Report a Problem
Report a Problem
Report a problem with your apartment, a meal you ate at a restaurant, or find out how to dispose of a dead animal on your property.
Click here to file an Environmental Health Services complaint for food, housing, swimming pools, illegal dumping of hazardous waste, discharge to storm drain system, or failed septic system.
Restaurants
San Mateo County Environmental Health Services works to keep your food safe to eat. Food program staff:
Housing
New! Apply Online with MyEHS
You can now apply for housing permits, pay invoices, and manage your permits online using MyEHS.
Payments cannot be made to or accepted by inspectors. Payments must be made in person at the Environmental Health Services office, by mail, by phone at (650) 372-6200, or online through the MyEHS Portal.
Safe, healthy housing is a shared responsibility between property owners and tenants. Property owners must maintain buildings in compliance with health and safety standards, while tenants help by keeping their living spaces sanitary and reporting concerns promptly. Environmental Health Services supports this partnership by conducting periodic inspections of multi-family dwellings to identify and address violations.
Property Owners and Managers
Prevent and address common housing violations before your next inspection, learn more about your responsibilities as a landlord, and find additional resources.
Tenants
Complaints
Environmental Health Services can only respond to complaints made about rental properties (apartment buildings of 4 units or more, or rental homes with water or septic system issues), hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, mobile home parks (within unincorporated San Mateo County), detention facilities, and organized camps.
Environmental Health Services does not handle complaints in or about:
- The City of San Mateo, City of San Carlos, single-family homes, duplexes, or triplexes. If your complaint involves one of these areas or property types, contact your local code enforcement department directly.
- Townhomes or condominiums. Contact the owner, HOA, or obtain legal advice.
- Asbestos. Report asbestos complaints to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) by calling 1-800-334-6367 or online
- Housing Authority, HUD, or Section 8. Call the San Mateo County Department of Housing at (650) 802-3300.
Call (650) 599-1112 or use the Online Complaint Form to file a complaint about:
- Leaking roofs
- Faulty plumbing
- Inadequate heating
- Substandard electrical problems
- Pests (including rodents and cockroaches)
- Mold
- Lead
Pests & Wildlife
To file a complaint about pests (including rodents and cockroaches) in these places:
- Rental properties (apartment buildings with 4 units or more)
- Hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts
- Mobile home parks (within unincorporated San Mateo County)
- Organized camps
- Employee housing
- Detention facilities
Call (650) 599-1112 or use the Online Complaint Form.
Stormwater Pollution
Only stormwater is allowed to enter into the storm drain. The cities and County of San Mateo protect stormwater from pollution by inspecting industrial and commercial businesses, managing construction and redevelopment activities, and providing education and outreach to businesses and residents of San Mateo County. Help protect our community and waterways by reporting stormwater pollution when you see it.
Environmental Pollution
The Hazardous Materials Program protects public health and safety and the environment from improper handling and/or disposal of hazardous materials.
If you are aware of suspected illegal or unauthorized activity that might impact public health or the environment, please report it by filing out the Online Complaint Form or calling (650) 372-6200.