Rodeo has no city government, so there is no city hall to call. Contra Costa County handles permits, roads and code enforcement, the County Sheriff’s Bay Station patrols, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) has provided fire and EMS since July 1, 2025, EBMUD supplies water, Rodeo Sanitary District runs the sewer system and the garbage contract, and John Swett Unified runs the public schools.
Here’s the full list, with who to call, so you know before you buy or the day you move in.
Why doesn’t Rodeo have a city hall?
Because it never incorporated. The county’s Rodeo page says Rodeo “never became an incorporated city” and that the county oversees its municipal needs, which puts it under the District 5 County Supervisor for local issues (Contra Costa County, Rodeo page, checked September 24, 2026). Special districts cover the rest: fire, water, sewer and schools each have their own agency and their own board.
So a listing that says “City of Rodeo” is wrong. The mailing address says Rodeo; the government is the county.
Who do I call for what in Rodeo?
For any emergency, call 911. For everything else:
| Service | Who provides it | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| Law enforcement | Contra Costa County Sheriff, Bay Station | 5555 Giant Road, Richmond; (510) 262-4203. Non-emergency dispatch (925) 646-2441 |
| Fire and EMS | Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire), Station 75 in Rodeo | Administration (925) 941-3300 |
| Building and planning permits, code enforcement | County Department of Conservation and Development | ePermits Center online; (925) 655-2700 |
| Roads, drainage, flood zone questions | County Public Works | 255 Glacier Drive, Martinez; (925) 313-2000 |
| Water | East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), Ward 1 | Start or stop service: 1-866-403-2683 |
| Sewer, and the garbage contract | Rodeo Sanitary District (garbage collected by Richmond Sanitary Service under contract) | 800 San Pablo Avenue, Rodeo; (510) 799-2970, 24 hours for sewer overflows |
| Public schools | John Swett Unified School District | 400 Parker Avenue, Rodeo; (510) 245-4300 |
| Library | Contra Costa County Library, Rodeo branch | 220 Pacific Avenue; (510) 799-2606 |
| Local representation | District 5 Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston; Rodeo Municipal Advisory Council | (925) 608-4200 |
Sources, all official agency websites checked September 24, 2026: Contra Costa Sheriff, Bay Station page; Con Fire, Measure O page; Contra Costa County DCD Permits page and Public Works page; EBMUD Ward 1 and Customers pages; Rodeo Sanitary District About and Contact pages; John Swett Unified website; Contra Costa County Library, Rodeo location page; Contra Costa County, Supervisor Scales-Preston and Rodeo MAC pages.
Who handles police calls in Rodeo?
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Rodeo is covered by the Sheriff’s Bay Station at 5555 Giant Road in Richmond, which serves unincorporated West County communities including Rodeo, Crockett, Port Costa, North Richmond, El Sobrante and others, about 60,000 people in all (Contra Costa Sheriff, Bay Station page, checked September 24, 2026).
We don’t describe any area as safe or unsafe. If you want to look at the record for a street, ask the Sheriff’s Office what reports are available and read them yourself.
Who is the fire department in Rodeo now?
Con Fire. The Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District, which began as the Rodeo Fire District in 1937, was annexed by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District on July 1, 2025 (City of Hercules, Fire page; Con Fire, Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District History page, both checked September 24, 2026). Contra Costa LAFCO approved the annexation in December 2024, and Con Fire absorbed the district’s firefighters, stations and equipment (Con Fire and Rodeo-Hercules Fire joint news release, December 19, 2024).
One thing homeowners notice on the tax bill: Measure O, a parcel tax passed in November 2016 for the former Rodeo-Hercules district, still helps fund Station 75 in Rodeo and Station 76 in Hercules. Owners 65 and older who own and live in the home can apply each year for a senior exemption; applications for the 2027 to 2028 tax year are due January 31, 2027 (Con Fire, Measure O Senior Exemption page, checked September 24, 2026). For how it fits your own taxes, ask a tax professional or the County Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Who issues building permits in Rodeo?
The county. Contra Costa County’s Department of Conservation and Development handles planning and building permits for unincorporated areas, and Building, Planning and Public Works applications are all submitted online through the county’s ePermits Center. Questions about fees or payments go to (925) 655-2700 (Contra Costa County, Permits page, checked September 24, 2026).
Doing sewer work? Rodeo Sanitary District issues its own sewer permits, and its permit page says to check with the county about any other permits you need (Rodeo Sanitary District, Permitting page, checked September 24, 2026).
Before you plan an addition or an ADU, check the zoning for the parcel with the county first. Rules differ by parcel.
Who fixes the roads and creeks?
County Public Works. A current Rodeo example: Public Works is rebuilding two eroded sections of the west bank of Rodeo Creek, about 150 feet north of Fourth Street and about 100 feet north of Seventh Street. Construction started July 6, 2026, with completion estimated for October 15, 2026, at an estimated contract cost of $694,000 paid from Flood Control Zone funds (Contra Costa County, Rodeo Creek Bank Erosion Repair project page, checked September 24, 2026).
