Show All Answers

1. What am I, the Instructor, responsible for?

As an independent contractor, you are responsible for creating your curriculum, providing your own supplies and equipment, and staffing your activity entirely on your own. Instructors are also responsible for submitting invoices each new session and completing Course Proposals.

2. How are instructors paid?

At the completion of the course session Instructors must submit an invoice for payment. The instructor will receive a percentage of the resident registration fee.

3. Are there any prerequisite items required before my proposed class(es) begins?

After completing the “New Instructor Process,” instructors are required to agree to a Contract of Recreation Services and provide required liability insurance. Instructors working with minors, 18 years and younger, must be fingerprinted and cleared with the Orinda Police Department prior to instruction beginning. To read the “New Instructor Process,” visit our Become an Instructor page.

4. Do I need to re-apply if not chosen in the first round?

New courses and instructors who are not selected or cannot be currently accommodated are placed on an instructor wait-list to be contacted at an appropriate time.

5. How are new classes and programs selected?

Once course proposals are received, an initial interview is held and references are checked. The City selects courses based on uniqueness, community demand, and high-quality instruction.

Show All Answers

1. How do I make a claim against the City

You would fill out a claim form and send it to the City Clerk

Show All Answers

1. What does it involve

- Getting to know your neighbors and working together.
- Implement crime prevention techniques and strategies in your home and neighborhood.
- Help to solve neighborhood problems through a partnership between you and your police department through community policing.
- Learn about other public and private agencies and resources to help solve neighborhood problems.

2. How do I get involved

If you know your neighborhood has an active Neighborhood Watch Group already formed, join it!

If there is not a group in your area and you would be interested in starting one, then contact the Police Department.

3. What happens at a meeting

Your neighborhood organizes and contacts the police department to set up a time and day. Meetings may be scheduled for any time of the day or evening and last about two hours. A police officer assigned to your area will attend your meeting. Meeting topics can be tailored to your group or the officer will cover general safety and crime prevention techniques.

You and your neighbors can plan to hold future meetings when you feel it is necessary. You can plan to hold a meeting on your own or invite a police officer to attend - it's up to you! For more information, contact the Police Department.

4. Neighborhood Watch Signs

Residents are responsible for the research and cost of Neighborhood Watch Signs. Residents must acquire approval for the placement of the signs from the Public Works Department. Public Works will, however, install the sign at no charge for labor. For more information contact Public Works at 925-253-4231.

Show All Answers

1. Where is the Orinda Community Center?

The Orinda Community Center is located at 28 Orinda Way, in between the Orinda Community Park and the Orinda Library.

2. How do I get to the Orinda Community Center?

From Walnut Creek: Take CA-24 W and take exit 9 from CA-24 W. Keep right, follow the signs for Orinda Village/Richmond and merge onto Camino Pablo. Turn right onto Santa Maria Way, and then take your first left onto Orinda Way. The Orinda Community Center will be on your right-hand side, just past the Orinda Library.

From Oakland: Take CA-24 E to Walnut/Creek and go through the Caldecott Tunnel. Take exit 9 toward Orinda/Moraga. Turn left onto Camino Pablo. Turn right onto Santa Maria Way, and then take your first left onto Orinda Way. The Orinda Community Center will be on your right-hand side, just past the Orinda Library.

From El Sobrante: Take San Pablo Dam Road and continue onto Camino Pablo. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Orinda Way. You will pass Safeway on the right and you will need to continue down Orinda Way just past the Orinda Community Park. The Orinda Community Center will be on your left-hand side, right next to the park.

3. Where do I register for classes, programs and/or sports leagues?

To access online registration, click on the following link and search for the age and program, and/or if you know the barcode assigned to the program, place that barcode in the search and select search.

Click Here

4. Are dogs allowed off leash in public parks or sports fields?

Under the City of Orinda's Municipal Code: (6.08.050), no person owning, possessing, harboring or controlling any animal shall allow such animal to be at large. "At large" means an animal, which either in this case, a dog, is not under effective restraint by a leash. (12.28.230) It is a violation to permit a dog on a sports field or to go into tot lots or sand play areas.

