information on current water restrictions.

It is always important to avoid water waste and prepare for the next drought. Find out more about resources to conserve water at www.smartlivinghealdsburg.org.

Please visit the Water Conservation and Drought Information webpage for up-to-date information on current water restrictions.

City of Healdsburg is part of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, which has many great programs and resources, including Water Saving Tips. You can also check out the Do-It-Yourself Home Energy and Water Savings Toolkit from the Library for FREE.

Find out more about resources to conserve water and rebates available at www.smartlivinghealdsburg.org.

The Ordinance applies to:

• All new residential, commercial, office, industrial, public or quasi-public projects with landscaping
• All additions/remodels to existing residential, commercial, office, industrial, public or quasi-public projects with new or replaced contractor-installed landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more
• All additions/remodels to existing residential, commercial, office, industrial, public or quasi-public projects with new or replaced property owner-installed landscapes of 5,000 square feet or more

For more information, please visit the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance webpage.  

We have many indoor and outdoor water rebates available. Please view the full list of rebates at www.smartlivinghealdsburg.org. 

We have many indoor and outdoor water rebates available. Please view the full list of rebates at www.smartlivinghealdsburg.org. 

You can check out the Do-It-Yourself Home Energy and Water Savings Toolkit from the Library for FREE, which has free items, returnable devices, tips, and a guide for a self-audit.

City of Healdsburg is part of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, which also has many great programs and resources, including Water Saving Tips. 

Find out more about resources to conserve water and rebates available at www.smartlivinghealdsburg.org.

Go to www.energystar.gov for more information and a list of qualifying appliances. To view qualifying clothes washers, visit bit.ly/CoHQualifyingClothesWashers or Tier 2 and above models at bit.ly/CEEClothesWashers.

Graywater from appliances in your home can be routed to your landscape to help meet your irrigation needs. The City of Healdsburg only provides water rebates for laundry-to-landscape systems. For more information on graywater, visit the Graywater tab here: www.savingwaterpartnership.org/programs-rebates/water-saving-tips.

Check out the Do-It-Yourself Home Energy and Water Savings Toolkit from the Library for FREE, which has free items, returnable devices, tips, and a guide for a self-audit.

Find out more about energy efficiency resources and rebates available at www.smartlivinghealdsburg.org.

Yes, you can still qualify for the clothes washer rebate if you have a gas water heater. Healdsburg also has an electric heat pump water heater rebate.

Find out more about rebates available at www.SmartLivingHealdsburg.org. 

View the FAQs about solar here.

As part of Healdsburg's continued effort to reduce GHG emissions, Healdsburg’s electric department reviewed the utility service and main service panel of our local Post Office. The purpose was to identify any limitation in our Post Office adopting electric postal trucks, such that the City could increase the utility service and speed the transition to a clean postal fleet. The white paper here shows the potential for the Post Office to add up to 11 new electric postal trucks without utility upgrades or significant changes to the main service panel.

Additionally, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) petitioned the U.S. EPA to accelerate EV adoption within Federal Fleets located in California. The State’s adopted Advanced Clean Fleets regulation requires affected state and local government fleets to incorporate zero-emitting on-road medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles and light-duty package delivery vehicles into their fleets, beginning in 2024. To enforce the State’s regulations on Federal Fleets, CARB requested a waiver of preemption from the U.S EPA. CARB’s requested wavier here was withdrawn by CARB in January 2025.

For more information on available resources and Healdsburg programs to support electric vehicle adoption, please visit www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/1000/Electric-Vehicles-E-Bikes.

All businesses operating in the City of Healdsburg (City) are required to obtain a business license. “Operating” is defined as ALL businesses within City limits including but not limited to fixed site, itinerant, mobile, non-profit, home-based, consignment, subcontractor, & web businesses, as well as business located outside City limits generating revenue from within the City such as contractors with a jobsite within the City, a service provider performing onsite within the City, Farmers Market vendors, etc. A separate license shall be required for each branch establishment or location. Only one license will be issued to each location covering all types of business at the same location (i.e., service, retail, wholesale, etc.).

Business licenses are non-transferrable.  Active businesses that change locations and/or ownership are required to file a new business license application. If your business changes location only, after completing your new application but before processing payment please email businesslicense@healdsburg.gov to see if you qualify for a fee waiver. A separate license shall be required for each branch establishment or location and include all types of business at a location (i.e., retail, service, professional, etc.). 

For most businesses, upon submission of a completed application and payment of the related license tax, a business license will be issued immediately. 

For those businesses that are exempt, or engaging in Taxi Services, Alcohol Beverage Sales, Firearm Sales, Cannabis Sales, or Message Services the completed application will be forwarded on to the appropriate departments for code review and clearance prior to acceptance of payment and license issuance. 

After license issuance, the Fire Department will review all completed Hazardous Materials Forms, the Public Works Department will review all completed Wastewater Discharge Applications, and the Planning and Building department will review zoning information. 

For additional information or questions about a City business license, please call (707) 431-3304, email businesslicense@healdsburg.gov or visit our offices located at City Hall, 401 Grove Street, Healdsburg.

To deliver electricity to our customers, the City owns generation plants (geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, natural gas) throughout northern California. Once the energy is produced, it is transported across the State’s transmission grid, a network of high-voltage powerlines, to the City’s substation at Badger Park. The City owns and operates the distribution powerlines that deliver electric power from the substation to our electric customers.

