Fact Check: Was a pregnant dog tied up outside in the freezing weather Jan. 16, 2018?

Fact: On Jan. 16, local media commented on a video sent to them by a viewer. Call logs show that an Animal Control officer visited the residence at 6:30 p.m. that evening. The dog was tethered to a tree with a small cord, but that was not preventing the d...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos has enacted new regulations that caused the Hitch to close

Rumor: The City of San Marcos has enacted new regulations for Mobile Food Vendors that caused the Hitch to close.

Fact: Beginning in January of 2017 the Health Department began working with mobile food vendors to ensure they were able to be mobil...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos is anti-pet and won’t allow animals at eating establishments & bars.

Rumor:  The City of San Marcos is anti-pet and won’t allow animals at eating establishments and bars.

Fact: Texas State law within the 2006 Texas Food Establishment Rules, which the city has adopted, prohibits animals on the premises of food estab...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos is charging fees for entry into the San Marcos River.

Fact: The City is not charging for access to the river or river parks, and has no plans at this time to implement park user fees.

The Parks Advisory Board and City staff made a presentation to the City City during the February 21, 2017 City Council meeting...

Rumor: A scary clown hoax has made it to San Marcos.

Fact: At this time, the San Marcos Police Department has no active cases involving clowns as suspects, witnesses, or victims.

The department is aware that there is at least one spurious clown social media account in San Marcos.  

While there have b...

Rumor: Resident are concerned about what appeared to be a kidnapping or hostage situation.

Fact: We looked into the concerns and our police department tells us the incident took place Monday night after patrons and employees of IHOP saw a man and woman arguing near a vehicle next to the Old CiCis pizza in Springtown Center. There was also anoth...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos has hiked the minimum wage to $15 an hour plus benefits.

Fact: The City of San Marcos and the State of Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate.

The San Marcos City Council voted on Feb. 2. 2016 to amend the City of San Marcos Economic Development Policy to require all jobs calculated or counted for economic d...

Sunshine Kids Camp

The Sunshine Kids Camp celebrated their 35^th anniversary and for last 28 years San Marcos has provided local and regional activities for the campers.  The free camp is for children ages 12-18 battling cancer and they arrive from cities all over t...

City Names New Fire Marshal, Brings Office Under Fire Dept.

The City of San Marcos is pleased to announce the hiring of Kelly Kistner, a former assistant State Fire Marshal and fire forensics professional, as the City’s new Fire Marshal.

With the hiring of Kistner, the City of San Marcos Fire Marshal&...

Backpacks Donated to SMFD

The San Marcos Fire Department thanks the Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association for donating custom made backpacks for our Junior Fire Academy Summer Camp! The drawstring backpacks look sharp!  The summer camp was held in June and both session...

Oath of Service for New Firefighters

The City of San Marcos would like to welcome Firefighters Chris Mulvaney, Zane Willard, Miles Maynor, Travis Sweet and Micah Killian to the San Marcos Fire Department.  The five firefighters completed their one year probationary period and did th...

CIVIC Award Winners

The City of San Marcos Employee Group recognized Battalion Chief John Koenig, Captain Jeff Green, Engineer Scott Grunwald, and Firefighters Jordan Hutto and Bobby Dallimore from the San Marcos Fire Department as the winners of the 2nd Quarterly, Conduct t...

Fundraiser Basketball Game

Members from the San Marcos Fire and Police Departments and Hays County Sheriff's Office played a good game of basketball against Schertz Police Department on Saturday, April 28, 2018. It was a fundraiser, Battle of the Badges, at Corbett Junior High Scho...

Sam's Club Donates $1000 to SMFD

Assistant Chief Rick Rowell from the San Marcos Fire Department along with Administrative Assistant Senior Melinda Villarreal and Firefighters Katie Kirk-Velez, Miles Maynor, and Captain Brian Quackenbush received $1000.00 dollar check on April 19, 2018 f...

Junior Fire Academy Summer Camp -BOTH SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY FULL

The camp is from 8am – 2pm.  The program is open to boys and girls, ages 8 - 11. Drop off is available starting at 7:30am and pick up no later than 3pm.  This will be a great opportunity to interact with your local fire department and en...

SMFD Gets Fired Up About Reading

Firefighters enjoy reading to children and teaching them about fire safety.  Teaching fire safety saves lives.  Parents brought their children to a recent event at the San Marcos city library to see a firefigher in fire protection gear t...

