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City Charter

What is the City Charter?

The first historical City Charter of the City of San Diego was created in 1889 (not available online). The original version of the current City Charter was approved by voters on April 7, 1931, adopted by the State Legislature on April 15, 1931 and filed with the Secretary of State April 24, 1931. The edition below includes articles of amendment through the municipal election of November 2020.

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City Charter Articles

ArticleTitle
Article ICorporate Powers (Sections 1-3)
Article IINominations and Elections (Sections 4-10)
Article IIILegislative Power (Sections 11-23)
Article IVThe Mayor (Sections 24-25)
Article VExecutive and Administrative Service (Sections 26-64)
Article VIBoard of Education (Sections 65-67)
Article VIIFinance (Sections 68-114)
Article VIIICivil Service (Sections 115-139)
Article IXThe Retirement of Employees (Sections 140-151)
Article XTransfer of Police and Fire Department Employees into the Retirement System
Article XIFireman’s Relief and Pension Fund
Article XIILabor on Public Work (Sections 193-201)
Article XIIICity Police Court (Sections 202-210)
Article XIVMiscellaneous Provisions (Sections 211-226)
Article XVStrong Mayor Form of Governance (Sections 250-295)
Article XVIElective Officers (Sections 300-304)