City Laws

City Charter

The City of Napa is a California charter city, subject to the terms of the City Charter. The City Charter was ratified by the voters in an election held on December 16, 1914, with an effective date of January 26, 1915. The City Charter may be amended only by a vote of the City's electorate.

Establishing City Laws

The City Council, as the governing body of a charter city, is authorized to establish City laws under its "home rule" authority, as set forth in California Constitution Article XI, Section 5. City laws are approved by the City Council in the form of ordinances, resolutions, or other actions of the City Council documented in the minutes of public meetings. City ordinances that have general applicability throughout the City are collected and codified in the Napa Municipal Code.

City resolutions that have general applicability throughout the City are collected and organized in the City's Policy Resolutions. Other ordinances, resolutions, and minute actions are available through the City Clerk or the Public Records Center. Additionally, the City's Planning Division has collected City resolutions and procedures related to land use regulation in the Planning Division Library of Documents.