100 Club Good Friday Fundraiser Success

In appreciation of the 100 Club’s mission of assisting families of first responders killed and critically injured in the line of duty, the South Central Texas McDonald’s Co-op hosted its 17^th Annual Bells and Whistles Good Friday Fundraiser benefitting 10...

1st Annual Kenneth Copeland Fitness Challenge

The challenge was in memory of fallen San Marcos police officer, Kenneth Copeland.  Eight San Marcos Fire Department personnel, Captains Justin Calhoun, Brian Quackenbush, Engineer Jonathan Pakula, and Firefighters Tanner McLean, Ross Garman, Ben...

Firefighters, City Staff, and Civilians Honored by Fire Department

The San Marcos Fire Department honored outstanding firefighters, city staff and citizens at the annual awards ceremony held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the Activity Center.

Fire Chief Les Stephens presided at the special event. Top awards went to:

• Enginee...

Citizens Fire Academy Graduation

Graduates from the 2017 class of the San Marcos Fire Department’s Citizens Fire Academy accepted their diplomas during the academy’s seventh graduation ceremony on November 6.  Citizens Fire Academy is a challenging 12-week program (not a certifi...

Public Safety Bond Gets Voter OK

The public safety bond included the relocation of the Holland Street Fire Station #2, the construction of a new fire station on the east side of Interstate 35, the creation of a fire training facility located near the airport, and renovations to the San M...

FAQ for visiting and floating the San Marcos River

Check out our FAQ page on visiting and floating the San Marcos River to ensure you have a fun and safe trip. 

City Council Approves New San Marcos Development Code

“This is a day of celebration! Our new code has been in the works for four years, combining the efforts of City planners, citizens and stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent process involving numerous public meetings and presentations,&...

Online Submittals

Online application submittals will be required moving forward. The move from paper to electronic files will also be a time saving tool for applicants. A kiosk is available in the Planning office for those applicants who do not have access to a computer, o...

Legacy Project

The Legacy Project is a hands-on community planning effort which, this year, was focused on the revitalization of Downtown Frisco. Amanda, Emilio and Craig, all undergrad students at Texas State University, competed against Grad and Doctorate students fro...

2018 Preferred Scenario Amendment Schedule Available

The schedule for the 2018 Spring Preferred Scenario Amendment Process may be found HERE. The application deadline for this twice-per-year process is January 8, 2018. All applications for amendment to the Preferred Scenario Map may be made online at www.my...

Revised Fee Schedule

The City Council provided direction to Planning and Development Services staff to research fee revenue and actual cost of service to process permits, review applications, and inspect permitted projects. Staff researched fees charged by other cities and an...

Code SMTX - Adoption Process Begins

Code SMTX, the project to update the City’s land development code, continues to make progress and has moved into the approval stage. Find out more about how the Code is implementing the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

ZC-18-10 (Windmill Addition) - Revised

A zoning change application from Duplex (D) to Neighborhood Density – 3.5 (ND-3.5) has been submitted for approximately 0.78 acres, more or less, known as Windmill Addition Lot 2, located at 128 Windmill Drive. This property is located in an Exi...

ZC-18-09 (Beyond Grooming)

A zoning change application from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to Neighborhood – Main Street (N-MS) has been submitted for approximately 0.997 acres, more or less, out of the Juan M Veramendi Survey, Tract 31, located at 1200 Old Martindale Road....

ZC-18-08 Zoning Change

A zoning change application from Light Industrial (LI) to Heavy Commercial (HC) has been submitted for approximately 9.61 acres, more or less, known as Lot 1A, Block 1, International Electric Corporation Addition, located at 2809 IH-35.  This pro...

ZC-18-07 Application Notice

A zoning change application from Single Family (“SF-6” ) to Neighborhood Density – 3 (“ND-3”) has been submitted for approximately 0.197 acres, more or less, legally known as the Westover Addition, Block 27, Lot 329, located at 1012 North Bishop Street. T...

ZC-18-06 Application Notice

A zoning change application from Future Development (“FD” ) to Character District – 5 (“CD-5”) has been submitted for approximately 14.14 acres, more or less, out of the Barnette O. Kane Survey, Abstract No. 281, located along the 1600 Block of Redwood Ro...

Craddock Median Ribbon Cutting Scheduled August 4

The City of San Marcos Community Services- Community Enhancement Division will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Craddock Avenue Median project on Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the corner of Craddock Ave. and Archie St. ...

Movies in Your Park to Feature “Field of Dreams”

The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department will host the third showing of Movies in Your Park on Tuesday, June 26 at Bobcat Stadium, located at 1100 Aquarena Springs Drive. The featured movie, “Field of Dreams,” will begin ...

