CHAPTER 1. Organization [36801. - 36815.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 1.
in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36801. Section 36801.

The city council shall meet at the meeting at which the declaration of the election results for a general municipal election is made pursuant to Sections 10262 and 10263 of the Elections Code and, following the declaration of the election results and the installation of elected officials, choose one of its number as mayor, and one of its number as mayor pro tempore.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36802. Section 36802.

The mayor shall preside at the meetings of the council. If the mayor is absent or unable to act, the mayor pro tempore shall serve until the mayor returns or is able to act. The mayor pro tempore has all of the powers and duties of the mayor.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36804. Section 36804.

If the city clerk is absent, the deputy city clerk shall act. If there is none, the mayor shall appoint one of the council members as city clerk pro tempore.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36805. Section 36805.

The city council shall hold regular meetings at least once a month at times fixed by ordinance or resolutions. It may adjourn any regular or adjourned meeting to a date specified in the order of adjournment. When so adjourned, the adjourned meeting is a regular meeting for all purposes.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36809. Section 36809.

When an order of adjournment of a regular meeting fails to state the hour at which the adjourned meeting is to be held, it shall be held at the hour specified for regular meetings.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36810. Section 36810.

A majority of the council constitutes a quorum for transaction of business. Less than a majority may adjourn from time to time, and compel attendance of absent members in the manner and under the penalties prescribed by ordinance.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36811. Section 36811.

If all council members are absent from any regular meeting, the city clerk shall declare the meeting adjourned to a stated day and hour. The city clerk shall cause a written notice of the adjournment to be delivered personally to each council member at least three hours before the adjourned meeting.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36812. Section 36812.

After incorporation, the city council is judge of the qualifications of its members and of election returns. It shall determine contested elections of city officers.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36812.1. Section 36812.1.

If a written statement to contest the election of a city officer pursuant to Sections 16400 and 16401 of the Elections Code is filed with the city clerk prior to the commencement of any proceeding by the city council, pursuant to Section 36812, the authority of the city council to commence those proceedings shall be suspended for the applicable period of time specified in Section 16401 of the Elections Code for the filing of the statement of contest. Upon the expiration of the period of time, the city council may proceed pursuant to Section 36812 if no proceedings have been instituted pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 16500) of Chapter 6 of Division 16 of the Elections Code, or those proceedings are terminated without judgment being rendered by the court.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36812.5. Section 36812.5.

A city may defend any person elected to the city council or to the office of city clerk or city treasurer in any election contest instituted for any of the causes set forth in subdivisions (a), (d), or (e) of Section 16100 of the Elections Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36813. Section 36813.

The council may establish rules for the conduct of its proceedings. It may punish a member or other person for disorderly behavior at a meeting.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36814. Section 36814.

The council shall cause the clerk to keep a correct record of its proceedings. At the request of a member, the city clerk shall enter the ayes and noes in the journal.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 36815. Section 36815.

Any reference to “councilman” or “councilmen” shall also mean and include “councilwoman” or “councilwomen.” A female member of a city council may designate herself “councilwoman.” Any member of a city council may designate himself or herself “councilmember.”
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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