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ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 9.18, OF THE STOCKTON MUNICIPAL CODE REGULATING USE OF FACIAL COVERINGS
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt an ordinance establishing Title 9, Chapter 9.18 of the Stockton Municipal Code regulating the use of facial coverings.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take all appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the ordinance adopted by Council.
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Summary
Following direction from City Council on November 18, 2025, the Legislation/Environmental Committee discussed potential ordinances to establish Title 9, Chapter 9.18 of the Stockton Municipal Code regulating the use of facial coverings. The Committee approved Motion 2026-01-26-0305 forwarding to the full City Council the June 16, 2025, version of the ordinance (reflected in Attachment A) for review and consideration. In accordance with Committee direction, the proposed ordinance has been agendized for review and potential adoption by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
Background
On June 16, 2025, the Legislation/Environmental Committee reviewed and considered a proposed ordinance regulating the use of facial coverings in public or private spaces (Attachment A). By motion 2025-06-16-1303, the Committee forwarded a recommendation to the full City Council to adopt the ordinance, following review and collaboration with the Police Department.
Following review, the Police Department expressed concerns regarding the enforcement of the ordinance. Accordingly, Chair Enriquez and Vice Mayor Lee directed staff to bring the item back to the Committee for review of the Philadelphia face covering regulations and consideration of potential changes to the proposed ordinance. On October 20, 2025, the Committee reviewed and considered potential changes to the proposed ordinance, including introducing a monetary fine and limiting the prohibition to specific locations (Attachment B). By Motion 2025-10-20-0301 the Committee voted to forward both versions of the ordinance to the full City Council for review and consideration.
The City Council reviewed and discussed both the proposed ordinances on November 18, 2025. By motion 2025-11-18-1601, the City Council referred the proposed ordinances back to the Legislation/Environmental Committee for review.
On January 26, 2026, the Committee discussed the ordinances and approved Motion 2026-01-26-0305 forwarding to the full City Council the June 16, 2025, version of the ordinance (reflected in Attachment A) for review and consideration. Minor clerical changes to the June 16, 2025, ordinance were included in the final “clean” version presented to the City Council. These changes include:
• Update to the title to reflect the content of the ordinance;
• Removal of the reference to “increased” criminal activity to reflect statistical information as presented at prior meetings (Attachment C); and
• Internal reference to Stockton Municipal Code Chapter 1.08 of the violations section.
Present Situation
In accordance with the Committee direction, the June 16, 2025, proposed ordinance has been agendized for review and potential adoption by the City Council.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The adoption of this ordinance will have no financial impact.
Attachment A - June 16, 2025, Around the Bench Memo
Attachment B - October 20, 2025, Redline Ordinance
Attachment C - October 20, 2025, PowerPoint Presentation