Hawthorne Municipal Code Ch. 1.08 City Name and Seal

The municipal corporation now existing and known as "the city of Hawthorne" shall remain and continue a body politic incorporate, as at present, in fact and in law, by the name of the "city of Hawthorne."

(Prior code § 2-100)

The seal of the city, hereby adopted, shall be circular in form with a replica of the City Hall in the center surrounded by a wreath of Hawthorne bush leaves and berries. Inscribed on said seal shall be the words "City of Hawthorne, California, Incorporated, 1922." The city council may alter, modify or replace the said city seal by resolution. (See Res. 4867)

(Prior code § 2-103)

A. The city seal is the property of the city of Hawthorne. The city council shall have custody of the city seal.

B. Use of the city seal shall be limited to purposes directly connected with the official business of the city.

C. With the exception of uses directly connected with the official business of the city, neither an elected official of the city, nor any other person, firm, or organization shall use or allow to be used the city seal, or any copy, reproduction, or imitation thereof, for any purposes whatsoever, without the approval of a majority of the members of the city council.

D. Said person, firm, or organization seeking use of the city seal shall provide a sample or image thereof upon which the city seal is to be used, or a description of the use if a sample or image is otherwise infeasible, to the city manager prior to seeking approval of the city council.

E. The city council may approve the use of the city seal when the use of the city seal is for local civic, local cultural, local charitable or other non-profit, non-political and non-religious purposes. Approval shall be memorialized by resolution of the city council. The city council may subject use of the city seal to any reasonable conditions or limitations it deems appropriate. Approval to use the city seal shall not be assignable.

F. Any person, firm, or organization approved to use the city seal shall agree, in writing, not to use the city seal for purposes not allowed by the city council, or to otherwise distort, alter or modify the city seal for their use. Failure to utilize the city seal in the manner represented to, and approved by, the city council shall be cause for immediate revocation of the city council's approval.

G. Except where required by law or as part of a program that has been approved by a majority of the members of the city council (which approval must be memorialized by resolution of the city council) neither the city seal, nor any copy, reproduction, or imitation thereof, shall be printed or applied to any award or certificate that: (1) is issued by any individual or organization other than the city; or (2) includes text or graphics indicating sponsorship of the award by any individual or organization other than the city.

H. Except to the extent specifically authorized pursuant to subsection E of this section, neither an elected official, appointed official or employee of the city, nor any other person, firm or organization shall use the city seal or any copy, reproduction, or imitation thereof, on any website or social media account that is not an official website or social media account of the city.

I. The prohibition contained in subsection H does not apply to any reproduction of a document or electronic publication, such as an event announcement, that has otherwise been produced in compliance with this section. For example, subsection H does not prohibit any person from posting a complete copy or scan of an official city of Hawthorne event announcement on a private website.

J. Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit any use of the city seal, or any copy, reproduction, or imitation thereof, that the city is required by state or federal law to permit.

(Ord. 2038 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2207 § 1, 2020)

The violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a nuisance and may be abated by the city through civil process by means of restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or in any other manner provided by law for the abatement of such nuisance.

(Ord. 2038 § 2, 2013)