The Historic Downtown Martinez welcome arch over Marina Vista Avenue

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Martinez, in short

How do I find out whether my Martinez home is in a fire hazard severity zone?

Three ways, says the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District: the Natural Hazard Disclosure Report should identify it, CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone viewer shows it, or you can email the parcel’s address to the District. The District lists a Martinez map, and by our reading of the State’s map, parts of the city are High or Moderate.

The story of Martinez

Martinez, on the Carquinez Strait, the County Seat of Contra Costa since 1850.

Martinez began as a ferry crossing and a trading post, and the City calls it a gold rush and shipping boomtown. John Muir spent the last 24 years of his life here, the National Park Service says.

Don Ygnacio Martinez, the early 19th century commandante of the Presidio of San Francisco, received a 17,000-acre land grant from the Mexican government in 1824 that first brought him to the Alhambra Valley, the City’s history page says. The City was named after him in 1849.

The Contra Costa County Historical Society’s essay says a ferry across the Strait to Benicia ran, with a few breaks, from 1847 until the Benicia-Martinez Bridge opened in September 1962, and that the first trading post appeared in 1849, followed by the first residences. A second essay says accounts tell of up to 200 wagons waiting for transport across the Strait.

From a trading post in 1849 to incorporation in 1876, the City’s page says, Martinez was a gold rush and shipping boomtown, where early settlers of the county bought, sold and shipped their goods. One of them, the City says, “created the popular drink known as the ‘Martini’.”

Martinez was declared the County Seat of Contra Costa in 1850, the City’s history page says.

Dr. John Strentzel, a Polish immigrant who came to California by way of Texas, moved his family to Martinez in 1853, the County Historical Society says, and became one of the new town’s wealthiest and most respected citizens. The park district says he experimented in the Alhambra Valley with over a thousand varieties of fruits, nuts and grapes.

The local newspaper began operation in 1858, the City says, and by 1860 Martinez was the shipping port for grain from Diablo to the Livermore Valley.

The County Historical Society’s essay on the courthouses says the October 1868 quake on the Hayward Fault caused extensive damage throughout the county, and that the courthouse in Martinez did not escape: the rear walls collapsed.

Dr. Strentzel helped found the Alhambra Grange on September 12, 1874, the County Historical Society says, and was elected its Master.

In 1876 the farmers began building a wharf and a warehouse, the County Historical Society says, so ships could load there and sail to San Francisco and beyond.

Railroads arrived in 1877, the City’s page says.

John Muir married Louie Strentzel in 1880, the park district says, and they lived on a fruit ranch in Martinez. The National Park Service’s timeline has the family moving into the mansion in 1890, and calls it Muir’s home for the last 24 years of his life.

Susan B. Anthony gave a well received 90 minute speech at the Martinez Opera House on Ferry Street on October 3, 1896, the County Historical Society says.

Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez on November 25, 1914, the City’s history page says.

Smith Street, the main street leading into the new town and ending at the water’s edge, became Alhambra Avenue in 1924, though a newspaper had suggested the change as early as 1893, the County Historical Society says.

The Martinez Historical Society was established in 1973 to save a building from the 1890s in downtown Martinez, and took possession in February 1974, the City’s museum page says. The museum is housed in a Victorian cottage built in 1890, the City’s history page adds.

Read the full story of Martinez

Fire safety

The State’s map and Martinez

The District’s page on its fire hazard maps says it adopted updated maps, effective as of July 10, 2025, and lists a file called “LRA Martinez Map (PDF)”. Read from that State Fire Marshal map for Martinez, one of the State’s 2025 local-area maps, released in four phases between February 10 and March 24, 2025, the High and Moderate classes appear in the legend and no Very High class is drawn inside the city limit. This is our reading of the map, and it names no neighborhood or address. To see which class your own address is in, use the District’s Martinez map or the CAL FIRE viewer the District links.

District page and map read Nov 6 2026

Weeds and brush on your lot

The District’s weed-abatement page says: “It is a parcel owner’s responsibility to eliminate exterior fire hazards on their parcel, which may also endanger their neighbors and the community at large.” The City’s own weed page says the District’s Minimum Weed Abatement Standards “apply to much of Contra Costa County, including Martinez”, and that combustible rubbish and debris, such as cardboard boxes, pallets, trash, wood rounds and chunks, and rubble, “shall be removed from the property”. The District posts its deadlines by year and puts Martinez in its Central County group, so check its page for this year’s date.

