DATE: September 8, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Garry Bredefeld, Supervisor, District 2
Nathan Magsig, Supervisor, District 5
Lisa A. Smittcamp, District Attorney
John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
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 September 22, 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 and employees. The proposed changes to the Ordinance Code shall become effective thirty days after passage at the 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 August 20, 2026, a prosecutor employee of the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office was stabbed with a knife in Courthouse Park. This incident demonstrates the need to allow prosecutors and special investigators in the District Attorney’s Office to defend themselves. The proposed amendments would revise the firearm-related exception in Section 13.24.010.A.2 to expressly allow the District Attorney, with a concealed carry weapon (CCW) license, to possess a firearm and/or pepper spray or a taser on County property, and delegate to the District Attorney the authority to allow District Attorney’s Office prosecutors and special investigators with a CCW license to possess a firearm on County property and/or carry pepper spray or a taser.
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 Fresno County District Attorney with a CCW license to the firearm-related exception in Section 13.24.010.A.2;
• Add District Attorney’s Office prosecutors and special investigators with a CCW license who have been explicitly authorized in writing by the District Attorney to the firearm-related exception in Section 13.24.010.A.2;
• Authorize District Attorney’s Office employees to carry pepper spray and/or tasers on County property and/or during County duties when expressly authorized in writing by the District Attorney;
• 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.
With your Board’s approval, a second hearing will be set for September 22, 2026 and the recommended changes to the Ordinance Code will become effective thirty days after passage at the second hearing.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #19, July 14, 2026
BAI #5, June 30, 2026
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Ordinance
Ordinance (Redline)
On file with Clerk - Summary of Ordinance
CAO ANALYST:
Sevag Tateosian