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Government

Charter City Initiative

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Background

On February 17, 2026, the Fremont City Council approved a referral, submitted by Vice Mayor Zhang, to transform Fremont from a general law city to a charter city. Transitioning to charter city status requires voter approval and a structured process, including preparation of a proposed charter, public review, and placement of the measure on a ballot.

The stated goal of the referral is to “provide Fremont greater flexibility, stronger local control over municipal affairs, and the ability to modernize governance, streamline procurement, enhance project delivery, and tailor administrative and electoral systems to local needs.” The referral contemplated two options for placement on the ballot – either November 2026 or November 2028. Ultimately, in a 5-2 vote, City Council directed staff to move forward the option which reflects an accelerated schedule and placement on the ballot in November 2026. The full referral is available on the City’s website.

  • Charter City: Governed by a city charter, which acts as a "home rule" document.
  • General Law City (current structure): Bound by the California Government Code.

Drafting a city charter is authorized by the California state constitution, allowing cities to govern some municipal affairs independently. The process can be initiated either by the city council on its own motion or through the election of a charter commission by voters and requires a majority vote of the city's electorate. In this case, the City Council voted to retain full control of the development of the proposed charter, supported by structured input through a Mayor-appointed advisory committee. 

On March 3, 2026, the City Council approved a City Charter workplan that included the initiation of a Council-proposed charter process to evaluate, draft and consider submitting a City charter to Fremont voters at the November 3, 2026 election and the establishment of a seven member, Mayor appointed Charter Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will be responsible for assisting in reviewing and recommending provisions for the proposed charter.

On March 20, 2026, Mayor Raj Salwan appointed seven community members to the City Charter Advisory Committee.

Charter Advisory Committee Meetings

The Charter Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday evenings from March 23, 2026 through April 27, 2026. Meetings take place in the City Council Chambers, located at 3300 Capitol Avenue, Building A, at 5:00 p.m.

All meetings will be televised on Comcast Channel 27 and will be available to watch on the City of Fremont’s website or via Zoom. The Zoom link for each meeting can be found in the agenda packet. Agenda packets will be posted the Friday in advance of each meeting, on the City’s website.

Public Comments

For those wishing to make public comments at a Charter Advisory Committee meeting, you may either:

  1. Submit your comments by email prior to the meeting, or
  2. By spoken public comment in-person during the meeting.

To submit a public communications/public comment by email prior to the meeting, please send an email to councilmeetings@fremont.gov by 1:00 pm the day of the meeting.

March 23, 2026 - Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) First Meeting

March 30, 2026 - Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting

April 6, 2026 - Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting

April 13, 2026 - Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting

April 20, 2026 - Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting

April 27, 2026 - Charter Advisory Committee (CAC) Final Meeting

City Council Public Hearings

In accordance with State law, the Fremont City Council will hold two public hearings to review and discuss the Charter Advisory Committee's (CAC) recommendations and provide directions to City staff. These public hearings are scheduled to take place during the City Council's regular meetings on June 2, 2026, and July 7, 2026. Additionally, the City Council is scheduled to convene a special meeting on July 28, 2026, to make a final determination on whether to submit a City Charter proposal to Fremont voters for their consideration at the November 3, 2026, election.

June 2, 2026 - City Council First Public Hearing

July 7, 2026 - City Council Second Public Hearing

July 28, 2026 - City Council Final Vote (Special City Council Meeting)

Information will be posted once they become available.