San Marcos Public Library News

Bonzo Crunch: Fool at Large

Wednesday, June 27

San Marcos Public Library

Contact: Pamela Carlile/512.393.8217

Come experience the nostalgic joy of the circus and the classic humor of a Ringling Brothers clown at the San Marcos Public Library on Wednesday, Jun...

June 19 Movies in Your Park Postponed due to Weather

The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department has postponed the third movie of Movies in Your Park, scheduled for Tuesday, June 19, due to expected storms. The event has been moved to Tuesday, Aug. 7.

This year’s showings of Movies in Yo...

Miss Beautiful SMTX Crowned in Third Annual Pageant

Kalene Spencer was crowned Miss Beautiful SMTX 2018 by the reigning 2017 Miss Beautiful SMTX Kia Davis recently. Kalene received a $155 Visa gift card, a sash, crown, and a bouquet.

On Friday, June 8 the third annual Miss Beautiful Pageant took to the stag...

Fire Damages Amazon Fulfillment Center in San Marcos

A fire and subsequent fire suppression efforts caused significant damage to a limited portion of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in San Marcos Monday afternoon. There were no injuries, and the building was evacuated successfully.

The San Marcos Fire Departme...

Pedestrian Killed in Auto Hit and Run; Suspect Arrested

UPDATE: Police have identified the man accused of a fatal hit-and-run Friday evening.

Uriah Keith Robinson (DOB 12/29/1988) of San Marcos has been charged with multiple felonies:

• Intoxication Manslaughter ($500,000 bond)
• Fail to Stop and Render Aid Felony ($...

Spots Available for Free Babysitters Training Class June 27

The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department’s Youth Services Division will host a Babysitters Training Class on Wednesday, June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins. Youth ages 12 and up are...

San Marcos goes to Stage 2 drought restrictions June 17

The City of San Marcos will enter Stage 2 drought restrictions effective Sunday June 17 at noon. The Edwards Aquifer Authority implemented Stage 2 on June 11.

Stage 2 is implemented when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level falls below 650 f...

City Seeks Nominations for Women’s Hall of Fame

The City of San Marcos is seeking nominations of outstanding local women to induct into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame at its annual ceremony in October.The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. Entry forms are av...

City Installs New Truck Weight Restrictions on Hopkins Street

City crews recently completed installation of new truck weight restrictions on Hopkins Street designed to keep large trucks off the largely residential portion of the roadway.

The City revised the truck weight restriction from a gross vehicle weight of 58,...

San Marcos Celebrates Our Local Farmers and Artisans

San Marcos Farmers’ Market, at San Antonio St., has been named the “June Downtown Business of the Month” by the San Marcos Main Street Program.

The weekly Farmers’ Market has helped maintain a vibrant downtown enviro...

Beat the Heat: Stay Cool and Healthy

As high temperatures rise to the upper 90s with heat indexes over 100 degrees, the City is encouraging residents to take extra precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and dehydration. In extreme heat or during a heat wave, keeping your cool will keep you hea...

Tree Trimming, Utility Pole Work to Begin Monday on Hopkins

City crews will begin trimming trees on Hopkins St. Monday, June 11 to allow electric utility crews to replace utility poles between Bishop and Moore Streets.

The tree trimming will be done under the supervision of the City’s urban forester, and ...

San Marcos Public Library News

Austin Reptile Shows

Wednesday, June 13

San Marcos Public Library

Contact: Pamela Carlile/512.393.8217

Animal-loving kids will go wild when the Austin Reptile Show brings live lizards, snakes, and other creepy crawly visitors to the San Marcos Public Library ...

City Names New Fire Marshal, Brings Office Under Fire Dept.

The City of San Marcos is pleased to announce the hiring of Kelly Kistner, a former assistant State Fire Marshal and fire forensics professional, as the City’s new Fire Marshal.

With the hiring of Kistner, the City of San Marcos Fire Marshal&...

City to Discuss Uhland Road Drainage Improvements

The Engineering Department will host a community meeting to introduce the Uhland Road Improvements project Monday, June 11 at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 1906 N IH-35.

This project will improve drainage and mobility along County and Uhland Roads duri...

San Marcos Public Library Wins Second Branding Award

The San Marcos Public Library has won the 2018 Branding Iron Award for best advertising from the Texas Library Association. This is the second year in a row the library has earned the award.

The Library was recognized for three videos filmed and edited by ...

