Community Resources

Animal Control - 650-340-8200

Animal Control Website

PHS/SPCA is a private, nonprofit organization contracted by San Mateo County (and its cities) to provide state-mandated animal control services, including animal rescue, pick-up of stray/injured animals, removal of dead animals from public right-of-way (except freeways/highways which are maintained by CALTRANS), and enforcement of laws that protect animals and people. Barking dog complaints, patrols of parks (including dog parks), and situations where residents have too many animals or illegal animals, such as ferrets or alligators, are handled by each individual city – and not by PHS/SPCA. Also, PHS/SPCA is directed to pick-up dead or live wildlife on private property only when wildlife has had direct contact with humans and/or domestic animals, such as a bite/attack. PHS/SPCA prioritize all calls. For example, a call for a dog loose in traffic on the freeway will be prioritized over a call for a confined dog or a deceased dog or cat. Regardless, all of calls will be addressed. San Mateo County contracts PHS/SPCA to handle emergency calls within one hour of the time of the call, but our Animal Rescue & Control vehicles are not considered emergency vehicles by state law and our Officers must follow all traffic laws like all motorists. We are contracted, and appropriately staffed, to handle most other non-emergency calls within 24 hours of the time of the call, however, our actual response time is usually two to four hours.

Atherton Municipal Code

Atherton Municipal Code Website
The Atherton Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 618, passed January 20, 2016.

Disclaimer: The City Clerk's Office has the official version of the Atherton Municipal Code. Users should contact the City Clerk's Office for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

Atherton Community Meeting Information

Community Meeting - November 18, 2019

Child Abuse

Mobile Clinic

Are you concerned that a child you know may be the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation?

Do you know of a child who may be at risk of abuse?

If you know or suspect that a child is being abused, has been abused in the past, or is at risk of abuse, please call our 24-hour hotline at:
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
650-802-7922 or 800-632-4615

If a child is in immediate danger, please call 911.

Elder Advice Line (available 24 hours)

24-Hour Emergency & Advice Line for Aging Adults & Seniors
The TIES line is San Mateo County’s 24-hour information and emergency response line. It helps seniors, people with disabilities, dependent adults, and caregivers access the services they need to keep them safe. The TIES line is staffed by knowledgeable and experienced social workers and public health nurses.

Information and referral:
TIES line staff answer questions about the wide variety of services available through the County and in the community. The TIES line is the main entry point for services provided by the Aging and Adult Services Division.

Emergency response
If this is a life threatening emergency please call 911

Elder Abuse

See, Stop, Prevent: Dependent & Older Adult Abuse
For every reported case of older adult abuse, 24 cases go unreported. Help stop the cycle—it's everyone's business.

Do you suspect a loved one is experiencing abuse or are you experiencing abuse?

Call 1-800-675-8437 to speak to a trained counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential.

Hate Crimes

Prevent Hate Crime

In California, you can be a victim of a hate crime if you have been targeted because of your:

  • race or ethnicity,
  • nationality, religion,
  • gender, sexual orientation,
  • physical or mental disability, or
  • your association with a person or group with one or more these "actual" or "perceived" characteristics.

Atherton Police Department Hate Crime Policy 

Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services Website

For assistance in finding mental health and/or substance use services for someone who may be experiencing a mental illness and/or substance use condition, or for someone you are concerned about, call the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services ACCESS Call Center for information, an assessment and a referral based on individual needs.

ACCESS Call Center: Phone: (800) 686-0101, TDD: (800) 943-2833

Poison Control

California Poison Control System
The California Poison Control System (CPCS) provides immediate, free and expert treatment advice and referral over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous or toxic substances.

Pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and poison information providers answer the calls to 1-800-222-1222 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Language interpreters are always available.

Restraining Order Information

Temporary Restraining Orders Website
When there has been physical or emotional abuse, threats, stalking, harassment, or other acts of violence, you may apply to the Court for an order restraining a person from all contact with you, your children, and other family members; from living in the residence; and to stay away from you, your home, your vehicle, your residence, and the children's school and/or place child care.


San Mateo County Child Support Services

Child Support Services Website

The Department of Child Support Services serves the public by enhancing the quality of life for children and their families by helping parents meet the financial, medical and emotional needs of their children by establishing and enforcing child support orders in an effective, efficient and professional manner.

