Terms of Service

Welcome to Santa Clara County, CA Public Services at santaclaracountyca.org. These Terms of Service explain the conditions for accessing and using this website. By using the website, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use.

Independent Information Resource

Santa Clara County, CA Public Services is an independent, non-government information resource. It is not an official county website and is not affiliated with, operated by, or authorized to represent Santa Clara County, any government agency, court, public department, or service provider. References to public offices and services identify the subjects covered; they do not imply government endorsement.

The website helps users locate public-service resources, tools, contact information, and frequently asked questions. Its role is informational. Official agencies remain responsible for their services, records, decisions, requirements, and transactions.

Information Covered

Content covers topics such as animal services, property assessments, vital records, building services, courts, public safety, environmental health, housing assistance, social services, libraries, education, transportation, water services, veterans services, and local government departments. Articles may explain where to find an official resource or which office handles a particular matter.

The website does not process applications, issue certificates, collect taxes, arrange benefits, resolve court matters, provide treatment, or conduct transactions on behalf of public agencies. Reading an article or following a link does not submit a request to an agency.

Official Verification

Users should independently verify all information with the relevant official source before acting. This is especially important for deadlines, eligibility rules, fees, court procedures, tax obligations, public-health guidance, and application requirements.

Public services and procedures can change. Although we aim to provide useful information, we do not guarantee that content is accurate, complete, current, or suitable for a particular purpose. An article’s publication or review date does not guarantee that every detail remains unchanged. When information differs, consult the responsible agency for clarification.

No Professional Advice

Content involving legal, financial, medical, or other professional matters is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice, financial or investment advice, tax advice, medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a substitute for guidance from a qualified professional.

Using this independent website does not create an attorney-client, clinician-patient, financial-adviser, or other professional relationship. Do not rely solely on website content to make decisions affecting your rights, finances, health, safety, or access to essential services. Verify agency requirements through official sources and seek qualified professional assistance when appropriate. This website is not an emergency service.

Free Access and Registration

The website does not charge users for accessing its informational content. Users do not need to register an account to read articles or use publicly available pages.

Government agencies, external service providers, and advertisers may charge fees for their own services. Those charges are separate from this website. A fee requested after leaving santaclaracountyca.org is not a fee charged by this website. Review the destination website and its terms before providing payment or personal information.

External Links and Advertising

Pages may include links to official resources and third-party websites, along with advertising, including advertisements delivered through advertising networks. External websites operate independently and have their own terms, privacy practices, fees, and service conditions.

A link or advertisement does not constitute a guarantee, recommendation, or endorsement. We do not control external content, transactions, security, or availability. Advertising placement does not establish government affiliation. Users are responsible for evaluating external providers and confirming whether a destination is an official agency website before taking action.

Acceptable Use

You may use the website for lawful personal research and general informational purposes, subject to these terms. You must not use it to mislead others, impersonate a government agency, facilitate unlawful conduct, or interfere with another person’s access.

Prohibited conduct includes introducing malicious software, attempting unauthorized access, bypassing access restrictions, exploiting vulnerabilities, disrupting website operations, or imposing excessive demands on website systems. You must not present this website’s content as an official government statement or claim that we have authorized a service or transaction without permission.

Automated Access and Data Collection

Misuse of the website through robots, crawlers, scripts, or other automated tools is prohibited. Unauthorized scraping, bulk downloading, systematic extraction, and automated copying of website content or data are not permitted.

Automated activity must not bypass technical restrictions, impair availability, or interfere with website operations. Any permission granted for automated access is limited to its stated scope and may be withdrawn if the activity violates these terms or disrupts the website.

Content Ownership and Reuse

Original website text, design, organization, and other protectable materials belong to their respective rights holders. Access does not transfer ownership or grant unrestricted permission to reproduce website content.

Unauthorized copying, redistribution, republication, or commercial use of website content or collected data is prohibited, except where applicable law permits the use. Government records and third-party materials may have different ownership or reuse rules. We do not claim ownership of materials merely because they are referenced or linked.

Availability and Liability

The website is provided on an “as available” basis. We do not guarantee continuous access, error-free operation, or uninterrupted availability of articles, tools, or external links. Content may be changed, removed, or temporarily unavailable.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, we disclaim warranties concerning accuracy, completeness, reliability, availability, and fitness for a particular purpose. We are not responsible for losses resulting from reliance on website information, service interruptions, data errors, missed deadlines, or third-party conduct. These limitations do not exclude responsibilities or rights that applicable law does not allow to be excluded.

Access Restrictions

We reserve the right to restrict, suspend, or terminate access involving unauthorized activity, violations of these terms, or interference with website operations. Access restrictions may be applied without advance notice when necessary to protect the website or its users.

Applicable Law and Updates

These terms are subject to applicable United States federal law and California law. Any dispute is subject to the jurisdiction of courts with lawful authority over the matter. Nothing in these terms removes rights or protections that cannot lawfully be waived.

We reserve the right to update these terms as the website or its practices change. Updates will be posted on this page, and notices will be provided through website announcements. Continued use after updated terms take effect constitutes acceptance to the extent permitted by law. Users should review this page periodically.