Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Updates and Information
We’re working hard to keep you safe
Tenth Street Place, which acts as the main hub for City of Modesto and Stanislaus County offices, reopened to the public on May 18 for business that cannot be conducted online or by phone. The City’s normal business hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for public assistance, though many offices close for lunch from noon to 1 pm.
As we continue to operate amid the COVID-19 virus, the health and well-being of our customers and employees is our number one priority. When coming to Tenth Street Place, the public is asked to adhere to the CDC guidelines for proper distancing and hygiene, and to not come to our offices if experiencing flu-like symptoms. Visitors are encouraged to wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth at all times, and practice keeping a distance of six feet from others when in the facility.
Based on social distancing standards, building security may limit the number of visitors allowed at any one time.
Many of the services available to the public at Tenth Street Place are also available online, by phone, or by mail. Following is a list of services available to the public online or by phone (a full list is available on this page, farther below):
- Pay utility bills, parking citations, business license fees, and other invoices
- Start and stop utility services
- Request payment arrangements or extensions
- Commercial and residential landscape plan check inquiries and inspection scheduling
REMEMBER, call ahead or review below for information on what services you can complete from the comfort of your home.
In accordance with the ongoing order related to mass gatherings, City Council and other committee meetings will continue to be held online, by email, and by telephone. Click here for more information.
For services or questions by phone, call (209) 577-5200.
For the latest COVID-19 information provided by our local Public Health Officials, follow StanEmergency on Facebook or visit the StanEmergency website.
- City Facilities Access & Closures
- Utility Billing, Finance, and Customer Service
- City Services
- Planning/Building Divisions & Resources for Businesses/Vendors
- Meeting Cancellations
Announcements related to City facilities and buildings services, operations, and meetings
The following (and under the tabs above) is a comprehensive list of in-person, by phone, online, or by email services (updated for the 5/18 reopening of City Hall/Tenth Street Place).
General Call Center
- The call center at 209-577-5200 is fully staffed and prepared for your questions about City services and operations. Our average wait time has been 2 - 3 minutes.
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhoods
The following interactions with the Parks department can be made by phone (209) 577-5344 or email: recreation@modestogov.com
- Park and facility rental reservations (Subject to Governor’s Orders)
- Commercial and residential landscape plan checks inquiries and inspection scheduling
- Parks planning inquiries
- Parks construction inquiries
- Community-driven park project inquiries
- Community center inquiries
4th Floor of Tenth Street Place reopen 5/18. No appointment needed; closed for lunch noon to 1 pm.
- Park and facility rental reservations (Subject to Governor’s Orders)
- Special Event application submissions
- Process cash or check payments
- Issue alcohol permits
Many outdoor recreation areas reopened on April 24, 2020. Creekside and Dryden golf courses; parks and playground equipment; tennis, pickle ball, basketball, and volleyball courts; and the dog park are open. Playgrounds and activities with shared equipment may be engaged by members of the same household only. Please continue to maintain social distancing with non-household members.
The following is not a complete list of all City facility and building closures, but will be updated as more details become available:
- Modesto Senior Center: Closed until further notice. Senior Meal Program will provide boxed lunches for pick up (call 209-480-4337).
- Maddux Youth Center: Closed until further notice.
- Neighborhood Center at Marshall Park: Closed until further notice.
- King Kennedy Memorial Center:
- Airport Neighborhood Community Center: Closed until further notice.
- McHenry Mansion and Museum: Closed until further notice. For more information, call (209) 577-5235 or email Laura.
- Mary Grogan Park and Soccer Complex: Closed until further notice.
- Modesto Centre Plaza: Closed until further notice. For more information, call (209) 577-6444 or email Kamica or Stacey.
- Muni Golf Course
The following is a comprehensive list of in-person, by phone, online, or by email services (updated for the 5/18 reopening of City Hall/Tenth Street Place).
General Call Center
- The call center at 209-577-5200 is fully staffed and prepared for your questions about City services and operations. Our average wait time has been 2 - 3 minutes.
