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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 5Art. 10§ 54255 Local Ordinance Referendum Process

§ 54255 Local Ordinance Referendum Process

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 54255 Local Ordinance Referendum Process

Key Takeaways

  • •If a local rule can be challenged by voters, it must be shared publicly within 15 days after it's made.
  • •If a local group doesn't have the power to make a rule, they can still make one if most of the members agree.
  • •People can ask for a vote to change or cancel the rule if they don't like it.
  • •Only the people who live in the area and can vote in big elections can ask for this vote.

Example

A small town wants to make a new rule about where people can park their cars.

The town must share this new rule with everyone within 15 days. If some people don't like the rule, they can ask for a vote to change or cancel it. Only the people who live in the town and can vote in big elections can ask for this vote.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 54255 Local Ordinance Referendum Process

(a) Any ordinance subject to referendum under Section 54253 shall be published after adoption as required by law for ordinances of the local agency generally, or, if there is no requirement applicable to the ordinance, then once pursuant to Sections 6040 to 6044, inclusive, within 15 days after the adoption of the ordinance. (b) If a local agency does not otherwise have statutory power to enact an ordinance pursuant to Section 54253, the governing body of the local agency may introduce and enact an ordinance at any regular or adjourned regular meeting by a majority vote of all of its members. If ordinances of a local agency are not otherwise subject to referendum, then the local agency may proceed as follows: (1) The governing body of the local agency may refer any ordinance enacted pursuant to Section 54253 to the electors of the local agency in the same manner as the board of supervisors of a county may refer county questions pursuant to Section 9140 of the Elections Code. (2) The electors of the local agency shall have the right to petition for referendum on the ordinance in the same manner and subject to the same rules as are set forth in Sections 9141 to 9145, inclusive, of the Elections Code, except that all computations referred to in those sections and officers of the county mentioned in those sections shall be construed to refer to comparable computations and officers of the local agency. (c) If the governing board of a local agency is an elected board, the electors of the local agency for the purposes of this section shall be the electors of the territory entitled to vote at elections for members of the governing board or in the case of county service area, the electors within the county service area. If a local agency does not have an elected governing board, the electors residing within the boundaries of the local agency who would be qualified to vote for candidates for Governor at any gubernatorial election shall be the electors of the local agency for the purposes of this section. (Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 923, Sec. 80. Effective January 1, 1995.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

ordinanceadoptionreferendumgovernorelections codemajoritypetitionrequirement

Related Statutes

  • § 6547.2 Local Ordinance Referendum Notice
  • § 6546.4 Local Agency Ordinance Election
  • § 23701 County Charter Commission Elections
  • § 23705 Charter Commission Election Process
  • § 20571 Contract Termination By Vote

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 54255.
View Official Source