Join us tonight for the Second Annual Holidays at the Plaza! This family-friendly event takes place at the Downtown Event Center Plaza (3500 Capitol Ave., Fremont) and runs from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, featuring a tree lighting at 6:00 pm.
Enjoy hot chocolate, a charming holiday market, a fun photo booth, and a ticketed kids’ gingerbread cookie decorating activity!
We still have spaces left for the Gingerbread Activity. Sign up below.
Join Chabad of Fremont Jewish Center for the 13th Annual Chanukah Lighting on Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 pm for festivities and 5:00 pm for the Menorah Lighting at the Downtown Event Center Plaza, 3500 Capitol Ave. Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights.”
As in years past, the City of Fremont will be implementing a Holiday Closure for many non-public safety City services from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. City Holidays are observed December 24, 25, and 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, while limited City services will be offered December 26, 29, and 30, 2025, and January 2, 2026. Police and fire services will not be affected during this Holiday Closure. City offices participating in the Holiday Closure will re-open for business on Monday, January 5, 2026.
For those who may need assistance with construction and development projects that require planning, building, and engineering permits, please make sure to get everything taken care of between now and December 23. In the event a permit is needed during the holiday closure to preserve life or property (e.g., broken sewer pipe, house fire), community members will be able to contact the City via a dedicated email address that will be posted online starting December 19.
Please be advised that during the City’s Holiday Closure—Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026—all construction and development services will be unavailable.
- The City’s Development Services Center/Permit Center, located at 39550 Liberty St., will be closed. It will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 8:00 am. Please note the Center will maintain normal business hours on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, closing at 3:30 pm.
- The City’s online permitting portal, Citizen Access, will be unavailable starting Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 12:00 pm. through Monday, January 5, 2026, at 8:00 am. Online requests for permits and building inspections will not be available during this time. This includes planning, building, and engineering permits. Please keep this in mind when planning construction and development projects requiring these types of permits.
- To schedule a building inspection for Monday, January 5, 2026, the City’s Inspection Scheduling Phone Line will be available starting Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The phone number is 510-494-4885. Online inspection scheduling through Citizen Access will not be available until Monday, January 5, 2026, at 8:00 am.
- General email accounts and phone lines will not be monitored during the Holiday Closure. Staff will not be responding to emails received during the closure. Community members should avoid sending any emails during this time.
- In the event a permit is needed during the Holiday Closure to preserve life or property (e.g., broken sewer pipe, house fire), community members will be able to contact the City via a dedicated email address. This email address and instructions will be made available on the City’s Holiday Closure webpage starting Friday, December 19.
The City of Fremont is committed to supporting residents experiencing homelessness, and the Fremont Housing Navigation Center (HNC) plays a key role by providing safe, temporary housing and supportive services.
The HNC’s 5–Year–Fiscal Year End Report is now live, covering the first five years of operations through June 30, 2025. The report highlights program outcomes, information about all 293 HNC residents to date, and details on funding and cost savings.
Key accomplishments include:
- Of the 258 residents who exited the program, 65% have moved into stable housing, well above national and county averages.
- Nearly 90% of residents earned less than 30% of the area’s median income, with an average stay of five months, reflecting the need for ongoing housing and supportive services.
We encourage community members to view the HNC’s full report.
December 9 Council Meeting at 7:00 pm
At next week’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, which begins at 7:00 pm at City Hall, 3300 Capitol Ave., the meeting agenda will include the following items and more:
- Solid Waste Collection Rates, Transfer Station Service Fees, and Landfill Disposal Fees for 2026 and 2027
- Community Camera Additions
- Acceptance of Donation for Palm Avenue Community Park
- Resolution: Honoring City Clerk Susan Gauthier for Thirty-Six Years of Service Upon Her Retirement
- Development Impact Fee Report
- 2025 General Plan Update (Pln2025-00209) - Citywide
Visit our Agenda Center to view the complete meeting agenda and how to attend.
Catch up on December 2 Council Meeting
Did you miss this week’s City Council Meeting? Catch up on the webcast for updates or view the agenda.
Beginning on Monday, December 8, the playground at Centerville Community Park will be closed to undergo repairs to the playground. During this time, the playground will be fenced off and closed to the public and will re-open December 15, 2025.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Your support and patience are greatly appreciated.
For project updates, visit Fremont Parks Update. For further information, please contact our Park Maintenance by email or call 510-979-5799.
The City of Fremont’s Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) invites students and youth ages 12–17 to attend a Creativity & Wellness Workshop on Friday, December 12, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Centerville Community Center – Centerville Room.
This free event is all about destressing, expressing yourself, and having fun in a welcoming space. Enjoy making bracelets, phone charms, and painting your own tote bag while sipping on hot chocolate and having meaningful conversations.
As part of the site preparation for construction of the upcoming Central Park Community Center, the City will begin tree removal work starting December 15. A total of 32 trees within the project area will be removed by the City’s contractor Rapid Response to support grading, utility installation, and construction activities for the new facility. Work will include tree removal and stump grinding.
In keeping with the City’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing Central Park’s urban forest, 70 new native species trees will be planted to replace those removed by 2027. The new plantings will be thoughtfully located throughout the project area to support long-term canopy restoration, provide shade, and enhance ecological benefits.
This work is being coordinated by the Public Works and Community Services Departments. Project work is anticipated to begin December 15 and last approximately one week, weather/schedule permitting.
The City has adopted the 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments, which becomes effective on January 1, 2026. This is a reminder that applicants who wish to apply for a building/fire permit under the current 2022 code must submit their request through the City’s online permitting portal, Citizen Access, by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, December 23. All applications must be complete. Incomplete applications will be subject to the new 2025 code.
The City of Fremont is providing this permit information for residents intending to install solar energy systems and claim the Residential Clean Energy Credit (federal solar tax credit) before it is set to expire on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
For solar projects that require a Renewable Energy Permit (with a City plan review)—such as installations of solar photovoltaic systems (solar panels), structures with integrated solar panels, or solar roof tiles—applicants must submit a complete permit application with all required forms and plan review requirements by Friday, December 12, 2025.
For solar projects that are eligible for an Instant Solar Permit (no City plan review), the permit must be issued by Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 12:00 pm.
Please be advised that these deadlines only pertain to City of Fremont permits. The City does not administer federal tax credits and cannot provide any specific information regarding tax credit deadlines or eligibility requirements.
For more information, contact the City’s Building and Safety Division by phone at 510-494-4460 or by email.
For more information about applying for a permit, visit the City’s Apply for a Permit webpage.
The City of Fremont is offering Winter Break Camps from December 22 – January 2, featuring fun and engaging programs designed to keep kids active, social, and inspired while school is out. Open to ages 5–16, these camps include a variety of activities such as art, cooking, sports, and academic enrichment.
Families can choose from both half-day and full-day options, with Central Park Sports Jam offering Extended Care for added convenience. Camps are held at multiple locations throughout Fremont, making it easy to find one close to home.
Spots are limited—register now at www.RegeRec.com to secure your child’s place this winter!
For more information, contact City of Fremont Recreation Services at 510-494-4300 or email.
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