Business Licenses
- Report and pay business license taxes
- Pay balance due on business license account
- Download new business license application
- Download SB205 Form
- Check listings for licensed businesses
Email (businesslicense@modestogov.com):
- Submit completed SB205 Form
- Submit New Business Application
- Request a copy of quarterly report
- Ask business license related questions
- Submit Name change documentation
- Submit location change documentation
Phone (209) 577-5200:
- Speak with a representative regarding business license account or business license related questions
- Request a copy of quarterly report
Mail (1010 10th Street, Modesto CA 95354)
- Pay business license tax and/or balance due
- Remit new business license application
- Remit SB205 application
- Final and close business license account
- Submit Name change documentation
- Submit location change documentation
Misc. Accounts Receivable
Includes: Admin Citations, Airport hangar fees, cell tower rent, compost sales, retiree benefit payments, property damage bills, monthly rent bills
Phone (209) 577-5303 or email (ar@modestogov.com):
- Request Lien Payoffs/demand notices
- Request copies of invoices
- Pay invoices
- Check account balances
Parking Citations
- Pay a citation
- Appeal a citation
- Look up a citation received
Phone (209) 571-5140:
- Set up payment plan
- Speak with a representative regarding a citation received
- Request an appeal form
- Speak with a representative about appeal options/timeline
- Inquire about residential parking permits
Utility Billing
- Sign up for new service
- Pay a deposit for new service
- Close an account
- Make a one-time payment
- Schedule a one-time payment
- Set up recurring payments
- View account information including consumption, payment, and billing history
- View a copy of your bill
Phone:
- Sign up for new service
- Move an existing service to a new address
- Pay a deposit for new service
- Close an account
- Make a one-time payment through our automated system
- Speak with a representative regarding a utility account
- Set up a payment arrangement
- Request a payment extension
- Listen to account information such as payment and billing history through automated system
- Request a copy of your bill
The City of Modesto offers a Utility Billing Assistance program for qualifying customers who can receive a $35 discount each monthly billing cycle. To learn more visit the Billing Assistance page or call (209) 577-5395.
For the foreseeable future, the City of Modesto Utility Billing Division will not be disconnecting water service for non-payment of your utility bill. We would like to reassure our customers that the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will not impact the delivery of reliable, clean water for our residents and businesses.
At this time we are strongly encouraging our customers to use resources such as our online and phone payment options. The Utility Billing Division has representatives available by phone at (209) 577-5395 Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm to provide assistance with your utility bill, including activating new service, making payment arrangements, or requesting a payment extension.
City Services
All City services continue, but residents and businesses may experience a slower pace in response times. We must operate safety within the orders from health officials, and therefore have many employees working remotely or in shifts. Here are some specific examples:
- Call Center
- The call center at 209-577-5200 is fully staffed and prepared for your questions about City services and operations. Our average wait time has been 2 - 3 minutes.
Forestry
- There will be some delays for tree pruning related activities, as crews are currently addressing dead and hazardous trees as a priority.
- The division is drenching trees susceptible to honeydew drip in order to minimize honeydew dripping on public and private properties this summer.
- Crews are pruning trees that residents have requested service for as a second priority. Crews are also providing clearance pruning in cases where trees have been inspected and some form of service has been identified as necessary to ensure the safety of the public and or the health of the tree.
- For after-hours or emergency service requests, call (209) 342-2253.
Green Waste & Street Sweeping
- Collection of green waste piles is running at normal staffing levels, though crews are running a bit behind schedule. Do not hesitate to call if you notice any dangerous piles of organic debris: (209) 577-5463.
- For the month of April, crews will not be able to pick up green waste as part of the normal routine unless there is an urgent need.
- Street sweeping crews are operating at normal staffing levels, though the community should expect streets will likely not be swept on traditional days.
Traffic Operations & Engineering
- Traffic Signal Maintenance crews are out sanitizing pedestrian crossing push buttons.
- Street re-striping will occur upon emergency requests only at this time.
- Because of an overall decrease in vehicles throughout the City, we’ve noticed an increase in requests about stop delays at intersections without cars. Due to the decrease in staffing, we cannot change timing at all City signals. This means more staff time is given to the major corridors in an effort to keep the majority of the cars moving. Because of the decreased volume of cars on the road, there may be an assumption that the signals may not be working right.
Transit
- Modesto Area Express (MAX) will be offering free fares on all fixed routes through July 31.
- MAX is currently operating at normal service levels, except for reduced service to the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train.
- MAX to ACE Commuter Express will offer service to the ACE Train for ACE 1 and 3 in the morning and ACE 4 and 8 in the afternoon only.
- MAX to BART will continue to operate its weekday schedule.
- There are no changes to Modesto Area Dial-A-Ride (MADAR) service.