Electric Utility Workers Win Lifesaving Medal, Moten Award

The San Marcos Electric Utility Department (SMEU) was recognized twice in May for their commitment to safety and their dedication to the public.

Moten Award

The SMEU Meter Technician Team was awarded the Johnny Moten award, created in 1998 to honor City ind...

Residents Can Sign Up for Zoning Application Notifications

As part of the new San Marcos Development Code (CODE SMTX), the City is encouraging interested residents and property owners to sign up to receive notice of new zoning applications, Comprehensive Plan Map amendment applications, and related neighborhood m...

San Marcos Public Library News

Summer Reading Program Kickoff

Friday, June 8, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

San Marcos Public Library

Contact: Susan Smith/512.393.8200

Get ready to rock at the San Marcos Public Library for a very special Summer Reading Program kickoff festival on Friday, June...

Movies in Your Park to Kick Off With Despicable Me 3

The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Grande Communications and Cricket Wireless, presents the 2018 Movies in Your Park series. Movies in Your Park is a free community event held on Tuesdays in June and July at San Ma...

June City Hall Calendar

Friday, June 1, 2018

 Coffee with a Cop, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Root Cellar Bakery, 142 N. LBJ

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., San Antonio Street on south side of the courthouse. Fre...

City Urges Water Conservation as Aquifer Level Falls

The City of San Marcos is urging water conservation because of rapidly dropping aquifer levels and the prospect of Stage 2 drought rules quickly approaching.

Stage 2 is implemented when the 10-day average Edwards Aquifer index well level falls below 650 fe...

City Warns of Phone Scammer Posing as Police Officer

The San Marcos Police Department is warning the public of a phone scammer posing as a police officer and demanding money to clear a fake warrant.

Multiple residents have reported that they were called from 512.566.7496 this morning. The caller identified h...

Mayor, Council and Kids Cut Ribbon on New Playscape

The Mayor and City Council, with help from local kids, cut the ribbon on the new, inclusive playscape at Children’s Park Saturday, May 19.

The event celebrated the completion of the new playscape, which replaces the well-loved wooden structures t...

SMPD to Host Church Safety Seminars

The San Marcos Police Department will host three Church Safety Seminars at the SMPD auditorium, 2300 S IH-35 in May and June. The seminars are free, but participants must register online to reserve their places.

This unique seminar addresses concerns of vi...

Falling aquifer levels trigger Stage 1 drought restrictions

The City of San Marcos will enter Stage 1 drought restrictions effective May 27 in response to dropping aquifer levels. The Edwards Aquifer Authority implemented Stage 1 on May 21.

Stage 1 drought rules restrict use of sprinklers to one day per week on a d...

Texas State’s HEAT Wins Keep Texas Beautiful Award

The Texas State Human Environment Animal Team (HEAT) has been named the 2018 Youth Organization Award winner for its efforts in beautification and landfill diversion.

The award will be presented at the Keep Texas Beautiful Award Ceremony in Georgetown June...

San Marcos CVB Presents Rogers Family Tourism Awards

Local business owner Dane Adamson and the Lions Club Tube Rental were presented with the Rogers Family Tourism Award and Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Travel and Tourism Week Reception hosted by the San Marcos Convention and Visitor Bureau on W...

Police Seek Public’s Help to ID Aggravated Robbery Suspect

San Marcos Police are seeking help from the public identifying a man who robbed a Metro PCS store in February of this year.

On Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, a man robbed the Metro PCS store at 1515 Aquarena Springs Drive around 4:50 p.m. The suspect was disguised ...

Main Street awards May’s ‘Downtown Business of the Month’

Landis Shoe Clinic has been named the “May Downtown Business of the Month” by the San Marcos Main Street Program for serving the Downtown San Marcos community for over 100 years.

Located at 120 S LBJ Dr., this shoe repair shop has been ...

SMPD to Run the Torch for Special Olympics

The San Marcos Police Department will participate in the 2018 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on May 23.

“The purpose of the LE Torch Run is to bolster awareness of Special Olympics of Texas, as well as to raise funds for Special Olymp...

Planning Manager, GIS Analyst Honored by Texas State

Planning Manager Abigail Gilfillan and GIS Analyst Phillicia Phillips received an award for Outstanding Support from a Governmental Agency from the Texas State Geography Department recently.

The City of San Marcos Planning and Development Services departme...

Rabies Alert: Cat Tests Positive for Rabies in 1300 Block of Conway Drive

San Marcos Animal Protection Services is issuing a rabies alert in the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood after a cat bit its owner and another family pet.

Anyone who has had contact with the cat since Saturday, April 21 is urged to call San Marcos Animal Protect...

