California Municipal Law Blog
by Derek P. Cole on August 1, 2025
posted in
Administrative Regulations, Public Records Act,
The California Public Records Act (CPRA) guarantees access to the records of state and local governments. The act ensures public officials and employees conduct business transparently. It recognizes that government records belong to — and should always be available to — the people.
But the right to access public records is not unlimited. As a municipal lawyer, I regularly advise my clients on handling public records requests. I often encounter misperceptions about what the CPRA requires.
Here’s a look at the most common misperceptions — and what the act really says.
Fact: Agencies ... Continue Reading
tags:
California Public Records Act, CPRA, Public Records Act,
by Betsy Martyn on December 31, 2024
posted in
Administrative Regulations, CEQA, Code Enforcement, Employment Law, Legislative Updates, Uncategorised, Zoning,
Unless otherwise stated, all bills are effective January 1, 2025, and do not require an implementing ordinance to take effect. Please note, that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) is expected to release guidelines for some of the new housing laws. Our office will continue to update you as information is provided.
ZONING AND PLANNING
Zoning Ordinance Notice (Assembly Bill 2904) – Increases the notice period to 20 calendar days – Mandatory [Passed Sept. 27, 2024]
Assembly Bill 2904 (“AB 2904”) extends the notice period for public ... Continue Reading
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by Betsy Martyn on December 31, 2024
posted in
Administrative Regulations, Code Enforcement, Employment Law, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Public Works, Uncategorised,
All bills are effective January 1, 2025 unless otherwise provided.
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
Voluntary Disclosure of a Police Officer Termination – SB 400: Amends Penal Code 832.7 by adding (b)(13) which provides for voluntary disclosure by a public agency of the reason for termination for cause for the type of incident which must be disclosed.
13) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other law, an agency that formerly employed a peace officer or custodial officer may, without receiving a request for disclosure, disclose to the public the termination for cause ... Continue Reading
tags:
New laws, Public Records Act,
by Jillian Martins on July 10, 2024
posted in
Recent Court Decisions,
On July 8, 2024, the Ninth Circuit took its first action in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn their ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (“Grants Pass”). The Ninth Circuit released an Order and Memorandum vacating, in part, a preliminary injunction in a pending case Coalition on Homelessness v. City and County of San Francisco (“Coalition”), providing a first glimpse into how the largest federal appeals court in the nation interprets Grants Pass; and, potentially, how the Ninth Circuit will address regulations affecting the homeless population of a local entity ... Continue Reading
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by Jillian Martins on July 3, 2024
posted in
Code Enforcement, Recent Court Decisions,
Last week, the United States Supreme Court decided a case that overturned well-known precedent affecting the right of California cities to cite individuals for sleeping on public property. This decision has significant implications for how cities may now address encampments and related code enforcement issues.
The Boise Precedent
While there were a number of Ninth Circuit opinions which dealt with homeless enforcement issues prior to the now well-known decision in Martin v. Boise, the Boise opinion is widely considered to be a turning point in the ability of state and local governments ... Continue Reading
tags:
Code Enforcement, encampments, Martin v. Boise, unhoused populations, United States Supreme Court,