San Mateo County Children and Family Services

Children and Family Service Website

San Mateo County Children and Family Services help families understand and solve the issues that lead to child neglect, abuse or exploitation. In those cases when a child must be removed from the home for safety reasons, they help families resolve their issues as soon as possible so that the child can be returned to a safe and loving home. When a child cannot be reunited with the biological family, they help identify a suitable adoptive home or other safe and permanent living arrangement.

San Mateo County Frequently Requested Numbers

Most Requested Phone Numbers Website

Alcohol & Drug Help Line: (650) 573-3950
Services related to the use of alcohol and other drugs

Animal Control (650) 340-8200 (Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA)
The County contracts with the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS), a private non-profit organization, to enforce all animal control and anti-cruelty laws, shelter homeless animals, and provide a variety of other services.

Animal Control & Licensing (650) 573-3726

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services 1-800-686-0101

Birth Control 1-800-967-7526 (Planned Parenthood)

Birth and Death Certificates (650) 573-2395
Get a certified copy of a birth or death certificate

Environmental Health (650) 372-6200
Food vendor permits, restaurant complaints, housing inspections, toxic and hazardous waste questions, water quality monitoring, beach water testing and a variety of other environmental health-related services.

Health Insurance (650) 616-2002
Assistance with applying for free and low-cost health coverage programs

Health Plan of San Mateo (650) 616-0050
San Mateo County's local non-profit health care plan offering health coverage to County's underserved residents

Health System Switchboard (650) 573-2222
For all County services, including Health Department and San Mateo Medical Center. Switchboard is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Legal Aid (650) 558-0915
Free legal advice and assistance to disadvantaged residents of San Mateo County

Louise Rogers, Health System Chief (650) 573-2532 | Kimberlee Kimura, Director, Health System Administration (650) 573-3935

Mental Health line 1-800-686-0101
Access mental health services for you or someone in your family who may be experiencing serious mental illness or emotional disturbance

Mobile Clinic (650) 573-2786
For a schedule of clinic hours

San Mateo Medical Center (650) 573-2222

Stray/Dead Animal Pick-Up (650) 340-8200 (Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA)
The County contracts with the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS), a private non-profit organization, to enforce all animal control and anti-cruelty laws, shelter homeless animals, and provide a variety of other services.

TIES line 1-800-675-8437
24-hour information, advice and emergency response for seniors and adults with disabilities

San Mateo County Tax Collector and Revenue Services

Tax Collector Website
The San Mateo County Tax Collector, Treasurer, and Revenue Services websites can be found by clicking the above link.

San Mateo County Traffic Court Information

Traffic Court Website

A variety of online traffic services can be found at the above website; access your ticket/citation information, request a court date, traffic school information, and the statewide amnesty program.

San Mateo County Juror Services

Juror Services Website

Jury duty is a civic duty and on the above website you can learn about the process, check you jury duty status and more.

Substance Abuse

Behavioral Health Website

The Health System's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services offers a broad range of services for the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol disorders. They administer substance use prevention and treatment funds from federal, state and local sources and provide substance use consultation, assessment, linkages, and referrals to a network of contracted community-based substance use treatment providers throughout the County.

Alcohol and Other Drug treatment services include: detoxification services, outpatient, residential, and medication assisted treatment. Services are available to San Mateo County residents on sliding fee scale. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Priority admission is given to pregnant and parenting women.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Website

Suicide is preventable. You can be the one to help.

Most people who experience suicidal thoughts are in a temporary serious crisis, which can be prevented with your help. It’s up to us.

Help save a life by learning about:

Suicide warning signs
How you can help
Professional resources, suicide crisis hotlines and more help

What to Do in a Crisis:

Call 9-1-1
Guidelines for calling police during a mental health crisis.
Suicide Crisis Hotlines:
1-800-273-8255
(650) 579-0350
Text "START" to 741741

Go to the nearest emergency room. Psychiatric emergency services are available at:
San Mateo Medical Center
(650) 573-2662
222 West 39th Ave
San Mateo

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
(650) 696-5915
1501 Trousdale Drive
Burlingame