Santa Cruz began its municipal life as a town in 1866, and then received its first city charter in 1876. In 1907, the citizens voted for a new charter with the mayor as chief executive and a seven-member city council. In 1948, Santa Cruz established a council-manager form of government, with a mayor and six councilmembers setting policy for the city and a city manager serving as the chief administrator. In 2022, the city went through another major shift, changing to by-district representation and a direct mayoral election.

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City Council

The Santa Cruz City Council is switching from at-large to district-based council elections.
Given that past councils have been dominated by westsiders, it will be interesting to see what changes occur once city residents are represented according to geographically set districts.

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Planning Commission

The Santa Cruz Planning Commission meets on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Details on how the public can watch, listen and comment online are available on the commission’s web page.

Recent Announcements

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City Opening Special Public Event Grant Applications

City Opening Special Public Event Grant Applications Santa Cruz, CA March 6, 2024 - The City of Santa Cruz is pleased to announce the opening of the Special Public Events Grant Application in coordination with the Health in All...
03/05/2024

Santa Cruz Transportation and Public Works Commission Hosts ‘Project Open House’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2024 Contact: Amanda Rodriguez, Community Relations Specialist, arodriguez@santacruzca.gov SANTA CRUZ, Calif. The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department and the Transportation and Public Works Commission will...
03/04/2024

Over $760,000 in Grant Funding for Community Organizations Helping Santa Cruz Youth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 16, 2024 Contact: Amanda Rodriguez, Community Relations Specialist, arodriguez@santacruzca.gov Santa Cruz, California - The City of Santa Cruz Children's Fund Oversight Committee is thrilled to offer grant funding to...
02/16/2024

Related News

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California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

01/15/2025
Following a public appeal, the interpretive plaque stolen from the wreckage of the collapsed Santa Cruz Wharf has been returned. Read on for more information.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

01/15/2025
In their January 14 meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council heard an update of information about the collapse of 150 feet of the Santa Cruz Wharf and that a determination on how to proceed would be made in April. Read on to learn more about the options under consideration.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

01/14/2025
Service Employees International Union Local 2015 has ratified an agreement with Santa Cruz County boosting the wages of in-home and long-term care workers. Read on for details.

Santa Cruz Local logo From Santa Cruz Local...

01/13/2025
Image for display with article titled 6-Story Apartment Complex Approved on Water Street in Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Jan. 9 unanimously approved plans for a six-story, 83-unit apartment building on the 900 block of Water Street in Santa Cruz. 
The new homes would be less than a block away from a five-story building at 831 Water St. approved in December.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

01/13/2025
Read on to learn more about a $200 million battery energy storage system planned for development near Watsonville.
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