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...

10/28/2024
Image for display with article titled ‘Concerning’ Use of Force Described in Santa Cruz County Inspector General Report

The Santa Cruz County Office of the Inspector General plans to share findings of its first report and gather input in a meeting Monday and at a Santa Cruz County supervisors meeting Tuesday.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

10/25/2024
A summary of the City of Santa Cruz response to the Civil Grand Jury report on its efforts to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence and associated data tracking.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

10/24/2024
An update to the ongoing repairs to the Santa Cruz Wharf including the demolition of the Dolphin Restaurant.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

10/23/2024
A report on the Santa Cruz City Council meeting of October 24 and the decisions made in advancing the Downtown Expansion Plan for the 29-acre neighborhood south of Laurel Street.

Santa Cruz Local logo From Santa Cruz Local...

10/21/2024
Image for display with article titled Proposed Downtown Santa Cruz Rules Seek to Cap Building Heights

As the City of Santa Cruz moves forward with a plan to expand downtown, the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday is set to consider a strategy to temper new building heights and support below-market-rent homes.

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