5. How do I reserve a facility?

1. Take a moment to review the policies and procedures provided in the Parks and Facility Rental Guide.

2. Check availability. Once the page opens select Facility availability on the left hand side of the screen and search the desired complex.

3. Complete/submit Facility Use Application and pay the appropriate deposit.

4. After a Rental Contract and Permit has been issued, sign and submit it back to the Parks and Recreation Office.
Please visit the Facility Reservations page.

6. How do I find out if a Sports Field is closed?

Field conditions are posted on the following webpage, http://ca-orinda.civicplus.com/229/Fields. Staff update this page if fields are closed due to wet weather during the work week (M-F), this page will be updated by 12:00 p.m. Staff also post Field Closures to the Department's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityOfOrindaParksandRec/).

Show All Answers

1. Fingerprinting (Livescan) Services ?

Mondays and Wednesdays, by appointment only. Please call (925) 254-6820. 

Show All Answers

1. How can a resident request pothole repair?

Requests for pothole repair should be directed to the Public Works Department at 253-4231. Please include the exact location and nature/extent of the problem. You can also send an email request through the Public Works Department.

2. What can the City do regarding overgrown vegetation along the roadside?

Property owners are responsible for maintaining minimum clearances on trees and shrubbery. Concerns regarding vegetation may be reported directly to the Public Works Department at 253-4231. The maintenance crew will be dispatched to assess the situation and will issue trimming notices if necessary. For more information, refer to our Vegetation Maintenance page.

3. Is a permit required to remove a tree?

Permit requirements depend upon the species and size of the tree, location, or development status of the parcel in question. Obtain further information from the Planning Department at 253-4210. If work is being done in the street or right-of-way, an Encroachment Permit may be required. To obtain an Encroachment Permit, contact the Public Works Department.

4. Is a permit required to replace/install a driveway?

An Encroachment Permit is generally required whenever a driveway is replaced or installed. To obtain an Encroachment Permit, contact the Public Works Department at 253-4231 or for more information refer to our Public Works Permits page.

5. Does the City repair or replace drain pipes/storm drains on private property?

With rare exceptions, drain pipes/storm drains on private property are the property owner's responsibility. Unless the deed specifies that a Drainage Easement for this facility was offered to, and accepted by the City (or County prior to 1985), maintenance of the drainage structure is the property owner's responsibility. To obtain further information, contact the Public Works Department.

6. Who is responsible for cleaning driveway culverts?

Property owners are responsible for maintaining clear-flowing driveway culverts. If a neighbor's culvert is obstructed and causing flooding, contact the Public Works Department at 253-4231.

7. Will the City investigate flooding caused by water flowing from a neighboring property?

The Public Works Inspector investigates such situations and will notify the property owner of City requirements regarding drainage.

Note that neighboring properties may have the right to drain water onto your property if it is part of a natural watercourse or an approved system of drainage.

Contact the Public Works Department at 253-4231. For full Contact information view the Public Works Department directory.

8. What agency issues sewer permits?

Sewer permits are issued by the Contra Costa Central Sanitary District at 925-228-9500. Permits must be obtained before installing or doing any work on the sewer line from your property to the main line.

If the work requires excavation in the street or right-of-way, an Encroachment Permit will also be required. Contact the Public Works Department at 253-4231, or for more information on Encroachment Permits view our Public Works Permits page.

9. What agency handles street light outages?

Report outages to the Public Works Department at 253-4231 or click here to email the information. Please provide the exact street location, the pole number, the type of pole, and any impediments to access. This information will be forwarded to PG&E, the agency responsible for maintaining the majority of streetlights for the City. For full contact information to the Public Works Department visit their directory.

10. How does a resident request traffic calming in their neighborhood?

The Orinda Neighborhood Traffic Management Program defines the process that residents can use to initiate requests for traffic calming measures in their neighborhood. View the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (PDF).

11. Does my project require a Drainage or Grading Permit?

Drainage and grading permits are issued by the Lamorinda office of the Contra Costa County Building Department in coordination with the City of Orinda Engineering Department.