California cities operate as either general law cities or charter cities.

General law cities, like Orange, operate under state laws that establish their governmental structure and define many of the powers and procedures used to conduct local government. 

Charter cities adopt a local governing document, known as a city charter, that provides additional authority over municipal affairs while continuing to comply with the California Constitution and state laws governing matters of statewide concern. 

Charter cities may exercise authority over municipal affairs as provided by Article XI of the California Constitution and applicable judicial decisions. General law cities operate under state statutes except where otherwise authorized.

Police, fire, parks, libraries, recreation programs, public works, and other City services would continue to operate as they do today. 

Becoming a charter city would not fundamentally change Orange’s leadership structure. The City would continue operating under its existing Council-Manager form of government. Residents would continue to directly elect their Mayor, as well as Council Members in district-based elections, unless otherwise changed by ordinance. The Proposed Charter would provide flexibility for future election procedures to be established by ordinance, subject to applicable state and federal law.  

Orange would not be unique by becoming a charter city. Approximately one-third of Orange County cities have adopted charters, including Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Placentia, Santa Ana, and Seal Beach.

Orange would remain subject to the California Constitution and state laws governing matters of statewide concern. The Proposed Charter specifically provides that Orange will continue to follow California law regarding land use, zoning, General Plan consistency, subdivision law, and housing law unless otherwise authorized.

No, unless otherwise stated, existing ordinances remain in effect unless amended or repealed by the City Council in accordance with applicable law.

No. Adoption of the Proposed Charter would not exempt the City from complying with applicable state housing laws. The Proposed Charter expressly provides that the City will continue to comply with state laws governing land use, zoning, General Plan consistency, subdivision law, and housing unless otherwise authorized by law.