Looking for free sandbags near you in Marin? The County of Marin runs the official list of emergency sandbag stations, and this guide organizes it by town so you can find the closest one fast. We checked every location below against the County's sandbag page on October 26, 2026 (the County last updated it October 23, 2026).
Before you go: the County says free sandbag sites are meant for weather emergencies and recommends buying sandbags from a local hardware store before a storm, because supplies can run out and some sites limit bags per household. Bring your own shovel. Sites can change during the season, so check the official list on the day you go.
Why this winter matters
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center has an El Niño Advisory in effect, with a strong event likely through January–March 2027. That raises the odds of a wet winter in Marin, though NOAA stresses the usual impacts are likely, not guaranteed. If your home has flooded before, sits low near a creek or the bay, or has a driveway that slopes toward the garage, fill your sandbags before the first atmospheric river rather than during it. Our El Niño flood prevention guide covers the rest of the prep, and North Bay Pros has a printable storm-prep checklist.
Free sandbag stations by town
Addresses are as the County lists them. Many are parking lots or fire stations, so park where you won't block an entrance.
San Rafael
- Civic Center, 2 Peter Behr Dr.
- Boro Community Center parking lot, 50 Canal St. (Canal neighborhood)
- Menzies parking lot, 1428 Mission Ave.
- Peacock Gap Park, 599 Biscayne Dr.
- Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Ganado Rd.
Novato
- City of Novato Corporation Yard, 501 Davidson St. The City also has its own sandbag page.
Mill Valley and Tamalpais Valley
- Boyle Park parking lot, 71 Thalia St.
- Hauke Park parking lot, 1 Hamilton Dr.
- Milland Dr. fire road gate, 10 Milland Dr.
- Molino Avenue parking lot, 40 Molino Ave.
- Tamalpais Community Services District, 203 Marin Dr.
Sausalito and Marin City
- MLK Jr. Park, 610 Coloma St., Sausalito
- Sausalito Corps Yard, 530 Nevada St., Sausalito
- Marin City, 740 Drake Ave.
Tiburon and Belvedere
- Blackies Pasture, 1 Blackies Pasture Rd., Tiburon
- Belvedere Community Center, Community Rd.
- Lagoon Rd.
- Tether Park tennis courts, Beach Rd.
- W. Shore Rd.
Larkspur, Kentfield and Corte Madera
- Piper Park, 250 Doherty Dr., Larkspur. Larkspur also posts its own sandbag page.
- College of Marin parking lot #2, 10 Maple Ave., Kentfield
- Corte Madera Fire Station 14, 342 Tamalpais Dr.
- Cove School parking lot, 330 Golden Hind Passage, Corte Madera
Ross Valley: Ross, San Anselmo and Fairfax
- Entrance of Natalie Coffin Greene Park, end of Lagunitas Rd., Ross
- Sleepy Hollow Community Center, 1317 Butterfield Rd., San Anselmo
- Bank St. and Elsie Ln., Fairfax
West Marin
- Bolinas Fire Station, 100 Mesa Rd.
- Inverness Fire Station, 50 Inverness Way
- Nicasio Corp Yard, 5600 Nicasio Valley Rd.
- Point Reyes Station, 4th and B St.
- Stinson Beach Fire annex, 100 Calle Del Arroyo
- Woodacre Station, 33 Castle Rock Ave.
The County doesn't publish hours or bag limits for each site on its list. If you need those details, or your town isn't listed, check the County's page or call your city or town hall.
How to fill sandbags
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and OSHA give the same basic advice:
- Fill each bag only one-half to two-thirds full. Overfilled bags burst and won't lie flat against each other (Cal OES; OSHA).
- Work in pairs. One person holds the bag open at knee-to-waist height, the other shovels. Swap jobs often.
- Wear gloves and eye protection. Cal OES also suggests a dust mask. People with asthma or other breathing problems may want to skip filling and ask for help.
- Fold the top closed rather than tying it, unless the bag will be moved a long way.
- Lift with your legs and carry bags close to your body. A filled bag is heavy, and wet sand is heavier.
Want a local pro to take a look?It's free for homeowners and there's no obligation.
How to place them
- Put bags where water would enter: across doorways, the bottom of garage doors, low vents and the low point of a driveway that slopes toward the house.
- Lay a sheet of plastic first on the side facing the water, if you have one, and tuck it under the first row.
- Lay bags lengthwise, folded end tucked under, and stagger the joints like bricks. Press or stamp each bag down so it seals against the one beside it (Cal OES).
- Keep a simple wall low. Cal OES says a single-stack wall shouldn't go higher than about 1 foot, or three bags high (Cal OES).
- Don't block drains or push water onto a neighbor's property. Sandbags should divert water around a building, not plug storm drains or redirect runoff to someone else (Cal OES).
- Watch them during the storm. If water rises fast or bags shift or leak, it's time to leave, not to add another row.
Sandbags slow and redirect shallow water. They don't make a house waterproof, and water can seep through them. If water does get inside, the first few hours matter most.
Who needs sandbags most in Marin
- Bayfront and canal neighborhoods in San Rafael, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Sausalito and Tiburon, where a heavy storm at high tide can back water up through low streets.
- Ross Valley homes along Corte Madera Creek and San Anselmo Creek, which rise fast in long storms.
- Hillside homes in Mill Valley, Fairfax and San Anselmo with driveways or garages below street level.
- Homes with a history of water in the garage or crawlspace. If it happened once, it can happen again.
Marin County Public Works also recommends testing sump pumps and keeping sandbags on hand before high tides and storms. Sign up for AlertMarin so you hear about flood warnings early.
If water gets in anyway
Get people and pets safe first, and stay out of floodwater. Once it's safe, photograph everything, stop the source if you can, and start drying. The EPA says drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours usually prevents mold (EPA). Our first 24 hours after water damage article walks through it, and we can connect you with an independent, licensed flood cleanup provider any time, day or night.
Dealing with this right now?Tell us what's happening and we'll connect you with an independent local provider.
Related reading
- El Niño flood prevention for Marin homes
- Crawlspace flooding in Marin
- King tides and storm surge for bayfront homes
- Marin creek flooding and your home
Sources
- Marin County Office of Emergency Management: Emergency sandbags (updated Oct 23, 2026)
- City of Novato: Where to get sandbags
- City of Larkspur: Sandbags
- Marin County Public Works: Prepare for storms
- Cal OES: Using sandbags safely
- Cal OES: Storm season safety and sandbags
- OSHA: Filling, moving and placing sandbags
- NOAA CPC: ENSO diagnostic discussion
- EPA: A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home
Station list checked October 26, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free sandbags in Marin County?
The County of Marin lists more than 30 free emergency sandbag sites, from San Rafael's Civic Center to fire stations in West Marin. Check the County's emergency sandbags page for the current list before you go.
Do I need to bring a shovel?
Yes. The County recommends bringing your own shovel. Sand and bags are provided at the sites, but you fill the bags yourself.
Is there a limit on free sandbags?
Some Marin sites limit the number of bags per household, and supplies can run out during storms. The County recommends buying sandbags from a hardware store ahead of time.
How full should a sandbag be?
One-half to two-thirds full, according to Cal OES and OSHA. Fold the top closed and stagger the bags like bricks.
Will sandbags keep my house dry?
Not completely. Sandbags redirect shallow water away from doors and garages, but water can seep through them.