In dealing with public encampments and vehicle habitation, city
officials must be sensitive to the constitutional rights of the
affected individuals, who are often homeless, and the many…
Few city officials or residents favor the idea of repealing an
ordinance intended to protect children from sexual predators, but
many cities with such ordinances are being forced to do just that
as…
This article presents the current legal constraints and
considerations related to local regulation of sober living homes
and residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, which
is limited…
The Legislature’s elimination of redevelopment agencies in 2012 stripped cities of several important tools to address blight in the community. Meanwhile, contamination or the threat of…
Wireless industry lobbyists continue to advocate before Congress,
state legislators and the Federal Communications Commission that
local zoning requirements are a barrier that must be cleared
away….
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is the primary
state law that requires public agencies and their decision-makers
to understand and evaluate the environmental consequences of
their…
Over the past several years, California cities and counties have
faced the issue of whether to permit or ban medical marijuana
dispensaries. Many cities imposed bans or prohibited
dispensary…
In light of a recent court decision, cities should make sure
their practices are consistent with the due process rights of
parties involved in quasi-judicial proceedings.
The Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 mandates
uniform, generally lower benefit formulas for all “new members”
of California public agency defined benefit retirement plans.
Cities are increasingly using civil actions rather than criminal
prosecution to curb illegal drug sales within their borders.
Often such actions are taken either under general nuisance laws
or the…
The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government defendants
from liability as long as their conduct did not violate clearly
established law. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on the
issue…
Many cities have hired recent retirees to bridge staffing needs
during the economic crunch. But failing to recognize and comply
with requirements of the statutes governing such hires can result
in…
Members of the public and local agency officials carrying out the
public’s business increasingly use electronic media to
communicate. This article provides an overview of the law,
discusses some…
Cities and other public entities are generally required to put
significant contracts out for competitive bidding and to award
the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. Sometimes a
decision is…