- Please remember to travel for essential needs only. MAX appreciates your understanding and would like to emphasize our commitment to rider health and safety.
- Employees are now routinely cleaning and sanitizing the transit center, Amtrak station, parking equipment, and bus shelters and benches.
Parks Operations & Maintenance
- Our tagging abatement crew continues as normal throughout the City responding to tagging and graffiti.
- Parks remain closed, and park restrooms are now closed to deter vandalism.
Recreation
- Although most of our programming as been cancelled or postponed for now, our recreation team is looking for creative ways to engage the community. Be on the lookout for a fun Camp at Home activity on March 27, and get more information by going to their Facebook page.
Water Operations
- All water and waste water services to and from our customers remain completely operational as normal.
- Reduced staffing levels to half of normal, and response to customer requests may be slightly delayed.
Several specific services and corresponding phone numbers are listed below:
| Office | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Building Permits | (209) 577-5232 |
| Business Licenses | (209) 577-5389 |
| City Council and Mayor | (209) 571-5169 |
| Park and Facility Reservations | (209) 577-5344 |
| Risk Management and Claims | (209) 577-5411 |
| Transit Services | (209) 577-5292 |
| Utility Billing and Customer Service | (209) 577-5395 |
The following is a comprehensive list of in-person, by phone, online, or by email services (updated for the 5/18 reopening of City Hall/Tenth Street Place).
Community & Economic Development will be open by appointment only. Appointments can be set by calling the respective division for which you’d like to set an appointment with.
- Building Safety & Neighborhood Preservation Unit: (209) 577-5232
- Planning: (209) 577-5267
- Community Development: (209) 577-5211
- Land Development & Engineering / Transportation, Engineering & Design: (209) 652-0308
- Administration / Economic Development: (209) 571-5566
Please note that only one person should attend the appointment. For questions, please feel free to call the division or the main CED line at (209) 571-5566.
Planning
Planning is now accepting development and construction applications via mail or delivery (City Hall security can assist).
- Zoning of property
- Explanation of Zoning and allowed uses
- General Plan Designation of property
- Explanation of General Plan
- Submit development pre-applications
Phone (209) 577-5267:
- Speak with staff regarding clarification of, or questions about, above designations
- Speak with staff to ask questions or make comments about a project
- Submit requests for clarification of or questions about designations
- Submit questions or concerns about projects
Mail (1010 10th Street, Modesto CA 95354):
- Submit applications
- Pay application fees
- Notifications about a project
- Request for numerical address – with payment to follow via mail
Building
- Over The Counter Permits (Reroofs, Water heaters, Electrical or HVAC Change outs)
- Commercial Project Updates
- Permit Research
- Submit a Neighborhood Complaint
- Look Up Codes
- View an Assessor’s Plot Map
- Check Your Zoning
Email:
- Apply For A Plan Review (Email applications to permits@modestogov.com)
- Residential Remodels and Additions
- Tenant Improvements
- New Commercial Construction
- Apply For a Solar Permit (Email applications and plans to permits@modestogov.com)
- Expedited Permits, TI Tuesdays/Permits Express Appointments (Email a request for a web conference meeting to permits@modestogov.com)
- Apply For A Banner Permit (Email form to permits@modestogov.com)
Phone:
- General Questions (209) 577-5232
- Inspection Requests: Call the Automated IVR System at 209-571-5881
Building has implemented an electronic plan review format, which allows electronic submittals, checks and communication, so there is no reduction in the number of permits to be reviewed.
Resources for Modesto businesses
Click here for the Economic Development page of COVID-19 related guides and assistance.
You can apply for a business license by using the application online and by email.
Businesses can continue to make tax payments online at, if you any issues or questions we are available by phone at (209) 577-5389 or email.
The City of Modesto has extended the deadline for any Business License Collection notice or Business License Citation to April 17, 2020. As always you can contact our office at (209) 577-5389.
Vendors
The City appreciates the dedication and extra effort in ensuring deliveries are met for essential items and parts to keep our operations functioning. The City will continue to issue payments to our vendors for the goods and services provided to the City during this closure. All checks will be mailed and will be unavailable for pick-up at City Hall.
The following City meetings have been cancelled until further notice:
Golf Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Committee
Charter Review Committee
City Press Releases & News
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May 2020 City Manager’s Monthly Report
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The COVID-19 information below comes directly from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Para la versión en español de la página CDC COVID-19, haga clic aquí.