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| Planning and Managing Your Move |
If you meet all the other requirements to vote in California, but did not become a California resident until less than 15 days before the next election, you still can register to vote and cast a ballot during a presidential election only. To do this, visit your county elections office at least seven days before Election Day and sign an affidavit declaring you are eligible to vote in California and have not voted in the same election in any other state.
PET LICENSING AND LEASH LAWS
Pet Licensing laws are different in every county in California, contact your county’s local office for the specific requirements, but the following is the information that applies to San Francisco.
Owning a dog in San Francisco means obtaining a proper pet license with no exceptions. Dog licenses have many benefits, one of which is the sign that the dog has all its vaccinations and does not carry the threat of rabies. License tags also are the quickest way of returning a dog to its owner. Unlike microchips, license tags are clearly visible and do not require a scanning device.
Dog licenses are required by law and must be renewed every year ($21 for a neutered dog and $52 for a non-neutered dog), or a two- or three-year license can be purchased at a cost savings (e.g., a three-year license for a neutered dog equates to getting one year free). All registration fees are half price for senior citizen dog owners. For a dog to be licensed, owners must provide a recent rabies vaccination certificate. Owners are charged a $25 late fee for not renewing their license after 30 days from the expiration date. New residents have 30 days to obtain a license. It is not required to license cats, but it makes them easier to identify if they are lost and costs only $12 for lifetime registration.
The city of San Francisco also mandates that dogs are leashed or tethered at all times in public areas; however there are more than 15 Dog Play Areas (DPAs) throughout the city where dog leashes are not required. A color-coded brochure about the locations is located at www.sfrecpark.org/documents/DogBrochure.pdf. San Francisco’s DPAs are noted for their large space (between 10,000 and 30,000 square feet) and their subtle presence in the larger community.
Commuting and Transportation
Commuters in the San Francisco Bay Area have a variety of transportation options available to them. Similar to other urban centers, residents learn that driving a car poses more challenges than learning to utilize mass transit. In San Francisco, nearly one-third of residents rely on public transit as their primary means of commuting. Following are some of the other options available to residents of the area.
Utilities
— Electricity and Gas
In the San Francisco Bay Area, Pacific Gas and Electric Company supplies gas and electricity. Service requests may be completed over the phone by calling (800) 743-5000 or going online at www.pge.com. The company provides natural gas and electric service to approximately 15 million people throughout a 70,000-square-mile service area in northern and central California.
In an effort to provide a greener environment and cut energy use and costs, Pacific Gas and Electric has instituted a voluntary SmartMeter™ program that uses technology that is the cornerstone of the Smart Grid that will modernize the electrical system to be stronger, smarter and more efficient. The program allows customers to better understand and reduce their energy use and monthly costs, which is the gateway to increased energy efficiency and integrated renewable energy sources. SmartMeter™ is the first step in a larger Smart Grid effort that is driving a new green technology industry in California to help it keep pace with the needs of tomorrow.
PET LICENSING AND LEASH LAWS
Pet Licensing laws are different in every county in California, contact your county’s local office for the specific requirements, but the following is the information that applies to San Francisco.
Owning a dog in San Francisco means obtaining a proper pet license with no exceptions. Dog licenses have many benefits, one of which is the sign that the dog has all its vaccinations and does not carry the threat of rabies. License tags also are the quickest way of returning a dog to its owner. Unlike microchips, license tags are clearly visible and do not require a scanning device.
Dog licenses are required by law and must be renewed every year ($21 for a neutered dog and $52 for a non-neutered dog), or a two- or three-year license can be purchased at a cost savings (e.g., a three-year license for a neutered dog equates to getting one year free). All registration fees are half price for senior citizen dog owners. For a dog to be licensed, owners must provide a recent rabies vaccination certificate. Owners are charged a $25 late fee for not renewing their license after 30 days from the expiration date. New residents have 30 days to obtain a license. It is not required to license cats, but it makes them easier to identify if they are lost and costs only $12 for lifetime registration.
The city of San Francisco also mandates that dogs are leashed or tethered at all times in public areas; however there are more than 15 Dog Play Areas (DPAs) throughout the city where dog leashes are not required. A color-coded brochure about the locations is located at www.sfrecpark.org/documents/DogBrochure.pdf. San Francisco’s DPAs are noted for their large space (between 10,000 and 30,000 square feet) and their subtle presence in the larger community.
Commuting and Transportation
Commuters in the San Francisco Bay Area have a variety of transportation options available to them. Similar to other urban centers, residents learn that driving a car poses more challenges than learning to utilize mass transit. In San Francisco, nearly one-third of residents rely on public transit as their primary means of commuting. Following are some of the other options available to residents of the area.
- Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) serves San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and the surrounding municipalities to the east of San Francisco and down the Peninsula to the south of the city. East Bay residents use the regional transportation system more than any other community.
- San Francisco’s cable cars and vintage streetcars are just one part of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) fleet. Subway and surface light-rail vehicles as well as electric and diesel buses transport more than 200 million passengers per year. Muni has been hailed by Metro magazine as one of the most improved transit systems in the United States since its 1912 beginning.
- AC Transit buses and ferries, with direct links to Muni lines, also serve the East Bay
- Caltrain is also available and used by many Peninsula residents to access the city. Currently there are plans to bring Caltrain directly into downtown San Francisco.
- City CarShare (www.citycarshare.org) is another mode of transportation for commuters. Established in 2001, the nonprofit City CarShare program operates a fleet of hundreds of fuel-efficient vehicles, including electrics and hybrids, for its members who use cars by the hour. The successful program conserves natural resources and reduces parking demand while providing around-the-clock access at nearly 200 locations for members who can get around the hassles of car payments, maintenance costs or insurance premiums.
- Zipcar (www.zipcar.com) is another car-sharing service available in the Bay Area. Members can reserve cars online or by phone and have automated access to any Zipcar across North America by using a "Zipcard" to unlock the door and drive away. With Zipcar, gas, parking and insurance are included.
Utilities
— Electricity and Gas
In the San Francisco Bay Area, Pacific Gas and Electric Company supplies gas and electricity. Service requests may be completed over the phone by calling (800) 743-5000 or going online at www.pge.com. The company provides natural gas and electric service to approximately 15 million people throughout a 70,000-square-mile service area in northern and central California.
In an effort to provide a greener environment and cut energy use and costs, Pacific Gas and Electric has instituted a voluntary SmartMeter™ program that uses technology that is the cornerstone of the Smart Grid that will modernize the electrical system to be stronger, smarter and more efficient. The program allows customers to better understand and reduce their energy use and monthly costs, which is the gateway to increased energy efficiency and integrated renewable energy sources. SmartMeter™ is the first step in a larger Smart Grid effort that is driving a new green technology industry in California to help it keep pace with the needs of tomorrow.
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