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...

05/02/2024
Because of damage to pilings sustained in a December storm, the Dolphin Restaurant is set to be taken down to effect repairs to the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

05/02/2024
The City of Santa Cruz cleared an encampment used by 30-40 people from the Harvey West Friendship Park on May 1.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

04/30/2024
in its April 30 meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council postponed a decision on the 59-unit housing development project at the site of the Herb Room on Mission Street amid fierce neighborhood opposition.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/25/2024
Demolition of the church at the center of the Santa Cruz circles was completed on April 23, making way for construction of a ring of house to be built on the 1.6-acre parcel.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

04/24/2024
The City of Santa Cruz acquired the Toadal Fitness parcel downtown for $2.5 million as part of the mixed-use library project.
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