March 4, 2025
Charter City Comparison and Process
1 Overview
2 Two kinds of municipal governance:
General Law or Charter City
121 of 482 California cities have charters
General Law Cities
3 Governed by CA Government Code
Municipal affairs (zoning, elections, personnel, taxation) bound by rules established by state
Charter Cities
4 Governed by a city charter
Can set local regulations on municipal matters that do not conflict with state constitution (zoning, elections, personnel, taxation)
Benefits
5 General Law
Charter
Simplified governance
Predictability
Lower legal costs
More local control
Can establish local taxes
Economic advantage – local preference policies, alternative bidding processes
Challenges
6 General Law
Charter
Limited autonomy
Restricted revenue options
One-size-fits-all state policies may not address local needs Complex governance
Potential legal conflicts
Process
7 Initiation
City Council
City Council-formed Charter Committee
Citizen Initiative (15% registered voters)
Elected Charter Commission
Election
Ballot measure adopted by simple majority
Action
8 Staff requests approval to further investigate a charter city proposal