Article 13: Charter Cities

The Legislature shall provide by general law for the incorporation of cities and towns. The Legislature may also provide by law for the adoption of a charter by any municipality, thereby making it a Charter City. A Charter City shall have the power to govern itself in municipal affairs, subject only to the limitations of this Constitution and the general laws of the State.

A municipality may propose to adopt a charter. A charter shall be proposed by a Charter Commission, whose members are elected by the qualified voters of the municipality. The proposed charter must then be approved by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the municipality in a special or general election.

A Charter City shall have all powers of municipal government and shall have the right to organize its own government and to enact and enforce local ordinances. The powers of a Charter City shall be liberally construed in favor of its autonomy in municipal affairs. A Charter City shall not have the power to enact any ordinance that is in conflict with the laws or Constitution of the State of San Andreas.

A Charter City is distinguished from a general law municipality by its possession of the power of home rule concerning matters of local concern. A general law municipality's authority is strictly limited to powers expressly granted by the State Legislature or this Constitution, whereas a Charter City may organize its own government and legislate on local affairs as it deems appropriate, provided such actions do not conflict with the Constitution of this State or with general laws of statewide concern. This provision grants Charter Cities a superior degree of autonomy in matters of local governance, including municipal finance, elections, and the regulation of local public works.