* 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Sections 3-6**: Repealed Election 10/12/71 effective 12/6/71.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)
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)