Earlier editions: 2026-09
Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Ch. 3.06 Motor Vehicle Registration Fee
Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Rancho Santa Margarita
Cite as: Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Chapter 3.06 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 3.06.010. - Intent.¶
This chapter is intended to support the South Coast Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD's) imposition of the vehicle registration fee to be used to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the California Clean Air Act of 1988, or other applicable plans, and to bring the City into compliance with applicable law in order to receive fee revenues for the purpose of implementing programs to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles.
(Ord. No. 00-10, § 2, 2-3-2000)
State Law reference— Requirements for ordinances, Health and Safety Code § 44243
Sec. 3.06.020. - Administration of vehicle registration fee.¶
(a) Receipt of fee. The additional vehicle registration fees disbursed by the SCAQMD and remitted to the City, pursuant to this chapter, shall be accepted by the Finance Director.
(b) Establishment of air quality improvement trust fund. The Finance Director shall establish a separate interest-bearing air quality improvement trust fund account.
(c) Transfer of funds. Upon receipt of vehicle registration fees, the Finance Director shall deposit such funds into the air quality improvement trust fund. All interest earned by the trust fund account shall be credited only to that account.
(d) Expenditure of air quality trust fund revenues. All revenues received from the SCAQMD and deposited in the trust fund account shall be exclusively spent to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles pursuant to the Clean Air Act amendments of 1991, the California Clean Air Act of 1988, or other applicable plan. Such revenues and any interest earned on the revenues shall be expended within the time required by law.
(e) Audits. The City consents to an audit of all programs and projects funded by vehicle registration fee revenues received from the SCAQMD pursuant to Section 44223 of the Health and Safety Code. The audit shall be conducted by an independent auditor selected by the SCAQMD as provided by law.
(Ord. No. 00-10, § 4, 2-3-2000)
State Law reference— Audit, Health and Safety Code § 44244.1(a).
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