District page read Nov 5 2026; City page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026

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The District’s help with defensible space

The District’s Wildfire Prevention Unit page lists “Providing guidance and inspections to create defensible areas around homes and structures.” among its programs.

District page read Nov 6 2026

Roofs and gutters

CAL FIRE’s page on defensible space tells homeowners: “Remove all dead and dying plants, weeds, and debris (leaves, needles, etc.) from your roof, gutter, deck, porch, stairways, and under any areas of your home.” It is a statewide page; the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District serves Martinez.

CAL FIRE page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026

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Martinez this month

Building permits: the City’s Permit Center page says new building permit applications are submitted electronically, through the City’s Online Portal, from September 1, 2026.

The Martinez blog starts when there is enough local news to keep it current.

Culture and history

The Martinez Historical Museum

The Martinez Historical Society’s museum is downtown at 1005 Escobar Street, open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11:00am to 3:00pm and closed holidays, the City’s museum page says. More in The story of Martinez, below.

City page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026 (opening days: refresh before use)

John Muir National Historic Site and Mount Wanda

Mount Wanda, 326 acres of oak woods and grasslands named for John Muir’s eldest daughter, is part of the National Historic Site, and the Park Service’s page lists its hiking and nature trails as open daily from sunrise to sunset. More in The story of Martinez, below.

NPS pages read Nov 6 2026; the hours page was last updated April 8, 2025

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Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

The East Bay Regional Park District runs the western section, with lawns, picnic areas, ponds and creeks and nearly three miles of trails through the marsh and along the shoreline, and the City runs the eastern section, with group picnic areas, ball fields, bocce courts and soccer fields.

Park district page, undated, read Nov 6 2026

Downtown markets and First Fridays

Downtown Martinez & Co. lists a Year Round Sunday Farmers’ Market, First Fridays from February to November, when local artists are featured in downtown shops and businesses with live music, street art and kids activities, and an annual Hometown 4th of July Parade.

Association’s page read Nov 6 2026; its 2026 dates are not written here

The Martinez Campbell Theater

The downtown association’s directory describes the Martinez Campbell Theater as an intimate theater providing live entertainments, and the theater’s own site lists shows, concerts and an open mic. The Martinez Music Mafia’s annual holiday pageant plays there in December.

Directory and theater pages read Nov 6 2026; the pageant’s 2026 dates are not written here

Community

Martinez Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber says it has been “a proud part of this community since 1936”.

Chamber’s page, undated, read Nov 6 2026

Downtown Martinez & Co.

The downtown association says it has been “Building community and fostering economic vitality since 2001” and strives “to create a bright future while celebrating the history, culture, and deep roots of Martinez”.

Association’s page read Nov 6 2026

City rules and regulations

Building codes

The City’s Permit Center page says: “Beginning January 1, 2026, all construction projects in the City of Martinez that involve a building permit will be required to comply with the new 2025 California Building Standards Codes (Title 24).”

City page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026

Where a permit application goes

The Permit Center page says: “All new building permit applications – including residential, commercial, and industrial projects – must be submitted electronically through the City’s Online Portal.” Paper applications are accepted only if the Chief Building Official grants an exception. The page also lists a link titled “Business License Required for Contractors”. If you wish, we can also pull the permit for you, as most of our customers ask us to.

City page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026

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Protected trees on your property

The City’s code, Chapter 8.08, Protected Trees, says removing a protected tree on private property needs a tree permit, and a protected tree includes all oak trees and indigenous trees measuring 12 inches or more in diameter, measured four and one-half feet from grade. Topping a protected tree is allowed only with a certified arborist’s report attached to an approval permit, the code says.

Code section 8.08.044 read in Chrome Nov 6 2026; the rest of the chapter from search snippets

Street trees

The code asks for an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department to remove, set out or plant a street tree, and says a street tree not otherwise regulated may be removed with a permit if the tree is replaced. The owner whose property abuts and fronts the area containing the street tree is responsible for street tree maintenance, the code says.

Code’s search results read in Chrome Nov 6 2026 (snippets, not the sections whole)

Sewer work outside the house

In Central San’s part of Martinez, the sewer work outside the building and its inspections are under Central San’s jurisdiction and are not included with your building permit: Central San issues a separate sewer permit for it.

