Statutory References for California Cities

STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES

These references direct the code user to those portions of the state statutes relevant to California cities. This reference list is current through August 2022.

* Applicable solely lo chartered cities. ** May not be applicable lo chartered cities.

General Provisions

Administrative fines and penalties Gov't Code § 53069.4

Alternative forms of government Gov't Code §§ 34851-34906**

Authority to adopt, amend, revise or rep al city charters Cal. Const. Art. Xl § 3 et seq.*

Citations for misdemeanors Penal Code §§ 853.5-853.85

Classifications of cities (chartered and general law) Gov 't Code §§ 34100-34102

Code adoption Gov't Code §§ 50022.1-50022.10

Conflict of Interest Gov't Code §§ 87100-87505

Elections Elec. Code §§ 1301 & 10200-10312 Gov't Code §§ 34050 & 36503

Expedited judicial review of First Amendment cases Code of Civ. Proc. § 1094.8

False statements concerning petitions Gov't Code § 34093

General powers Cal. Const. Art. XI § 7 Gov't Code §§ 37100-37200

Initiative and referendum Cal. Const. Art. XI § 7.5 Elections Code §§ 9200 et seq. & 9235 et seq.

Inspection of public records Gov't Code § 6250 et seq.

Judicial review of city decisions Code of Civ. Proc. § 1094.6

Ordinances Gov't Code §§ 36900-36937

Penalties for ordinance violations Gov't Code §§ 36900-36904

Police power Cal. Const. Art. XI § 7

Procedures for enacting, amending, or repealing city charters Gov't Code§ 34450 et seq.*

Administration and Personnel

Chief of police Gov't Code §§ -41601--41612**

City assessor Gov't Code §§ 41201--41205**

City attorney Gov't Code §§ -41801-41805**

City clerk Gov't Code §§ 40801-40814**

City manager Gov't Code §§ 34851-34859**

City officers generally Gov't Code §§ 36501-36525*

City records Gov't Code §§ 34090-34090.8

City treasurer Gov't Code §§ 41001--41007 **

Election of legislative body by districts Gov't Code § 34870 el seq.

Elective mayor Gov't Code §§ 34900-34906**

The California Emergency Services Act Gov't Code §§ 8550-8669. 7

Fire department Gov't Code § 38611

Legislative body Gov't Code §§ 36801--40592

Local emergencies Gov't Code §§ 8630-8634

Local planning agencies Gov't Code § 65100 et seq.

Mayor Gov't Code §§ 36801-36804 & 40601- 40605 **

Meetings ("Ralph M. Brown Act") Gov't Code § 54950 et seq.

Peace officer standards and training Penal Code §§ 13500-13553

Personnel system Gov't Code § -45000 et seq.

Retirement systems Gov't Code §§ -45300-45345 & 53060.1

Revenue and Finance

Bradley-Burns Bill of Rights Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 7221-7226

Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law Gov't Code § 37101 Rev. & Tax. Code § 7200 et seq.

Chartered city special assessment procedure Gov't Code § 43240*

Claims against public entities Gov't Code §§ 900-935.9

Contracting by local agencies ("Local Agency Public Construction Act") Pub. Cont. Code §§ 20100-20929

Development fees Gov't Code §§ 66000-66008

Documentary transfer tax Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 11901-11935

Economic development, state policy Gov't Code §§ 52200-52200.6

Financial powers, annual budget Gov't Code § 37200

Financial powers Gov't Code §§ 37201-37210

Fiscal year in chartered cities Gov't Code §§ 43120 & -43122*

Graffiti prevention tax Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 7287-7287.10

Local agency fees for specific purposes Gov't Code§§ 66012-66014

Property tax assessment, levy and collection Gov't Code §§ 43000-43073

Public works and public purchases Gov't Code §§ 4000-4563

Special gas tax street fund Str. & Hwys. Code § 2113

Transfer of tax function to county Gov't Code §§ 51500-51521 & 51540- 51562*

Occupancy taxes Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 7280-7283.51

Unclaimed property Civil Code §§ 2081-2081.6

Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (Bidding on public contracts) Pub. Cont. Code §§ 22000-22045

Business Licenses, Taxes and Regulations

Alcoholic beverages-Local authority Bus. & Prof Code §§ 23790-23791

Automatic checkout system regulation Civil Code §§ 7100-7106

Bingo Penal Code §§ 326.4-326.5

Business licensing by cities Bus. & Prof Code §§ 16000-16004 Gov't Code§ 37101

Charitable solicitations Bus. & Prof Code §§ 17510-17510.95

Commercial filming ordinances Gov't Code § 65850.1

Community antenna television systems Gov't Code §§ 53066--53066.5

Gambling Control Act Bus. & Prof Code §§ 19800-19987

Massage parlor ordinances Gov't Code §§ 51030-51034

Pet boarding facilities Health & Safety Code §§ 122380-122388

Private Investigator Act Bus. & Prof Code §§ 7512-7573.5

Taxicabs. vehicles for hire, and ridesharing Vehicle Code §§ 16500 et seq., 21100(b), & 21112 Gov't Code §§ 53075-53075.5

Animals

Animals generally Food & Agric. Code §§ 16301-19700

Cruelty to animals Penal Code §§ 596-600.5

Dangerous and vicious dogs Food & Agric. Code §§ 31601-31683

Dogs and dog licenses (regulation, ordinances and fees) Food & Agric. Code § 30501 et seq. Gov't Code § 38792

Rabies control Health & Safety Code §§ 121575-121710

Health and Safety

Delinquent garbage fees Gov't Code § 38790.1 (see also Gov't Code § 25831)

Fires and fire protection Health & Safety Code § 13000 et seq.

