Model City Charter—9th Edition

The Ninth Edition (2021) of the Model City Charter continues the National Civic League’s tradition of recommending the council-manager form of government, while also including a new emphasis on civic engagement and equity.

For a limited time, you can access the 9th edition free of charge. You can navigate the online version using the below table of contents, or by downloading the complete PDF. 

Table of Contents

• Letter from the Co-Chairs
• Introduction
• Preamble
• Article I:  Powers of the City
• Article II: City Council
• Article III: City Manager
• Article IV: Departments, Office, Agencies
• Article V: Financial Management
• Article VI: Elections
• Article VII: Role of Public Engagement
• Article VIII: General Provisions
• Article IX: Charter Amendment
• Article X: Transition and Severability
• Appendix 1: Options for Mayor-Council Cities
• Appendix 2: Context for Social Equity and Local Governance
• Charter Revision Steering Committee and Working Groups