Central San page (shows “Overview May 11, 2018”) read Nov 6 2026

When you buy or sell The District’s paperwork at a home sale

The District’s page on the State’s sale rule, Civil Code 1102.19, says that, on and after July 1, 2021, when a parcel with a structure is sold in a High or Very High fire hazard severity zone, the seller must give the buyer documentation that the property received and passed an inspection. The District’s ordinance, printed on the same page, is wider: before the close of escrow on the sale of “any Parcel within the Fire District”, the seller provides documentation from the Fire Code Official. An initial inspection typically needs the fire inspector on site for one to two hours, and the process “can take up to 5 working days”. Which of the two applies to your address is the District’s to say.

District PDF, undated, read Nov 6 2026

When you buy or sell The sewer line at a sale

For the part of Martinez that Central San serves, Central San says it “does not have a point of sale sewer lateral inspection ordinance. While it is encouraged to have the sewer line inspected prior to selling/buying a house, it is not required.”

Central San page read Nov 6 2026

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Storms, flood and drainage

Alhambra Creek and its Watershed Council

The Resource Conservation District says Alhambra Creek drains into the Carquinez Strait at Martinez, and that the Alhambra Watershed Council, a stakeholder group established in 1997, produced the Alhambra Creek Watershed Management Plan (2001). Its past projects include the Strentzel Lane Flood Reduction Project.

District’s pages, undated, read Nov 6 2026

Check the flood map for your address

FEMA’s community list has a row for the City of Martinez in the National Flood Insurance Program, with a current effective map date of March 21, 2017, in a report dated November 5, 2026. The City’s GIS page gives the steps to get the map for your address: go to FEMA’s map center, search by street address, and use the FIRMette tool to print it. (City page, undated, read in Chrome Nov 6 2026)

FEMA report dated 11/05/2026, read Nov 6 2026

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Sandbags

The City’s storm preparation page says empty sandbags are available at City Hall (limit 10) and that sand is at four places across town: Church Street, the Rankin Aquatic Center, Ferry & Allen Street and F Street, with Home Depot and Ace Hardware as other places to get sandbags. (City page, undated, read in Chrome Nov 6 2026)

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Programs, loans and insurance

Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Program

Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley’s city picker lists Martinez and opens its Contra Costa County page, which describes two programs it offers with Rebuilding Together East Bay Network: home loans for low-income owners of mobile homes, and free home safety modifications for seniors. The page lists roofing among its eligible repairs and says common uses of the loan include reroofing; to qualify you must own and live in a mobile home in the county’s urban area.

Habitat’s page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026

County-wide Con Fire’s Low-Income Exterior Hazard Control Program

Con Fire’s Measure X page says the program “assists eligible low-income property owners with exterior hazard removal, including overgrown or dead vegetation, weeds, combustible debris, and tree litter” and “Provides up to $1,500 in hazard control or weed abatement work”. The page gives no open or closed word and names no town; Martinez is inside the District.

District page read Nov 5 2026

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County-wide Check back Con Fire’s Home Hardening Outreach Program: check back

The District’s page says: “This program will provide education and resources to help homeowners make their homes more resistant to wildfire.” and “Coming soon – check back for details on how to apply.”

District page read Nov 5 2026

County-wide Check back Diablo Firesafe Council’s cost-share: check back

The Council’s page says it has “temporarily closed the applications for the Partners in Wildfire Prevention fuel reduction grant match” and that “No new applications can be submitted at this time”, and that it will reopen the form “when new funding is available”. Its page also names a cost-share of up to $3,500, for when it reopens, and names Alameda and Contra Costa counties but no town.

Council’s page, notice dated May 2025, read Nov 3 2026

County-wide Check back County weatherization: check back

The County’s page says the Weatherization Program is “a Federal and State-funded program whose purpose is to assist low and/or fixed income people in making their homes more energy-efficient”, available “regardless of whether you own or rent, live in a house, apartment, or a mobile home”, and that it tests gas appliances and has an inspector evaluate the home for energy-saving measures. Check the County’s page for how to apply and whether your address is covered.

County page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026

County-wide Check back County home rehabilitation loans: check back

The County’s page for its Neighborhood Preservation Program says the program provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners for home rehabilitation projects. It says: “Due to overwhelming interest in the program, the Neighborhood Preservation Program currently is not taking new applications.”

County page read in Chrome Nov 6 2026

Check back BayREN EASE Home: check back

BayREN says its EASE Home program “covers 80% of the cost for essential weatherization upgrades, including insulation and duct sealing”, with your portion capped at 20% of the project cost. To take part you are a PG&E customer and live in a single-family home (four or fewer units) built before 2010; the page names no town and asks which county you live in.