Public Works also does FEMA flood zone determinations for a parcel on request, through the county’s FEMA Floodplain Management Program page (checked September 24, 2026).
Who provides water, sewer and garbage?
Three answers, two agencies.
- Water: EBMUD. Rodeo is in EBMUD’s Ward 1, which also covers Crockett, Hercules and San Pablo (EBMUD, Ward 1 page, checked September 24, 2026). Set up service at 1-866-403-2683.
- Sewer: Rodeo Sanitary District, an independent special district formed in 1939. It collects and treats wastewater for Rodeo and Tormey and is run by a five-member elected board (Rodeo Sanitary District, About page, checked September 24, 2026).
- Garbage: Rodeo Sanitary District contracts solid waste collection for Rodeo with Richmond Sanitary Service (same source).
Buying or selling? The sanitary district requires a Certificate of Compliance for the property’s sewer lateral when title transfers, under Ordinance No. 08-101 (Rodeo Sanitary District, Sewer Laterals page, checked September 24, 2026). Ask about it early in escrow.
How do I have a say in Rodeo decisions?
Two ways. The Rodeo Municipal Advisory Council, a five-seat local advisory body, meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Rodeo Senior Center, 189 Parker Avenue; the public is welcome (Contra Costa County, Rodeo MAC page, checked September 24, 2026). For county decisions, contact the District 5 Supervisor’s office at (925) 608-4200.
Questions people also ask
Is Rodeo, CA a city?
No. Rodeo is an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County. The county’s Rodeo page says it never incorporated and that the county oversees its municipal needs. That means county departments handle permits, roads and code enforcement, the County Sheriff patrols, and separate districts provide fire, water, sewer and schools. Your elected local representative is the District 5 County Supervisor.
Who is the fire department for Rodeo, CA?
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, known as Con Fire. It annexed the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District on July 1, 2025, taking over its firefighters, stations and equipment, according to the City of Hercules Fire page and a December 19, 2024 joint release. Station 75 is in Rodeo. For emergencies call 911. Con Fire administration is (925) 941-3300.
Who provides water in Rodeo, CA?
The East Bay Municipal Utility District, EBMUD. Rodeo is part of EBMUD’s Ward 1, along with Crockett, Hercules and San Pablo, per EBMUD’s Ward 1 page, checked September 24, 2026. To start, stop or transfer water service, call EBMUD at 1-866-403-2683. Sewer is a separate agency, the Rodeo Sanitary District, at (510) 799-2970.
Who do I call for police in Rodeo?
Call 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, Rodeo is covered by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Bay Station, 5555 Giant Road in Richmond, at (510) 262-4203, or Sheriff’s dispatch at (925) 646-2441. Bay Station serves Rodeo and other unincorporated West County communities, per the Sheriff’s Bay Station page, checked September 24, 2026.
Where do I get a building permit in Rodeo?
From Contra Costa County, not a city. The county’s Department of Conservation and Development takes Building, Planning and Public Works applications online through its ePermits Center, and answers fee and payment questions at (925) 655-2700. Sewer work also needs a permit from the Rodeo Sanitary District. Check the parcel’s zoning with the county before you design anything.
Your next step
Looking at a Rodeo home? Send us the address. We’ll help you gather the district contacts, the sewer lateral status and the flood zone check before you write an offer. Ask a Rodeo agent on our team or call (510) 949-5525.
More on Rodeo: Living in Rodeo, CA · Which schools serve a Rodeo address? · How do I sell my house in Rodeo? · What’s my home worth?
By Bill Davis, DRE #01880656, The Davis Team at eXp Realty, Rodeo, CA. Updated September 24, 2026.
Sources
- Contra Costa County, Rodeo page: contracosta.ca.gov/3084 (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa County, Rodeo Municipal Advisory Council page: contracosta.ca.gov/3276 (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa County, Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, District 5: contracosta.ca.gov/Supervisor-Scales-Preston (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa Sheriff, Bay Station: cocosheriff.org/bureaus/field-operations/patrol-division/bay-station (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District History and Measure O Senior Exemption pages: cccfpd.org (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District, joint news release on the LAFCO annexation approval, December 19, 2024: cccfpd.org
- City of Hercules, Fire page: herculesca.gov/government/fire (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, Permits page: contracosta.ca.gov/7947 (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa County Public Works: contracosta.ca.gov/227; Rodeo Creek Bank Erosion Repair: contracosta.ca.gov/10404; FEMA Floodplain Management Program: contracosta.ca.gov/332 (all checked September 24, 2026)
- EBMUD, Ward 1 and Customers pages: ebmud.com (checked September 24, 2026)
- Rodeo Sanitary District, About, Contact, Permitting and Sewer Laterals pages: rodeosan.org (checked September 24, 2026)
- John Swett Unified School District: jsusd.org (checked September 24, 2026)
- Contra Costa County Library, Rodeo: ccclib.org/locations/23 (checked September 24, 2026)