Council introduces ordinance aligning candidate residency rules with state law

Placerville City Council on March 24 introduced and waived the first reading of an ordinance to update municipal code section 1-9-2, removing a one-year durational residency requirement for elective office that dates to 1962 and aligning local code with state law.

Staff explained the proposed ordinance clarifies that candidates must be registered voters residing in the city when nomination papers are issued and that owning property or a local business does not, by itself, establish residency for eligibility. The proposal also encourages prospective candidates to establish residency prior to filing to avoid eligibility challenges. City staff said the update carries no fiscal impact.

The council opened the item for public comment; no speakers addressed the ordinance. A council member moved, another seconded, and a roll-call vote introduced and waived the first reading (recorded as unanimous 'Aye'). The action moves the ordinance forward to future formal readings as required by municipal procedure.

Next steps: The ordinance will return for subsequent reading(s) and possible adoption under the city's normal ordinance schedule.