Earlier editions: 2026-09
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO, CALIFORNIA
El Cerrito Municipal Code Art. II Continuation of Boundaries, Form of Government, and Existing Law
El Cerrito Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · El Cerrito
Cite as: El Cerrito Municipal Code Article II · Text as of 2026-10-04
200. - Incorporation and succession.¶
The City shall continue to be a municipal corporation known as the City of El Cerrito. The boundaries of the City shall continue as established prior to this Charter taking effect until changed in the manner authorized by law. The City shall remain vested with and shall continue to own, have, possess, control, and enjoy all property rights and rights of action of every nature and description owned, had, possessed, controlled, or enjoyed by it at the time this Charter takes effect. The City shall be subject to all debts, obligations, and liabilities of the City at the time this Charter takes effect.
(Ord. of 11-6-2018)
201. - Form of government.¶
The government of the City shall continue to be the Council-Manager form of government as established by the El Cerrito Municipal Code at the time that this Charter takes effect and by the laws of the State of California. The Council-Manager form of government of the City may be changed in the same ways and using the same procedures as a general law city.
(Ord. of 11-6-2018)
202. - City council, city manager, and city attorney.¶
(a) The City Council shall establish the policy of the City. The City Manager shall carry out that policy.
(b) The City Council shall appoint the City Manager.
(c) The City Manager, as the chief administrative officer of the City, shall appoint all department heads other than the City Attorney. Involvement in administrative matters by the City Council or by any individual Councilmember shall occur only through the City Manager or pursuant to direction by the City Manager to members of the administrative staff.
(d) The City Council shall appoint the City Attorney. The City Attorney may be an employee of the City or an independent contractor providing legal services pursuant to a contract.
(Ord. of 11-6-2018)
203. - Continuation of existing local laws.¶
All ordinances, codes, resolutions, regulations, rules, and portions thereof, in force at the time this Charter takes effect, and not in conflict or inconsistent herewith, shall continue in force until repealed, amended, changed, or superseded in the manner provided by this Charter and any other applicable laws.
(Ord. of 11-6-2018)
204. - General state laws.¶
Except as provided in this Charter and in any ordinance, code, resolution, or other law adopted by the City Council regarding a matter that is a municipal affair, the City shall be governed by the general laws of the State of California.
(Ord. of 11-6-2018)
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