The Community Facilities Element presents information about County provision of four major community services and facilities: police, fire, water, and sewer. Other community facilities and services are discussed, including schools, childcare, waste management, and telecommunications.

This Element describes and maps the sphere of influence of each of Marin's eleven cities. Sphere of influence and urban service area designations are important because they affect the provision of services. The sphere of influence designates the probable ultimate boundary and service area of a local government agency. An urban service area delineates where urban development patterns can best be accommodated within the sphere of influence during the next five to ten years. Eight of Marin's eleven cities are considering minor changes to their sphere of influence boundaries.

Two water districts serve the City-Centered Corridor: the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) and the North Marin Water District (NMWD). The MMWD serves the southern Marin area. The MMWD obtains its water supply from several reservoirs within its boundaries and from an intertie line to the Russian River. At buildout (estimated at 2025 in the MMWD's Master Plan), the District estimates a water demand of 38,600 acre-feet to 41,800 acre feet. In November 1992, voters approved a bond issue to finance a pipeline that will carry more Sonoma County water to the MMWD. With additional water from Sonoma County and aggressive conservation programs, the MMWD will have enough water (40,000 acre-feet) to serve existing and future development until the year 2025. A moratorium, enacted in February 1989, was lifted in March 1993.

The North Marin Water District (NMWD) provides water to the City of Novato and surrounding areas. The NMWD has two water sources: Stafford Lake and the Russian River (via an aqueduct connection to the Sonoma County Water Agency aqueduct system). These contractual rights allow the District to meet future demand; however, these contractual rights are not considered permanent and NMWD is negotiating with the Sonoma County Water Agency for an additional water supply of approximately 6,900 acre-feet. The additional water from Sonoma will increase NMWD's normal safe annual yield to 17,750 acre-feet.

In West Marin, the Bolinas Public Utility District (BPUD) continues to enforce a long-term moratorium because of water capacity limitations. The District plans to improve its system in order to alleviate the supply and demand imbalance. While other West Marin water service agencies appear to have sufficient water supply to serve existing and projected population, capacity may be restricted in peak demand periods.

Although many sewer systems have been upgraded in recent years, problems of infiltration exist in some of the older systems. Some districts will need to undergo major plant expansion projects in order to accommodate development potential. In particular, the Las Gallinas Sanitary District and the Novato Sanitary District will need to expand their capacity in order to serve the large parcels anticipated for development within the next ten years.

Fire protection services are generally adequate. However, narrow winding roads limit access in some areas. The Marin County Board of Supervisors has adopted an ordinance which requires installation of sprinkler systems in new structures and substantial remodels. Other community services, such as police protection and school facilities, are adequate and can be expanded as the population grows.

In order to maximize the efficiency of existing facilities, the objectives, policies, and implementation programs of this Element encourage growth in areas where services and facilities are available.