Recommended by Charter Committee 1949. Approved by a special election, November 8, 1949, with a vote of 2068 YES to 1101 NO, presented to the House by Assemblyman Ralph R. Cloyed and to the Senate by Senator Fred H. Kraft. Ratified by the Legislature of the State of California on December 15, 1949.

WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CHARTER AS THE ORGANIC LAW OF SAID CITY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF SAID STATE.

Latest amendments were approved by the electorate on November 8, 2022.

•  CHARTER OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
• ARTICLE I. INCORPORATION AND CONTINUATION.
  • § 100. Name and Boundaries.
  • § 101. Property Rights and Liabilities.
  • § 102. Continuation of Laws and Contracts.
  • § 103. Original Effective Date of Charter; Subsequent Amendments.
• ARTICLE II. POWERS AND STRUCTURE.
  • § 200. Powers of City.
  • § 201. Structure of Government; Powers Vested in Council.
• ARTICLE III. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
  • § 300. Members, Eligibility, and Terms.
  • § 301. Powers to Judge Qualifications and Election Results.
  • § 302. Compensation for Councilmembers.
  • § 303. Vacancies.
  • § 304. Presiding Officer, Mayor.
  • § 305. Limitations on Authority.
  • § 306. Limitations on Powers of Eminent Domain.
  • § 307. Council Meetings.
  • § 308. Quorum Required to Conduct City Business.
  • § 309. Citizen Participation.
  • § 310. City Council Action Generally.
  • § 311. Ordinances.
  • § 312. Legal Notices.
• ARTICLE IV. CITY MANAGER.
  • § 400. In General.
  • § 401. Powers and Duties.
  • § 402. Participation at Council Meetings.
  • § 403. Absence or Disability of the City Manager.
• ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
  • § 500. Election, Appointment and Removal of Certain Officers, Department Heads and Other Positions in the Unclassified Service.
  • § 501. Administrative Departments.
  • § 502. City Clerk; Powers and Duties.
  • § 503. City Attorney: Election, Powers and Duties.
  • § 504. Office of Legislative Counsel; Duties.
  • § 505. Director of Finance; Powers and Duties.
  • § 506. City Council Authority to Add or Consolidate Functions.
  • § 507. Administering Oaths.
  • § 508. Department Heads; Appointment Powers.
  • § 509. Illegal Contracts; Financial Interest.
  • § 510. Acceptance of Other Office.
  • § 511. Limitations on Appointment of Relatives.
  • § 512. Official Performance Bonds.
  • § 513. Oath of Office.
• ARTICLE VI. APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
  • § 600. In General.
  • § 601. Funding and Compensation.
  • § 602. Appointments, Terms, and Vacancies.
  • § 603. Meeting Procedures.
  • § 604. Planning Commission.
  • § 605. Board of Library Trustees.
  • § 606. Civil Service Commission.
  • § 607. Parks and Recreation Commission.
• ARTICLE VII. CIVIL SERVICE.
  • § 700. Composition of the City Workforce.
  • § 701. Unclassified and Classified Service Designations.
  • § 702. Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
  • § 703. Appointments from Classified Service Positions.
  • § 704. Temporary Appointments.
  • § 705. Abolishment of Positions; Rights of Reinstatement.
  • § 706. Contract for Performance of Administrative Functions.
  • § 707. Improper Political Activity.
• ARTICLE VIII. RETIREMENT.
  • § 800. State System.
• ARTICLE IX. ELECTIONS.
  • § 900. In General.
  • § 901. Primary, General, and Special Municipal Elections.
  • § 902. Special Rules for Candidates.
  • § 903. Redistricting Commission Establishment and Redistricting Process.
  • § 904. Initiative, Referendum and Recall.
  • § 905. Regulations of Campaign Contributions.
• ARTICLE X. FISCAL ADMINISTRATION.
  • § 1000. Fiscal Year.
  • § 1001. Annual Budget Preparation by the City Manager.
  • § 1002. Budget Submission to the City Council.
  • § 1003. Public Hearing on the City Council’s Proposed Budget.
  • § 1004. Final Budget Consideration and Adoption.
  • § 1005. Budget Appropriations; Amendment.
  • § 1006. Taxes.
  • § 1008. Bonded Debt Limitations.
  • § 1009. Contracts on Public Works.
  • § 1010. Procurement System and Competitive Bidding for Non-Public Works.
  • § 1011. Property Storage, Distribution, Inventory and Disposition.
  • § 1012. Independent Audit.
• ARTICLE XI. FRANCHISES.
  • § 1100. Granting of Franchises.
  • § 1101. Resolution of Intention. Notice and Public Hearing.
  • § 1102. Term of Franchise.
  • § 1103. Grant to be in Lieu of all Other Franchises.
  • § 1104. Eminent Domain.
  • § 1105. Duties of Grantees.
  • § 1106. Exercising Rights without Franchise.
• ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS.
  • § 1200. Definitions.
  • § 1201. Violations.
  • § 1202. Validity.
  • § 1203. City Clerk Authority to Make Minor Corrections.
  • § 1204. Implementing Actions.
  • § 1205. Governing Law in the Event of Inconsistency.
•  Legislative History