Discussion of Potential
Term Limits for Elected
Officials
Background
•November 4, 2025 City Council meeting
•Mayor Pro Tem Gregory requested discussion of term limits •City Council agreed item should return for further consideration What Is a Term Limit?
•A term limit restricts the number of terms an elected official may serve •Applies to offices such as Mayor and City Council
•Once the limit is reached, the individual must:
•Leave office permanently (lifetime limit), or
•Step away for a required period before running again (consecutive limit) Existing Landscape
• Mayor and City Councilmember are elected to four-year terms • Mayor: at large
• City Council: by district
• Staggered terms
• No term limits
Pros and Cons of Term Limits
Common benefits:
• Encourages new leadership
• Prevents entrenchment
Common concerns:
• Loss of experience
• Reduced institutional knowledge
Other typical feedback:
• Elections serve as term limits
Legal Authority
•California Government Code §36502(b)
•Authorizes general law cities to adopt term limits
•Applies to Mayor and/or City Councilmembers
Key State Law Requirements
• Two mandatory requirements:
• Term limits must be prospective only
• Term limits require voter approval
Prospective Application Explained
•Cannot apply retroactively
•Applies only to:
•Terms elected at the same election the measure passes, or •Future elections
•Example:
•Term Limit Measure approved in November 2026
•Applies to terms elected in 2026 and later
•Does not apply to terms elected in 2020, 2022, or 2024, etc.
Voter Approval Requirement
• Must be approved by a majority of voters
• Must be placed on the ballot at a:
• Statewide primary election
• Statewide general election
• General municipal election
Election Timing
Two possible methods:
1.Voter initiative
•Requires signatures from 10% of registered voters
2.City Council action
•Council adopts resolutions placing measure on ballot
• City Attorney prepares impartial analysis
• Public may submit arguments for and against
No Required Structure
•State law does not mandate a specific format
•Term limits structure is a local policy decision
•Must comply with state law requirements
Term Limit Structure Options
• Common policy choices include:
• Two-term or three-term limits
• Lifetime limits or consecutive limits
• Combined or separate limits for Mayor and Council
• Treatment of partial terms
Length of Term Limits
• Most cities adopt:
• Two-term limits, or
• Three-term limits
• One-term or four-term limits are legally allowed but uncommon • Two Term Limit = 8 Years
• Three Term Limit = 12 Years
Lifetime vs. Consecutive Limits
Lifetime Limits
• Once limit is reached, individual may never serve again Consecutive Limits
• Requires a “cooling-off” period
• Typically 2 or 4 years
• After break, individual may run again
Mayor vs. Council Limits
Options include:
• Combined limit for service as Mayor or Councilmember
• Separate limits for each office
• Examples:
• Two-term lifetime combined limit
• Two-term Mayor / three-term Council
• Two-term consecutive combined limit
Partial Terms
• Cities vary in how partial terms are counted:
• Do not count partial terms
• Count any portion as a full term
• Hybrid approach (e.g., count if more than 2 years served) • Additional considerations:
• Appointments
• Special elections
• Recall, removal, or conviction
Nearby Cities
City Term Limits in Effect? Mayor Term Limits Council Term Limits San Luis Obispo Yes 2-year terms
Max 4 consecutive terms
4-year terms
Max 2 consecutive terms
Grover Beach Yes 2-year terms
Max 2 consecutive terms
4-year terms
Max 2 consecutive terms per
position; may run again after ~23-
month break
Arroyo Grande No N/A N/A
Atascadero No N/A N/A
Morro Bay No N/A N/A
Pismo Beach No N/A N/A
Paso Robles No N/A N/A
Fiscal Impact
• No fiscal impact from discussion or direction
• Election costs incurred only if measure is placed on ballot • November general elections typically lower cost
• Costs shared among participating jurisdictions
• County does not provide advance cost estimates
Council Options
Take no
action/receive and
file
01 Direct staff to
prepare a term
limits measure and
election resolutions
02 Provide alternative
direction to staff
03 Decision Matrix
Policy Area Decision Options Policy Implications
Offices Covered
Mayor only
Council only
Combined Mayor/Council
Separate limits
Combined limits emphasize turnover across offices; separate limits allow experience in one role while limiting the other.
Number of Terms
Two terms
Three terms
Other
Fewer terms increase turnover; more terms preserve institutional knowledge and continuity.
Limit Type Lifetime
Consecutive (with break)
Lifetime limits prevent return to office; consecutive limits allow experienced officials to return after a cooling-off period.
Cooling-Off Period (if consecutive)
2 years
4 years
Other
With 4-year terms, shorter breaks may function similarly unless a vacancy occurs.
Partial Terms
Not counted
Count as full term
Hybrid threshold
Affects fairness and discourages strategic mid-term resignations.
Adoption Method Council-placed measure
Voter initiative
Council action allows clearer policy design; both require majority voter approval.
Election Timing Nov. 3, 2026 (earliest feasible) Ballot materials due to County by July 2026.
Council Options
Take no
action/receive and
file
01 Direct staff to prepare a term limits
measure and election resolutions
- Determine policy decisions
tonight?
- Establish Ad Hoc Committee?
- Time is of the Essence
02 Provide alternative
direction to staff
03