New Laws

Town Council approves numerous ordinances each year. This summary highlights new laws that are most likely to affect residents.

2019 Ordinances affecting citizens

LIQUORHearing OfficerOrdinance No. 2019-001
Authorizes the Municipal Judge or Alternate Municipal Judge to serve as the Liquor License Hearing Officer.
Effective March 7, 2019
WATERSewer Line MaintenanceOrdinance No. 2019-006
Clarifies the Town's right to make repairs or modifications at Town expense to privately owned sewer service lines within the public right-of-way. Effective May 16, 2019
POLICEKratom Sales to MinorsOrdinance No. 2019-001
Kratom prohibited to be sold to anyone under the age of 18.  Effective July 4, 2019

More information

View copies of all the ordinances adopted in 2019.

2018 Ordinances affecting citizens

COUNCIL
Mayor and Six Council Districts
Ordinance No. 2018-002
Charter Amendments - Transition plan to elect an At-Large Mayor in November 2018, set boundaries for Six Council Districts, and establish qualifications for the Mayor.
Passed at election on May 15, 2018
COUNCIL
Nominating Petitions
Ordinance No. 2018-022
Citizen Committee recommendation and Council passed - Requires Mayoral candidates to obtain 10 signatures per district on their nominating petitions and all candidates to circulate their own nominating petitions.
Effective July 19, 2018
COUNCIL
Mayor Duties
Ordinance No. 2018-026
Charter Amendments – Defines powers of the Mayor to reflect same powers as Councilmembers. Restricts Mayor from directing staff or having control over employment of staff. Outlines voting requirements. Prevents the Mayor from serving as the Town Manager. Allows recall of the Mayor. Requires the Election Commission appointments to be done with other Boards and Commissions appointments.
Passed at election on Nov. 6, 2018
DEVELOPMENT
Town-Owned Property
Ordinance No. 2018-008
Permits the conveyance of Town-owned real property located outside Town limits and conveyance of off-street parking lots by Ordinance.
Effective May 17, 2018
DEVELOPMENT
Wireless Facilities
Ordinance No. 2018-23
Creates restrictions and regulations for wireless communication facilities.
Effective July 19, 2018
DEVELOPMENT
Group Homes
Ordinance No. 2018-24
Allows group homes of up to six residents. Must be 750 feet apart. Clarifies definitions, permitted uses and unallowed uses.
Effective Sept. 20, 2018
DEVELOPMENT
Wireless Facilities
Ordinance No. 2018-42
Provides for the administrative approval of wireless cellular communication facility leases on Town-owned property.
Effective Jan. 3, 2019
LIQUOR
Distance of Liquor Licenses from Schools
Ordinance No. 2018-036
Eliminates 500 foot distance restriction from liquor establishments to new schools built after October 31, 2018 and allows the Town Manager to approve fees for liquor licenses.
Effective Nov. 1, 2018
POLICE
Animal Code
Ordinance No. 2018-013
Removes breed-specific prohibition for dogs.   Addresses chickens, bees, wildlife and exotic animals.  Amends penalty and fee provisions.
Effective May 30, 2018
POLICE
e-Cigarettes
Ordinance No. 2018-025
Includes e-cigarettes and vaping devices in the Town’s definition of tobacco.
Effective Sept. 20, 2018
POLICE
Panhandling
Ordinance No. 2018-041
Prohibits aggressive panhandling that is intimidating, threatening, coercive, or obscene in actions, words or that makes physical contact with a person that causes them to fear for their safety. Panhandlers must not block, obstruct or interfere with safe and free passage in a public place used by pedestrians.
Effective Jan. 3, 2019
TRANSPORTATION
Downtown Parking
Ordinance No. 2018-015
Provides adequate parking for newly constructed development in the Downtown Overlay District. Nonresidential developments in North Downtown requirement after 2,000 square feet is one parking space per 500 square feet of new construction. Multifamily developments in Downtown must supply one on-site parking space per unit. Parking reductions may be granted by the Development Services Director.
Effective June 14, 2018
WATER
Drought Management Plan
Ordinance No. 2018-011
Creates a Drought Management Plan and the ability to declare a water emergency.
Effective May 30, 2018
WATER
Annexations
Ordinance No. 2018-017
Requires proposed annexations satisfy renewable water resource requirements projected for full development of the annexed property.
Effective June 14, 2018

More information

View copies of all the ordinances adopted in 2018.