* Historical Note:
Sections 3-6**: Repealed Election 10/12/71 effective 12/6/71.
** These section numbers refer to a numbering system that was in place prior to the Election of 11/8/94.
If any section or part of a section of this Charter proves to be invalid or unconstitutional, it shall not be held to invalidate or impair the validity or constitutionality of any other section or part of a section, unless it clearly appears that such other section or part of a section is dependent for its operation upon the section or part of a section so held invalid or unconstitutional.
(Amended Election 10/12/71 effective 12/6/71)
All ordinances, resolutions and regulations in force at the time this Charter takes effect, and not inconsistent therewith, are hereby continued in force until amended, repealed or rescinded.
(Amended Election 10/12/71 effective 12/6/71)
Following the 1994 general election, the City Clerk shall renumber all Charter articles sequentially.
(Added Election 11/8/94 effective 5/22/95)
Unless the provisions of the context otherwise require, as used in this Charter:
(a) 
"Shall" is mandatory and "may" is permissive;
(b) 
"City" is the City of Stockton and "department," "board," "commission," "agency," "officer," or "employee" is a department, board, commission, agency, officer or employee, as the case may be, of the City of Stockton;
(c) 
"Council" is the Council of the City of Stockton;
(d) 
A "Councilmember" means any one of the members of the Council, excluding the Mayor;
(e) 
"County" is the County of San Joaquin;
(f) 
"State" is the State of California;
(g) 
"Newspaper of general circulation within the City" is defined by Section 6000 of the Government Code of the State of California;
(h) 
The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter;
(i) 
"Council Appointees" are the City Manager, the City Attorney, the City Clerk, and the City Auditor;
(j) 
"Unclassified Service" are employees not subject to Civil Service;
(k) 
The terms "electors," "qualified electors" and "voters" are voters duly registered and qualified to vote in the next municipal election of the City of Stockton.
(Section 2703 Added Election 03/07/2000 effective 01/01/2001)