Earlier editions: 2026-07
Santa Maria Municipal Code Ch. 2-26 Claims Procedures
Santa Maria Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Santa Maria
Cite as: Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 2-26 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Section 2-26.01. Authority and purpose.¶
This procedure is adopted under authority of Section 935 of the California Government Code, which authorizes a local public entity to establish a claims procedure for those matters excepted by Section 905 of the Government Code. The procedure is designed to provide early notice to the City, facilitate early investigation, and promote orderly, efficient processing of claims for money or damages against the City so as to avoid unnecessary lawsuits.
(Ord. 89-17 § 1, eff. 8/17/89)
Section 2-26.02. Claims required.¶
All claims against the City for money or damages not otherwise governed by the Government Claims Act, California Government Code Sections 900 et seq., or another state law (hereinafter in this ordinance, "claims") shall be presented within the time, and in the manner, prescribed by Part 3 of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the California Government Code (commencing with Section 900 thereof) for the claims to which that Part applies by its own terms, as those provisions now exist or shall hereafter be amended, and as further provided by this ordinance.
(Ord. 2007-08, eff. 7/5/07)
Section 2-26.03. Form of Claim.¶
All claims shall be made in writing and verified by the claimant or by his or her guardian, conservator, executor or administrator. No claim may be filed on behalf of a class of persons unless verified by every member of that class as required by this section. In addition, all claims shall contain the information required by California Government Code Section 910.
(Ord. 2007-08, eff. 7/5/07)
Section 2-26.04. Claim Prerequisite to Suit.¶
In accordance with California Government Code Sections 935(b) and 945.6, all claims shall be presented as provided in this section and acted upon by the City prior to the filing of any action on such claims and no such action may be maintained by a person who has not complied with the requirements of Section 2-26.02.
(Ord. 2007-08, eff. 7/5/07)
Section 2-26.05. Suit.¶
Any action brought against the City upon any claim or demand shall conform to the requirements of Sections 940-949 of the California Government Code. Any action brought against any employee of the City shall conform with the requirements of Section 950-951 of the California Government Code.
(Ord. 89-17 § 1, eff. 8/17/89; Ord. 2002-05, eff. 7/18/02; Ord. 2004-01, eff. 2/20/04; Ord. 2007-08, eff. 7/5/07)
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