Community Development

Poplar BeachCity Hall and the Permit Counter are open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Appointments with Building and Planning Division staff are recommended. Staff also process electronic submittals. Contact information follows:


Building Permits: Benjamin Corrales, Permit Technician (bcorrales@hmbcity.com) or (650) 712-6660


Building Inspection: Please refer to the Building Inspections page.

Code Enforcement: Joe Butcher (jbutcher@hmbcity.com or (650) 726-8285 


Department Head: Leslie Lacko (Community Development Director) llacko@hmbcity.com or (650) 825-4933


Planning Inquiries and Permits:  Call (650) 726-8270 or email planning@hmbcity.com for an appointment or to leave a message for a Planner.


Public Hearings:  Sign up to receive agendas here for Planning Commission and/or Community Development Director Hearings


*Scam Alert: Phishing Emails Targeting Half Moon Bay Residents and Businesses*

The City of Half Moon Bay has been made aware of a phishing scam targeting residents and businesses. Scammers are posing as City staff and requesting payment via wire transfer or gift cards for fraudulent invoices or services. These messages may look official, but they are not from the City.

Please remember:
🔹 The City will never ask you to send a wire transfer or pay using gift cards.
🔹 If you're ever unsure about the legitimacy of a message claiming to be from the City, call us directly at (650) 726-8270.

Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and their emails and calls can look surprisingly real. Protect yourself with these tips:

💡 Tips to Avoid Scams:

  • Verify the sender: Check the email address carefully. Official City emails will come from an @hmbcity.com address.
  • Don’t click suspicious links: If you weren’t expecting an invoice or payment request, it’s likely a scam.
  • Call to confirm: When in doubt, contact City Hall directly to verify the request.
  • Look for red flags: Urgent demands, spelling errors, or requests for gift cards are common signs of fraud.
  • Report it: If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the Sheriff’s Non-Emergency Line at 650-363-4911. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

Your safety and trust are our top priorities. Stay alert—and share this message with friends and neighbors so we can keep our community safe together.



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