This article is about a type of city governance structure in the United States. For city status conferred by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom, see city status in the United Kingdom. For charter cities as a proposed tool for economic development, see Charter city (economic development).
In the United States, a charter city is a city in which the governing system is defined by the city's own charter document rather than solely by general law. In states where city charters are allowed by law, a city can adopt or modify its organizing charter by decision of its administration by the way established in the charter. These cities may be administered predominantly by residents or through a third-party management structure, because a charter gives a city the flexibility to choose novel types of government structure. Depending on the state, all cities, no cities, or some cities may be charter cities.[1]
For example, in California, cities which have not adopted a charter are organized by state law. Such a city is called a General Law City (or a Code City), which will be managed by a five-member city council. A city organized under a charter may choose different systems, including the "strong mayor" or "city manager" forms of government.[2][3] As of January 21, 2020, 125 of California's 478 cities are charter cities.[4] A few examples include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San José, and the capital, Sacramento.[5]
Texasedit
Under Texas law, unless a city charter is passed, cities have only those powers granted under the Texas Constitution and the general laws of the state, and no more.
Once a city reaches a population of 5,000, the voters may petition an election for a city charter. If the charter is approved by the voters, the city is governed under home rule status, which allows the city to pass any ordinance which is "not inconsistent" with either the Texas Constitution or the general laws of the state. This has caused some turmoil between cities seeking to pass laws and the Legislature attempting to keep them from doing so; examples include plastic bag bans (or plastic bag fees) and bans on oil and gas drilling within city limits. The city may retain home rule status even if the population subsequently falls below 5,000.
Texas law does not allow counties or special districts (other than school districts) to operate under a charter; their powers are strictly limited to those under the Texas Constitution and general law. School districts may petition for a charter; however, no school district has done so.
^"Charter Cities". League of California Cities. May 9, 2007. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
^. State of California. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
^"Charter Cities List". League of California Cities. February 22, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
^. League of California Cities. Archived from the original on November 14, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
Further readingedit
Kemp, Roger L. (2007). Model Government Charters: A City, County, Regional, State, and Federal Handbook. Jefferson, NC, and London: McFarland and Co. ISBN978-0-7864-3154-0. OCLC 51210631.
Lang, Diane (December 1991). (PDF). New Mexico Municipal League. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2008. Discussion of Dillon's rule, charter cities and home rule in New Mexico.
External linksedit
January 01, 1970
charter, city, this, article, about, type, city, governance, structure, united, states, city, status, conferred, royal, charter, united, kingdom, city, status, united, kingdom, charter, cities, proposed, tool, economic, development, economic, development, this. This article is about a type of city governance structure in the United States For city status conferred by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom see city status in the United Kingdom For charter cities as a proposed tool for economic development see Charter city economic development This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Charter city news newspapers books scholar JSTOR January 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message In the United States a charter city is a city in which the governing system is defined by the city s own charter document rather than solely by general law In states where city charters are allowed by law a city can adopt or modify its organizing charter by decision of its administration by the way established in the charter These cities may be administered predominantly by residents or through a third party management structure because a charter gives a city the flexibility to choose novel types of government structure Depending on the state all cities no cities or some cities may be charter cities 1 Contents 1 California 2 Texas 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksCalifornia editFor example in California cities which have not adopted a charter are organized by state law Such a city is called a General Law City or a Code City which will be managed by a five member city council A city organized under a charter may choose different systems including the strong mayor or city manager forms of government 2 3 As of January 21 2020 125 of California s 478 cities are charter cities 4 A few examples include Los Angeles San Francisco San Jose and the capital Sacramento 5 Texas editUnder Texas law unless a city charter is passed cities have only those powers granted under the Texas Constitution and the general laws of the state and no more Once a city reaches a population of 5 000 the voters may petition an election for a city charter If the charter is approved by the voters the city is governed under home rule status which allows the city to pass any ordinance which is not inconsistent with either the Texas Constitution or the general laws of the state This has caused some turmoil between cities seeking to pass laws and the Legislature attempting to keep them from doing so examples include plastic bag bans or plastic bag fees and bans on oil and gas drilling within city limits The city may retain home rule status even if the population subsequently falls below 5 000 Texas law does not allow counties or special districts other than school districts to operate under a charter their powers are strictly limited to those under the Texas Constitution and general law School districts may petition for a charter however no school district has done so See also editCity state Dillon s Rule Free imperial city Home ruleReferences edit Total charter cities by state from Ballotpedia Charter Cities League of California Cities May 9 2007 Retrieved April 17 2008 California Government Code Title 4 Government of Cities Chapter 2 Classification State of California Archived from the original on March 30 2010 Retrieved April 17 2008 Charter Cities List League of California Cities February 22 2013 Retrieved June 23 2016 Charter Cities League of California Cities Archived from the original on November 14 2008 Retrieved November 14 2008 Further reading editKemp Roger L 2007 Model Government Charters A City County Regional State and Federal Handbook Jefferson NC and London McFarland and Co ISBN 978 0 7864 3154 0 OCLC 51210631 Lang Diane December 1991 Dillon s Rule and the Birth of Home Rule PDF New Mexico Municipal League Archived from the original PDF on May 30 2008 Retrieved December 26 2008 Discussion of Dillon s rule charter cities and home rule in New Mexico External links editCalifornia State Constitution Article 11 Local government Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charter city amp oldid 1210642352, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
