DATE: June 30, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Garry Bredefeld, Supervisor, District 2
Douglas Sloan, County Counsel
SUBJECT: Amendment to Ordinance Code Section 13.24.010 Regarding Conduct Regulations on County Property
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Conduct first hearing on an Ordinance amending Section 13.24.010 of Chapter 13.24 of Title 13 - Roads, Parks, Other Public Places, relating to conduct regulations on County property; waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety; and set the second hearing for July 14, 2026;
2. Designate County Counsel to prepare a fair and adequate summary of the proposed Ordinance; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to post and publish the required summary in accordance with Government Code section 25124(b)(1).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The proposed amendments to Section 13.24.010 of Chapter 13.24 of Title 13 - Roads, Parks, Other Public Places, would revise conduct regulations related to the possession of firearms and other personal defense items on County property and during County duties. The recommended amendments also update written authorization requirements for specified County officials, employees, and employees of County contractors. The proposed changes to the Ordinance Code shall become effective thirty days after passage of second hearing. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended actions, which would result in the existing ordinance language remaining unchanged and the proposed amendments to Section 13.24.010 related to firearms, pepper spray, tasers, and related written authorization requirements not being adopted.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions.
DISCUSSION:
On November 3, 2020, the Board adopted amendments to Section 13.24.010 of Chapter 13.24 of the County Ordinance Code, relating to conduct regulations on County-owned or County-maintained grounds and buildings. Those amendments revised the firearm-related exception in Section 13.24.010.A.2 to allow sitting Members of the Board of Supervisors and their Assistants with a concealed carry weapon (CCW) license, and employees explicitly authorized by the Agricultural Commissioner to carry firearms in the performance of their official duties, to possess firearms under the limited circumstances set forth in the ordinance.
State and local laws regulate who may bring weapons and other personal defense items onto County property. The proposed amendments to Section 13.24.010 of Chapter 13.24 would further revise the County’s conduct regulations to expand the limited firearm-related exception and add written authorization requirements for pepper spray and/or tasers on County property and during County duties.
The proposed amendments would:
• Add the County Administrative Officer and County Counsel with a CCW license to the firearm-related exception in Section 13.24.010.A.2;
• Add other County employees with a CCW license who have been explicitly authorized in writing by the County Administrative Officer to the firearm-related exception in Section 13.24.010.A.2;
• Clarify that Agricultural Commissioner employees must be explicitly authorized in writing by the Agricultural Commissioner to carry firearms in the performance of their official duties;
• Authorize County officials, County employees, and employees of County contractors to carry pepper spray and/or tasers on County property and/or during County duties when expressly authorized in writing by the County Administrative Officer;
• Allow specified training to be required as a condition of approval for carrying pepper spray and/or tasers; and
• Provide that individuals authorized to carry firearms pursuant to Section 13.24.010.A.2 are also authorized to carry pepper spray and/or tasers on County property and during County duties.
The proposed amendments do not create a general authorization for County officials, County employees, or contractor employees to carry firearms, pepper spray, or tasers on County property. Authorization would remain limited to the individuals and circumstances expressly identified in the ordinance, including any applicable CCW license, written authorization, and training requirements.
If the recommended actions are approved by your Board, the second hearing will be set for July 14, 2026. If your Board adopts the recommended amendment, the recommended changes to the Ordinance Code will become effective thirty days after passage.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #30, November 3, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Ordinance
Ordinance - Redline
On file with Clerk - Summary of Ordinance
CAO ANALYST:
Mary Lu Valencia