Sessom Bike/Pedestrian Improvements Project Complete

The City Capital Improvements and Engineering Department will host a ribbon cutting event on Monday, May 14 at 8:30 a.m. to celebrate the completion of the Sessom roadway, pedestrian and drainage project. The public is invited to attend.

The event will be ...

Police Successfully Utilize PIT Maneuver in Pursuits

San Marcos Police utilized the Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) to successfully bring two vehicle pursuits to a safe conclusion.

“These are great examples of our personnel safely and effectively utilizing tactical and pursuit training techniq...

SMEU Linemen Compete in National Lineworkers Rodeo

The San Marcos Electric Utility showed its stuff recently at the American Public Power Association’s 17^th Annual Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo on April 27-28 in Raleigh and Wake Forest, North Carolina. The competition is a series of events show...

Police Arrest Father, Son in Major Drug Case

The Hays County Narcotics Task Force and San Marcos Police have arrested two men transporting almost 50 pounds of high-grade marijuana and thousands of dollars in cash.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 3 officers with the Hays County Narcotics Task...

Police Arrest Suspects in February Hardware Store Burglary

San Marcos Police have arrested two men accused of burglarizing a San Marcos hardware store in early February.

On April 19, SMPD detectives arrested Daniel De Luna of San Antonio (DOB 4/19/1979) in the 600 Block of Lincolnshire Drive in San Antonio. De Lun...

San Marcos Residents Can Text Emergency Info to 9-1-1

With storm season in full swing, the City of San Marcos is reminding residents that in an emergency they can send text messages to 9-1-1 in the Central Texas area.

The Capital Area Council of Governments deployed Text to 9-1-1 service region wide in Octobe...

San Marcos Police Arrest Bank Robbery Suspect

San Marcos Police have arrested a man accused of robbing a bank in broad daylight Saturday morning.

“The City of San Marcos is blessed to have such dedicated professionals working to keep this community safe,” said Chief Chase Stapp. &a...

San Marcos Named Among Forbes “2018 Best Places to Retire”

Forbes.com has named San Marcos as a “Best Place to Retire,” alongside such cities such as Pittsburgh, Penn.; Athens, Ga.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Jacksonville, Fla. and Lexington, Ky.

“There is something in San Marcos for every...

City Council Approves New San Marcos Development Code

The San Marcos City Council approved Code SMTX, a new 434-page development code that aligns with the City’s comprehensive plan and will guide how the City grows in the coming years.

“This is a day of celebration! Our new code has been in the works for four...

Bike boxes repainted downtown for increased bicycle safety

The bike boxes downtown have recently been repainted to help increase bicyclist safety.

The green areas on N. LBJ at the intersections of Hopkins, Hutchison and University are called “bike boxes” and are designated areas where bicyclist...

San Marcos Municipal Court Delayed Until 10 a.m.

Hays County offices will have a delayed opening at 10 a.m. on Monday due to potential severe weather.  The San Marcos Municipal Court, which is housed in the Hays County Government Center will also open at 10 a.m.  All other City of San ...

City of San Marcos Prepares for More Outages

City of San Marcos Prepares for More Outages

The City of San Marcos Electric Utility (SMEU) continues to make repairs after addressing over four hundred outages today and fielding more than one thousand calls.  City officials say many of...

Harvey Continues to Bring Strong Rains and Officials Warn Residents to Stay Alert to Weather, Drivin

Harvey Continues to Bring Strong Rains and Officials Warn Residents to Stay Alert to Weather, Driving Situations

With additional road closures throughout Hays County and City jurisdictions, emergency management and first response officials continue to remi...

El Condado de Hays y La Cuidad de San Marcos activar completamente el Centro de Operaciones de Emerg

El Condado de Hays y La Cuidad de San Marcos activar completamente el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia; Establecer una línea telefónica no urgente para residents.

El Conda...

Hays County, City of San Marcos Fully Activate Emergency Operations Center; Establish Non-Emergency

Over Friday night and through early Saturday morning, sporadic heavy rains were reported and several low water crossings are closed throughout the county. No unusual events have occurred and no shelters are open at this time. Officials anticipate that hig...

SECRETARY CARSON ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $179 MILLION TO HELP STATES RECOVER FROM 2015, 2016 DISASTERS

SECRETARY CARSON ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $179 MILLION TO HELP STATES RECOVER FROM 2015, 2016 DISASTERS

Funding to support recovery in hard-hit areas of Florida, West Virginia, Texas, and the Carolinas

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development (...