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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Santa Cruz Local logo From Santa Cruz Local...

09/06/2024
Image for display with article titled Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Could Get Lower-Cost Rooms

A 232-room hotel that is expected for Front and Laurel streets in Downtown Santa Cruz could include rooms for low-income visitors, according to a California Coastal Commission staff report.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

09/06/2024
The Santa Cruz Sentinel explains the City of Santa Cruz's Measure Z, the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax, which is on the November ballot.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

09/05/2024
A proposed new law proposed for the City of Santa Cruz would prohibit the unsanctioned drop-off of homeless people in Santa Cruz, as allegedly occurred recently when two San Joaquin Valley police officers dropped a homeless person off in the city.

Santa Cruz Local logo From Santa Cruz Local...

08/30/2024
Image for display with article titled Earn Money by Advising Santa Cruz City and County Leaders

Have ideas to improve Santa Cruz County? Residents can now apply to have a direct line to Santa Cruz city and county leaders — and get paid a small sum for the privilege. 

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

08/28/2024
A letter from Santa Cruz City Manager on the city's approach to homelessness and homeless encampments.
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