The Huntington Beach City Council is the city’s legislative body: seven members, all elected citywide to four-year terms, who set local policy, pass ordinances, adopt the budget, and appoint the City Manager who runs day-to-day operations. It meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2000 Main Street, and any resident can show up and speak.
Who Sits on the Council
Section 300 of the city charter fixes the council at seven members.1Orange County Registrar of Voters. City of Huntington Beach Charter Amendment Measure 1 – Section: Section 300 Every seat is elected at-large, meaning each voter in the city votes on every seat rather than picking a representative from a neighborhood district. Terms are staggered, so roughly half the seats are on the ballot each cycle and the council never turns over all at once.
A 2024 lawsuit alleged that the at-large format dilutes Latino voting power under the California Voting Rights Act. The city still uses at-large elections for now, but the challenge could eventually push Huntington Beach toward district-based seats.
Council members are subject to term limits. The separately elected City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Treasurer are not.2City of Huntington Beach. Elected Officials
How the Mayor Is Chosen
There is no separate election for mayor in Huntington Beach. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are selected from among sitting council members based on seniority and the number of votes each member received in their most recent election.2City of Huntington Beach. Elected Officials Both roles are largely ceremonial. The mayor runs meetings, represents the city at public events, and signs official documents, but has no veto and no unilateral authority. The Mayor Pro Tem fills in when the mayor is absent.
What the Council Does
The charter puts all legislative power in the council. In practice, that means adopting the annual municipal budget, passing ordinances on everything from zoning to short-term rental rules, and approving major contracts. Four members are a quorum, the minimum needed to conduct business, though a smaller number can vote to adjourn.3Orange County Registrar of Voters. City of Huntington Beach Charter Amendment Measure 1 – Section: Section 304
The council does not run the city directly. It appoints a City Manager who functions as the chief executive, carrying out council direction and overseeing operations for a city of roughly 200,000 people. All council meetings fall under the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s open-meeting law, which protects the public’s right to attend and participate.4California Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General. The Brown Act – Open Meetings for Local Legislative Bodies
When and Where the Council Meets
Regular meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month in the council chambers at 2000 Main Street in the Civic Center. A closed session typically begins around 4:00 p.m. for matters the Brown Act allows to be discussed privately, such as pending litigation and personnel. The open public meeting follows at 6:00 p.m.5City of Huntington Beach. Council Live and Archived Videos Study sessions, when scheduled, sometimes precede the regular meeting and sometimes fold into it. The schedule shifts occasionally, so check the posted agenda before you go.
Agendas for regular meetings must be posted at least 72 hours in advance under the Brown Act, and only posted items can be acted on. That rule is why genuine surprises are rare at regular sessions.4California Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General. The Brown Act – Open Meetings for Local Legislative Bodies
If you can’t attend, you can watch live or pull up archived video through the city’s Granicus portal. Full audio and video are downloadable, and meetings are rebroadcast starting the day after each session.5City of Huntington Beach. Council Live and Archived Videos
How to Speak at a Meeting
To address the council in person, fill out a speaker card near the entrance of the chambers. The standard limit is three minutes per speaker. You can comment on a specific agenda item or raise a general concern during the open public comment period.
For major actions such as zoning amendments or development approvals, the council holds formal public hearings and is legally required to take testimony before voting. Showing up to one of those carries real weight: the testimony becomes part of the record the decision rests on and can matter if the action is later challenged in court.
Written comments can go to the City Clerk’s office for the public record. You can also email individual council members through their official city addresses or request a meeting through the city website.
The Other Officials on Your Ballot
Along with the seven council members, Huntington Beach voters separately elect a City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Treasurer. All three serve four-year terms and are not term-limited.2City of Huntington Beach. Elected Officials Because the City Attorney is independently elected rather than appointed by the council, the office has a degree of independence that appointed city attorneys elsewhere lack. Huntington Beach is one of very few Orange County cities with an elected city attorney.
The City Clerk manages official records, administers elections, and posts meeting agendas. The City Treasurer oversees the investment of city funds.
Running for a Council Seat
A candidate must be a resident of Huntington Beach and a registered voter in the city when nomination papers are issued and again when taking office.6City of Huntington Beach, CA. Huntington Beach Municipal Code – Chapter 2.04 Eligibility of Candidates – Section: 2.04.030 Residence and Registered Voter Requirements for Elective Officers Because voter registration requires it, the effective minimum age is 18. Council elections run in even-numbered years alongside the November general election, which draws higher turnout than standalone municipal races. Winners take office once results are certified.
The city has its own campaign finance ordinance. Under Municipal Code Chapter 2.07, no individual may give a council candidate more than the state cap for California legislative candidates.7City of Huntington Beach, CA. Huntington Beach Municipal Code – Chapter 2.07 Campaign Reform – Section: 2.07.050 Campaign Contribution Limitations For the 2025–2026 cycle, that limit is $5,900 per person per election.8California Fair Political Practices Commission. Contribution Limits – City and County Candidates Because the local cap tracks the state figure, it adjusts automatically when the state updates its thresholds.
What Council Members Are Paid
The seat is not a full-time job and the pay reflects that. Per California State Controller data, council members earned roughly $20,700 to $22,600 in total wages in 2023, the most recent year with published figures.9California State Controller’s Office. Huntington Beach 2023 – Government Compensation in California
Each council member also receives a monthly expense allowance of $1,310.91, and the mayor receives $1,838.44 per month. The allowances do not require itemized accounting and adjust annually based on the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index. Authorized travel and other official expenses are reimbursed separately through the city’s business expense policy on submission of itemized receipts.10Ecode360. Huntington Beach Municipal Code – Chapter 2.28 City Council