LOS ALTOS
www.ci.los-altos.ca.us
Los Altos is a bustling community, characterized by tree-lined streets and a village atmosphere. The city is seven square miles and is home to approximately 28,000 people and seven distinct commercial areas. Los Altos was incorporated as a city in 1952 to control development and annexation from neighboring cities. Incorporating as a city enabled Los Altos to preserve its rural roots, maintain lot sizes for single family homes and establish policies for commercial development. To this day, much of the small town charm remains and many of the values the city was founded on continue to prevail.
The city’s mission, maintaining and fostering Los Altos as a great place to live and raise a family, makes it possible for residents and businesses to enjoy the charm of a small town while being in close proximity to the innovation of Silicon Valley. Los Altos provides spacious lot sizes for residents to build or purchase their dream home, exceptional schools, walkable neighborhoods, parks and open space as well as friendly commercial areas that provide numerous services to the community. With all of these amenities and benefits, Los Altos is certainly an exceptional place to call home and conduct business.
City staff and government officials are dedicated to serving the residents and businesses within Los Altos. City Council is elected by the Los Altos community, and a new Mayor is elected by Council each November. City Council appoints the City Manager, who oversees the daily operation of the city organization.
The city is able to provide the community with necessary services through revenue received from property and sales tax as well as other fees for sewer services and development. The approved General Fund budget for fiscal year 2007 - 2008 is approximately $27.7 million.
The budget provides the necessary funding for needed services and programs implemented by the city’s six departments. City departments include Administration, Finance and Human Resources, Community Development, Police Services, Public Works and Recreation. Each department plays an important role in the daily operations of the city and ensures that quality services are provided throughout the community. Additionally, the city provides ongoing communication with the business community and business assistance through the economic development office.
The city strives to provide a business friendly atmosphere and works closely with the business community. Some of the ways the city works with local businesses includes providing development review for new construction and renovation of commercial properties, maintaining commercial areas by providing street sweeping, trash collection and landscape services, assisting community groups with special events, researching business inquiries and providing ongoing outreach to maintain and improve communication with the business community.
To do business with the city or if you have questions about living, working and visiting the community, stop by the Los Altos Civic Center located at One North San Antonio Road, or visit the city online at www.ci.los-altos.ca.us.
For dealings with specific departments, please contact the main department line:
Administration
City Clerk (650) 947-2720
City Manager (650) 947-2740
Finance (650) 947-2760
Human Resources (650) 947-2765
Community Development
Planning (650) 947-2750
Building (650) 947-2752
Police
Business - 24 hr. Assistance (650) 947-2770
Code Enforcement (650) 947-2775
Public Works
Engineering (650) 947-2780
Maintenance (650) 947-2785
Recreation (650) 947-2790
LOS ALTOS HILLS
www.losaltoshills.ca.gov
Los Altos Hills was incorporated in 1956 to preserve the rural atmosphere of the foothills surrounding Los Altos. Today it is one of the premier residential communities in the Bay Area.
Rising from just 200 feet above sea level to an elevation of more than 1,300 feet of rugged terrain, the town is comprised of 8.5 square miles. Population is estimated at 8,400.
The minimum lot size is set at one acre and many of the approximately 3,000 homes within the town limits are large and include such amenities as tennis courts, stables and swimming pools. Zoning prohibits any commercial enterprises or multifamily housing projects, although secondary units are permitted on single family lots. Los Altos Hills is a general law city with a Council-Manager form of government. The five member Council is elected for a four-year term and appoints the City Manager who administers Town operations. The Town has an operating budget of $7.13 million for fiscal year 2007-2008.
The Los Altos Hills City Council meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The Council appoints residents to serve on the Planning Commission, Library Commission, and on these standing committees: Community Relations, Education, Emergency Communications, Environmental Design & Protection, Environmental Initiatives, Finance & Investment, Historical, Open Space, Parks & Recreation, Pathways and Westwind Community Barn. The Council also appoints a Town Historian, Youth Commissioner and Exhibit Curator for art exhibits at the Town Hall.
For police protection, the Town contracts with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. Fire Protection, suppression and safety servicesare provided by the Los Altos Hills County Fire District. The District contracts with the Santa Clara County Fire Department for services.
Gas and electricity are provided by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., water by Purissima Hills Water District and California Water Service Co., refuse collection and recycling by Los Altos Garbage Company and telephone service by AT&T.
A unique system of pathways in Los Altos Hills is designed for all nonvehicular uses; school children, pedestrians, hikers, joggers, equestrians and bicyclists. Roadside paths, located within the road right of way, and cross-country paths, running along property lines or through conservation and open space easements create a network linking areas together where no through roads exist.
Business Resources
City of Los Altos
Economic Development
(650) 947-2620
Business License
(650) 947-2618
www.ci.los-altos.ca.us
Los Altos Chamber of Commerce
(650) 948-1455
www.losaltoschamber.org
Los Altos Village Association (LAVA)
(650) 949-5282
www.losaltos-downtown.org
North Valley Job Training Consortium (NOVA)
505 W. Olive Avenue, Suite 600
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 730-7232
www.novaworks.org
Small Business Administration (SBA), Cisco Systems
San Jose Entrepreneur Center
84 West Santa Clara Street, Suite 100
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 494-0210
www.ecenteronline.org
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Silicon Valley
700 Empey Way, Suite 110
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 278-7400
www.bbbsilicon.org
Other Licenses and Permits
Santa Clara County Environmental Health
Health regulations and permits for food services
(408) 918-3400
State Board of Equalization
Resale permit: for selling tangible personal property
(408) 277-1231
State of California Community Care Licensing
Child daycare licensing: home daycare and daycare centers
(408) 324-2148
Federal Tax ID Number: Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-1040
Franchise Tax Board
(800) 852-5711
State Alcohol and Beverage Control
(408) 277-1200
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