Fireworks generally Health & Safety Code § 12500 et seq.

Fireworks permits Health & Safety Code §§ 12640-12654

Garbage and refuse disposal Gov't Code § 38790 Pub. Res. Code §§ 49000-49620

Graffiti abatement Gov't Code §§ 38772 et seq. & 53069.3

Hospitals Gov't Code §§ 37600-37660

Littering and dumping Penal Code §§ 374-374.8

Noise control (general plan) Gov't Code § 65302(f)

Noise Control Act Health & Safety Code §§ 46000-46080

Nuisance abatement Gov't Code §§ 38771-38775 Penal Code §§ 370-373a

Weed and rubbish abatement Gov't Code §§ 39501-39588

Medical cannabis ordinances Health & Safety Code § 11362.83

Single user restrooms Health & Safety Code § 118600

Public Peace, Morals and Welfare

Crimes against property Penal Code §§ 450-593g

Crimes against public health and safety Penal Code §§ 369a--402c

Crimes against public justice Penal Code §§ 92--186.36

Crimes against the person Penal Code §§ 187--248

Crimes involving sexual assault and against public decency Penal Code §§ 261--368.7

Crimes against the public peace Penal Code §§ 403--420.1

Criminal storage of firearm Penal Code §§ 25100--25140

Minors (criminal procedure) Penal Code § 858(b) Welf. and Inst. Code §§ 100--1459

Weapons Penal Code §§ 12001 et seq, 17500--19405, & § 19910 et seq.

Vehicles and Traffic

Bicycle ordinances Vehicle Code §§ 21100-21118, 21200-21213 & 39000-3901

Curb markings Vehicle Code § 21-158

Establishments of crosswalks Vehicle Code § 21106

Local traffic rules and regulations Vehicle Code §§ 21100--21118

One-way street designations Vehicle Code § 21657

Pedestrian rights and duties Vehicle Code §§ 219419--21971

Speed laws Vehicle Code §§ 22348--22413

Stopping, standing, and parking Vehicle Code §§ 22500--22526

Through highways Vehicle Code §§ 21101b) & 21353--21354

Traffic control devices Vehicle Code §§ 21400--21401

Traffic signs, signals and markings Vehicle Code §§ 21350--21468

Turning, stopping, and turning and signals Vehicle Code §§ 22100--22113

Violations Vehicle Code §§ 40000.1--40008

Vehicle weight limit ordinances Vehicle Code §§ 35700--35722

Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places

Advertising displays Bus. & Prof Code §§ 5230--5231 & 5440 et seq.

Constructions of sidewalks and curbs Str. & Hwys. Code §§ 5870--5895.54

Improvement Act of 1911 Str. & Hwys. Code §§ 5000--6794

Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 Str. & Hwys. Code §§ 22500--22679

Municipal parks Pub. Res. Code § 5181 et seq.

Obstructions and encroachments of public ways Gov't Code § 38775

Tree Planting Act of 1931 Str. & Hwys. Code §§ 22000--22202

Underground utility lines Gov't Code § 38793 Str. & Hwys. Code §§ 5896.1--5896.17

Public Services

Connection fees (sewer and water) Gov't Code § 66013

Municipal sewers Gov't Code § 38900 et seq. Health & Safety Code §§ 5470-5474.10

Municipal water systems Gov't Code §§ 38730--38745

Water wells Water Code §§ 13700--13806

Inventory of known lead user service line Health & Safety Code § 116885

Buildings and Construction

Adoption of construction codes Health & Safety Code §§ 17922, 17958, & 17958.5

Authority to regulate buildings and construction Gov't Code §§ 38601(b) and 38660

Inspection warrants Code of Civ. Proc. §§ 1822.50--1822.60

Mobilehome Parks Act Health & Safety Code §§ 18200--18700

Signs Gov't Code §§ 38774 and 65850(b) Bus. & Prof Code § 5200 et seq.

State Housing Law Health & Safety Code §§ 17910--17998.3

Subdivisions

Subdivision Map Act Gov't Code §§ 66410--66499.40

Zoning

Family day care homes Health & Safety Code §§ 1597.30--1597.622

Local authority to regulate land use Gov't Code § 65850

Local planning generally ("Planning and Zoning Law") Gov't Code §§ 65000--66499.58

Local zoning administration Gov't Code §§ 65900--65909.5

Open-space zoning Gov't Code §§ 65910--65912

Zoning fees and charges Gov't Code § 66014

Environmental Protection

The California Environmental Quality Act Pub. Res. Code §§ 21000--21189.70.10

The California Noise Control Act of 1973 Health & Safety Code §§ 46000--46080

Online resource center for stormwater permit compliance Water Code § 13383.9

Ordinance regarding installation of drought tolerant landscaping Gov't Code § 53087.7

Wildfire mitigation (public electric utilities) Pub. Util. Code § 8387

* Applicable solely to chartered cities. ** May not be applicable to chartered cities.