SAN DIEGO - All City of San Diego offices will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Each year, City employees can voluntarily take time off without pay on “furlough days” during the holidays to reduce the City’s operating costs. Dec. 26-27 and Dec. 30-31 have been designated as this year’s furlough days. Employee participation in the program will reduce staffing levels in a number of departments. Citizens are urged to call or visit City offices before or after the holiday period to transact business or inquire about specific services.

Other holiday schedule changes for the City are as follows:

• Public Safety. Public safety operations such as fire suppression, lifeguard services, and police patrol services will be fully staffed through the holiday period; police investigative services will operate with a reduced staff.
  
• Cashiering and Business Tax Services: The City Treasurer’s Office also will be closed at noon Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. The Collections Office will close at 1 p.m. Dec. 24 but be open during regular business hours on Dec. 31. Water bill payments can be made at the Water Department, 600 B St., 11th floor, or at various independent payment centers throughout the City. For locations of these centers, call 619-515-3500.
• Recreation Centers and Golf Courses: Both Torrey Pines and Balboa Municipal golf courses will remain open on the holidays. Citizens should call their local recreation center for additional changes to regular hours. For information about the operating hours of the City’s lakes, call 619-465-3474.
  
• Parking Meters: City parking meters will not be enforced on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. All other parking restrictions will be in effect and enforced on those days, including restricted parking zones and areas under the jurisdiction of the Port District.
  
• Refuse Collection/Landfill: Refuse collections normally scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will be made one day later both weeks. The City’s Miramar Landfill will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 and open on other days during the holiday period from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  
• Libraries: On Dec. 24, all libraries will close at 5:30 p.m., except Mission Valley, which closes at 6 p.m. Dec. 26-31, the following libraries will be open: Central, City Heights, Malcolm X, Mira Mesa, Mission Valley, Otay Mesa, Pacific Beach, San Carlos and Rancho Peñasquitos, except that Rancho Peñasquitos will be closed Dec. 29. Hours vary; please call in advance. All other locations will be closed from Dec. 25 – Jan. 1.
  
• Permits and Plan Review: From Dec. 26-27 and on Dec. 30-31, limited permit issuance and inspections will be available from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Development Services Department’s Inspection Services Division, 9601 Ridgehaven Court, Suite 220, 858-492-5070. Inspections are scheduled through the InspectionLine Service at 858-581-7111. Permits requested through the PermitFax or online SimplEpermit will be issued from Dec. 26-31, however there may be a delay. In addition, transportation permits will be available on those days by calling 619-446-5214 or 619-446-5248. Customers anticipating a need for construction plan review or permits or a review of property construction records or zoning from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1 are urged to complete the process before Dec. 25. This especially applies to customers who need records or permits to complete real estate transactions or other work by Dec. 31, 2002.
  
• Community Service Centers. City community service centers will be closed Dec. 26, 27, 30, and 31, with the exception of the College/Rolando Community Service Center at 4704 College Avenue and the Clairemont Community Service Center at 4731 Clairemont Drive. All normal service center services will be available at College/Rolando and Clairemont on those days, including City passes for the Transportation Alternatives Program, payments for water bills and traffic citations, City employment applications and information, and passport and notary services. Community Service Center hours are 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.- 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Friday.

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