Shafter City Hall opens its doors to public

City Hall office buildings reopened to the public on Monday, Feb. 8, with social distancing and the requirement of facial coverings to be worn by all who enter the buildings.

For the safety of the customers and the staff, these requirements will be in place until further notice.

Those customers who need to speak to city staff other than to make utility payments can make appointments for in-person transactions. All other city offices are open as well, including planning department buildings, animal control and the Shafter Police Department. The police department is open, but certain transactions are still being done by appointment only. Check the department’s website for details.

For over two months, the city was serving the community online and were completing in-person transactions through the window at the back of the building in the alleyway.

At the Shafter Police Department, the lobby is still closed, but residents will be allowed in by the dispatcher, keeping a limit on the number of people in the lobby for social distancing purposes.

For those people who need property from the city’s Property Room released, it is open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For those needing Livescan fingerprinting services, and Concealed Carry Weapon permits, this is still served by appointments. The appointments will be scheduled by Records to limit the number of people inside the lobby.

If you need copies of crime reports, requests will be filled on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as those who need a Citation Sign-off done.

At Animal Control, the office is open, but appointments are recommended. The shelter is adopting animals out again, with all visitors required to wear a mask, and adhere to the social distancing guidelines.

The shelter is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on Wednesdays. Wednesdays, the hours are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

They are open for licensing, adoptions, picking up strays, as well as responding to emergency calls. For more information, call 661-746-2140.