Get Involved with the City!

City of San Diego 101

What does the City do?

The City of San Diego as the local government takes care of everyday services to support the daily lives of community members. The City maintains public spaces like streets, parks and libraries and oversees essential services, like fire-rescue and police. The City also develops initiatives in the form of citywide or community-level initiatives that work to enhance San Diego and make it a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone.

What does the City work on?

City departments bring forward items for the City Council’s consideration that address a specific issue, achieve particular goals or implement policies. These involve allocated resources such as funding and personnel, are politically supported and include participation from members of the public so that the City can make decisions informed by community members’ perspectives.  

The types of initiatives that you can provide input on are generally described in the following table:

What is your role in the City and why does it matter?

Role of the Public

San Diegans have a direct say in shaping the city they live in! When you vote for the Mayor and City Council or City ballot measures, you help shape everything from how libraries and recreation centers will serve your community, to new infrastructure projects, to how the City will tackle climate change. But voting isn’t the only way to have a say—there are many other ways to share thoughts on how to make San Diego the best place to live, play and work. Want more parks? Better streets? A say in local job creation? Your input helps make it happen!

City Decision-makers

The City of San Diego's government is made up of elected leaders, including a mayor and City Council. The City operates under a strong mayor system in which the Mayor serves as chief executive for the City. Under this form of government, the Mayor oversees all City departments and operations, except independent offices¹ such as the City Attorney’s Office. The Mayor serves a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.

The City Council serves as the City’s legislative body, enacting laws, approving budgets and setting policies. The City Council consists of nine elected Councilmembers representing each of the nine City Council districts. Councilmembers also serve a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.

The Mayor and City Council work together to make decisions for the City. They listen to residents' concerns and use their understanding of San Diego’s unique needs to set policies and priorities that help the City thrive.

1. Independent offices include Independent Budget Analyst, Ethics Commission, City Auditor, City Clerk, City Attorney, Personnel Director.  

Why should you participate?

You know the benefits. Now how can you get involved?

The City offers a variety of easily accessible opportunities for the public to engage in important community matters. Sharing your opinions helps decision-makers understand how their decisions will affect your community. Sharing input is completely free and requires only a small investment of time, yet can prove to be time well-spent.

Avenues to help shape the future of the City include:

• Public hearings: These are formal meetings of the City Council, Council Committees, Planning Commission or other advisory bodies where City staff presents information and the public can express their opinions about a proposed project before a decision is made. Community members can find public hearings by searching the City’s Legislative Calendar and checking the City Bulletin of Public Notices. See “Share your thoughts at public hearings” below to learn more.

• City staff: City staff can be an initial point of contact when you have questions or want to get in touch. These can include your assigned Community Planner, Council District Representative or a Project Manager/Engineer assigned to a capital improvement project.

  Here’s how to reach City staff effectively:

  • Send an email: Keep it short and to the point whenever possible. Clearly state your question or comment.
  • Pick up the phone: A quick call can help clarify details. Calling the Office of the City Clerk can help direct you to the right place if you don't know where to start. Leave a clear voicemail including contact information for how to reach you if they do not answer.
  • Attend public meetings and hearings: Attend and provide input during public comment. Submit written comments ahead of time so staff and the decision-maker can review and consider them.
• Planning groups: Join a planning group to make more formal recommendations to City decision-makers about certain development projects in your community and other long-range planning and zoning actions.
• Public engagement events: The City often shares information and collects input at in-person community events like workshops, public meetings and pop-up events. There may also be opportunities to participate or attend remotely.
• City webpages: Access a department’s webpage to see their services, contact information, latest news about projects and how to get involved.
• Volunteer: Are you interested in volunteer opportunities or participating on a working group, board or commission? Let the City know that you are interested by filling out an online form. Boards and commissions are made up of community volunteers that are responsible for advising the Mayor, City Council and City departments on various topics such as youth issues, transportation, climate action and promoting arts and culture.
• Newsletters: Stay connected with the City! Sign up for regular newsletters from the Mayor, Councilmembers and City departments.

Share your thoughts at public hearings

Public hearings are your chance to speak up on important topics like parks, housing and public projects. The City Council generally meets twice a week—usually on Mondays and Tuesdays—to make decisions on projects that shape San Diego’s communities.

During public comment periods, you can share your thoughts directly with City decision-makers. Whether you're supporting a project, voicing concerns or just staying informed, your participation matters. Learn more about how to join and participate in City Council hearings.

Remember that at public hearings:

• You get a chance to speak when it is public comment time.
• You can share your support or opposition for an item on the agenda or share general thoughts during non-agenda public comment.

If you have a specific interest or concern, the Council also has committees with different responsibility areas, such as Land Use and Housing, Active Transportation and Infrastructure, or Community and Neighborhood Services. Each committee meets once or twice a month, so check the legislative calendar for a schedule of their meetings if you would like to attend.

The final takeaway

There are plenty of ways to get involved and stay involved with the City — from sending an email to your elected officials about a matter that you care about to participating in a local board or commission throughout the year, the City benefits from hearing your thoughts.

Keep up with hearing agendas, City newsletters and official webpages to help you know when important topics are being discussed so that you can participate effectively.

However, no matter how you participate, keep an open mind; there may be others who want to share different perspectives or concerns that you might disagree with. Also, remember to keep comments respectful. Comments are most effective when they are focused on the issue at hand.

Your active participation means you help decide what happens in San Diego. Share your input with the City and make a real difference!