BayREN’s page read Nov 3 2026

Check back PG&E Energy Savings Assistance: check back

PG&E’s page says renters and homeowners can “improve the comfort, health and safety of their homes with appliance upgrades and home repairs”, “All at no charge.” The page names no county or town, and PG&E’s service-area page lists Martinez.

PG&E’s pages read Nov 5 2026 and Nov 3 2026

County-wide Free creek consultation for owners

The Streamside Management Program for Landowners is a free service for landowners in Contra Costa County: “If you are a Contra Costa County resident with a creek on the property, these services are available to you at no charge.” Its page says it assists owners with managing land along creeks that have erosion and flooding problems.

Program page read Nov 6 2026

County-wide Check back Bay Area Air District chipping program: check back

The Air District says it “is not currently accepting applications for chipping services through the Agricultural Waste and Wildfire Prevention Chipping Programs” and that “Program services will resume when additional funding becomes available.”

Air District’s pages read Nov 6 2026

Central San sewer lateral financing

Central San’s Sewer Lateral Replacement financing program is “available to help property owners replace a private sewer lateral or separate a shared sewer lateral”, with “low-cost financing for the construction costs and Central San fees”. It offers up to $12,500 for single-family residential customers with a 4-inch connection, paid back over 15 years on the annual property tax bill, with no penalty for early pay-off. Central San serves portions of Martinez, and the page does not say which Martinez homes are its customers.

Central San’s pages read Nov 6 2026

Contra Costa Water District rebates

The District’s page says its rebates “are available to all customers served by CCWD and municipal systems in our service area, except Flume”, and its Lawn to Garden Rebate says: “Get up to $2,000 by replacing your water-thirsty lawn with a water-wise landscape.” Which Martinez homes qualify depends on who supplies the water.

District’s pages read Nov 6 2026

Who serves your home in Martinez

Fire: The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, which names Martinez among the cities it gives fire prevention services to. The City’s own weed page says Martinez is part of the District, which provides education, engineering and fire code enforcement.
Water: The Contra Costa Water District’s service area map lists “Martinez (portion)” under “Treated Water Cities – Served by CCWD” and lists “Martinez” under “Municipal Systems”.
Sewer: Central San serves portions of Martinez, and the Mt. View Sanitary District serves a portion of the City and adjacent unincorporated lands.
Garbage and recycling: Republic Services of Martinez; its page sends readers to the City’s website for details on solid waste and recycling.
Electricity and gas: PG&E; its service-area page lists Martinez in the Contra Costa list of its electric territory and in the one of its gas territory. MCE (Marin Clean Energy) is named as the community choice provider in the table of services in a 2019 review by the Local Agency Formation Commission.
Schools: Martinez Unified School District, and Mt. Diablo Unified School District, which says it includes portions of Martinez.

Useful links: Martinez Unified School District · Mt. Diablo Unified School District (portions of Martinez) · Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (weed abatement, the Martinez map, the paperwork at a home sale) · City of Martinez: Permit Center · City of Martinez: Fire Hazard Severity Zones · City of Martinez: Weed Abatement Standards · Central San (Central Contra Costa Sanitary District) · Mt. View Sanitary District · Contra Costa Water District · Republic Services of Martinez · John Muir National Historic Site (National Park Service) · Martinez Historical Society museum · East Bay Regional Park District (Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline)

The homes of Martinez

Martinez’s median home was built in 1977, and about 58 percent of its homes were built before 1980; the percentage is our own calculation from the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 tables. About 79 percent of the homes are single-family houses, detached or attached, by the same tables.

The 1880s

Late Victorian, Italianate

The National Park Service describes the Strentzel/Muir House, built in 1882, as a 17-room, late Victorian (Italianate style) wood-frame mansion on a knoll with a commanding view of Alhambra Valley.

The 1920s and 1930s

Storybook houses

A County Historical Society columnist wrote in 2011 that a dozen or more “Storybook” houses stand in the three or four blocks of Pine and Brown Streets that border the site of the original Christian Brothers winery, designed in the style an Oakland architect championed in the 1920s and 30s.

The 1960s to the 1980s

Most of the city’s homes

The Census Bureau’s tables count about 1,900 homes from the 1960s, about 3,600 from the 1970s and about 3,800 from the 1980s, roughly 61 percent of all the housing units, by our calculation.

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The story of Martinez

History and character