CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: September 3, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Telicia Lopez, Acting City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Subject: Adoption of Ordinance MC-1653, Enacting a Code of Ordinances Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying
and Compiling Certain existing General Ordinance of the San Bernardino Municipal Code.
Recommendation:
It is recommended the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, Adopt Ordinance No. MC-1653, Enacting a Code of Ordinances Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying and Compiling Certain existing General Ordinance of the San Bernardino Municipal Code.
Executive Summary:
The Mayor and City Council will consider adopting an ordinance enacting the updates made to the San Bernardino Municipal Code by American Legal Services, the vendor who was selected by staff to review, evaluate and codify the ordinance for language consistency and modernization. The updates made were to correct issues such as spelling errors, grammatical errors, updating references such as Common Council to City Council and using consistent formatting throughout the ordinance.
Background:
The San Bernardino Municipal Code is a compilation of ordinances that govern city operations and procedures. The City Clerk is responsible for maintaining and updating the Municipal Code, which is revised as ordinances are adopted, amended, or repealed.
Prior to 2014, the Municipal Code was only available in a hard copy format, during city business hours. To improve public access to city records and information, the Municipal Code was made available in PDF format on the City’s website in 2014.
Effective January 1, 2023, Government Code Sections 50022.1 through 50022.10 provide for the codification, compilation, recodification, and publication of the permanent and general ordinances of the City. This also allows the Municipal Code to be recodified, recompiled and readopted in the same manner as it was originally created.
In advance of the new Government Code coming into effect, in 2022 the City Clerk’s Office issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Municipal Code Web Hosting and Codification Services. A contract was awarded to American Legal Publishing to provide both services.
In June 2023, the City launched the Municipal Code web hosting platform, allowing the public and city staff to easily search, copy, and share code provisions. This online platform offers real-time updates, ensuring users have access to the most current version of the code as changes are made
Discussion:
Following the launch of the web hosting platform, American Legal Publishing began the codification process. This included a comprehensive review of all ordinances to ensure consistency, proper formatting, and accuracy. Edits were made to correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and to apply gender-neutral language. Outdated or repealed laws were also removed. No substantive changes were made that alter the meaning of any provision, rule, law, or tax.
American Legal Publishing, in addition to providing the web hosting service and initial codification, will also provide ongoing codification services of ordinances. This means once a new ordinance is adopted by the City Council, it is provided to American Legal to integrate into the Municipal Code system in a structured, easy to navigate format.
This modernization ensures the Municipal Code remains a clear, accessible, and reliable legal resource for both the public and city staff. The new system helps streamline the process and improve efficiency for updating the code, and provides a valuable resource for residents, businesses, and city officials.
On August 20, 2025, the Mayor and City Council Introduced, Read by Title Only, Waived Further Reading, and Scheduled for Adoption on September 3, 2025, Ordinance No. MC-1653, Enacting a Code of Ordinances Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying and Compiling Certain existing General Ordinance of the San Bernardino Municipal Code.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals:
The approval of this ordinance aligns with Goal No. 2: Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community. The approval of this ordinance will improve community engagement and organizational efficiency.
Fiscal Impact:
There are no costs associated with adopting this ordinance.
Conclusion:
It is recommended the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, Adopt Ordinance No. MC-1653, Enacting a Code of Ordinances Revising, Amending, Restating, Codifying and Compiling Certain existing General Ordinance of the San Bernardino Municipal Code.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Ordinance No. MC-1653 Adopting a Code of Ordinances Attachment 2 - Redline of Municipal Code by American Legal Publishing Ward:
All.