• “Electrical Grid 101: All You Need to Know!”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbPmsBmo03Y
• U.S. Department of Energy: “Understanding the Grid”https://www.energy.gov/articles/infographic-understanding-grid

 As with most things, there are no guarantees; this includes the supply of electric power. Planned maintenance, birds, squirrels, weather events, and the occasional car accident can cause power outages and customers should be prepared for these events. We do provide 24/7 on-call staff coverage to speed outage restoration after-hours and our maintenance and repair programs tend to prevent many outages from occurring. The emergency Utility Hotline can be reached by calling (707) 431-7000 or toll free at (855) 755-6586.

Call (707) 431-7000 or (855) 755-6586. You will be asked to enter your account’s phone number including the area code. Select the appropriate reason for your call and a live representative will assist you with your problem.

The City has and continues to implement best practices such as constant patrolling of electric lines, annual inspections, installing new equipment, and line clearance tree trimming. For example, the City completed system hardening work along North Fitch Mountain Road. This work strengthened the poles and wires while also moving conductors further away from trees. View the Wildfire Mitigation Plan for more information.

If there is a safety concern, the City will assess the situation and may shut down (de-energize) portions of the power lines. Power outages in Healdsburg are rare and the City’s proactive work – such as ongoing tree trimming and overhead line maintenance -- significantly reduces the need to de-energize lines, but electric outages and public-safety power shutdowns are still a possibility.

The areas most likely to experience power shutdowns are along the western slope of the ridge east of the golf course and adjacent to the City’s open spaces. These areas are within the City’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and by their nature have increased vegetation and risk of wildfire.

If the City needs to de-energize power lines in the event of a disaster such as a wildfire, the City will make every effort to communicate those shutdowns in advance via tools including NIXLE, emergency alerts on the City’s website, social media, and automated phone calls. The City is taking preventative measures to lessen or avoid the need for power shutdowns.

City utility customers can update their contact information by calling (707) 431-7000 or toll-free (855) 755-6586. You will be prompted to enter your phone number including the area code. Select option 2 and a live representative will assist you in updating your billing information.

The City has developed an emergency preparedness brochure (in both English and Spanish) to help the community better prepare for natural disasters in general. Included in the brochure is information on how to create an “emergency kit”. The brochure is available on the Emergency Services webpage here (bit.ly/CoHemergency).

Specific to a public-safety power shutdown, below are some actions that you, your family, friends, and neighbors should take to prepare.

• Sign up for the City’s emergency alerts via NIXLE by texting your zip code (95448) to 888777.
• Charge your cell phone and identify back-up charging methods for phones and other electronic devices.
• If the power does go out, make sure to turn off all unnecessary appliances such as stoves, clothing iron, hair dryers, lights, and/or curling irons.
• Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.
• Make sure you have a supply of bottled water. It is recommended to store one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
• Prepare or re-stock your emergency kit with flashlights, portable cell-phone chargers, fresh batteries, first aid supplies, cash, water, and food that will last up to five days.
• Keep emergency, family, and other important phone numbers accessible in hard copy
• Plan for any medical needs, such as ongoing prescriptions, medications that need refrigeration, or medical devices that require power.
• If you are dependent on an electric or battery-dependent medical technology such as a breathing machine, a power wheelchair or scooter, or home oxygen or dialysis, it is critical that you have a plan in place for an extended power outage.
• Plan ahead for the needs of pets and/or livestock.
• Know how to manually open your garage door or other access points of your property that rely on power.
• If you have a backup generator, make sure the generator is ready and safe to operate. Always follow the generator’s safety instructions and never refuel your generator while it’s running.
• Identify any unique needs of your family and loved ones should there be a loss of power.
• After power is restored remember to reset clocks, irrigation controls, programmable thermostats and other electronic devices.

The state’s transmission grid, a series of high-voltage power lines, is extremely reliable. The City does depend on PG&E’s transmission system to power the City’s sub-station, but the primary transmission feed does not run through fire-threat zones (Tier 2 or 3). While the City did lose its transmission source during the 2019 Kincade Fire, shutting down transmission lines is rare and citywide power outages are very unlikely.

It depends on the specific situation – it could be a few hours, 24 hours, or longer. Regardless of the reason for the power outage, the City will take every safe and sensible step to restore power as soon as possible. During widespread outages, the City will provide status updates through social media and NIXLE alerts of estimated times to restore power. We encourage the City’s electric customers to sign up for NIXLE by texting your zip code (95448) to 888777. Following the City’s Facebook and Nextdoor pages will also provide up-to-date and current information from the City.

Let the Utility department know if you are dependent upon medical devices requiring electricity or have limited mobility at bit.ly/UTILAFN or 707-431-3307.  We are committed to providing additional safety measures for customers who need energy for certain medical needs, including sending extra notifications. View examples of medical needs and recommended power outage preparations.

Flex Alerts are voluntary calls for consumers to conserve electricity. When the power system is stressed and available supply may be insufficient to meet expected demand, the State will be asking everyone to voluntarily conserve energy. You can help by taking these actions:

• Set thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (if health permits)
• Avoid using major appliances (such as dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, and ovens)
• Turn off all unnecessary lights
• Use fans for cooling instead of air conditioning 
• Unplug unused items or turn off power strips
• Avoid charging electric vehicles
• Turn off pool pumps

The City will communicate if a flex alert is expected. Your conservation efforts can help us avoid power outages or service interruptions. Find out more about flex alerts and sign up for notifications from the State at flexalert.org.

These additional resources can help you prepare for public-safety power shutdowns and wildfires.

• Healdsburg Emergency Services: https://ci.healdsburg.ca.us/460/Emergency-Services
• Fact sheet on public-safety power shutdowns: http://prepareforpowerdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Statewide_FactSheet_0503.pdf
• Disaster preparedness information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
• CAL FIRE wildfire preparedness information: http://www.readyforwildfire.org/

Please email electric@ci.healdsburg.ca.us with your questions and comments.