Share Reviewing the City of Fort Lauderdale Charter on FacebookShare Reviewing the City of Fort Lauderdale Charter on TwitterShare Reviewing the City of Fort Lauderdale Charter on LinkedinEmail Reviewing the City of Fort Lauderdale Charter link
Your City. Your Charter. Your Vote.
The City of Fort Lauderdale is considering amendments to its charter. The charter is like our city’s constitution and guides how the city is governed. It explains how decisions are made, who’s responsible for what, and how services like parks, roads, and public safety are provided. It outlines the roles of the mayor, city commissioners, and city manager, ensuring everyone works together to serve the community. It’s designed to keep everything running smoothly and fairly for residents like you.
Any changes to the charter must be approved by residents through a public vote. Your vote decides how our government works.
The proposed Charter amendments below are part of an effort to modernize, clarify and clean up sections of the City Charter. On April 7, 2026, the City Commission reviewed 25 proposed Charter amendments and provided direction to move forward with 11 items for the 2026 ballot. The remaining items will continue through public input and feedback.
City Commission reviewed 25 Charter amendments on April 7, 2026.
Direction was given to focus on cleanup items.
18 items are approved for the 2026 ballot.
7 remaining items are being shared for public input and possible future consideration.
Public outreach includes the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations and Strategic Communications.
2026 Proposed Ballot Items
Section
Topic
Summary
Section 3.03
Qualifications of members; forfeiture of office
Reorganizes candidate qualifications, requires candidates to be City electors, accounts for redistricting, defines permanent residency and changes the residency requirement from six months to 12 months.
Section 3.04
Judge of elections and qualifications of members
Adds Clerk for ministerial review of candidate documentation; eliminates city commission as canvasser and the ability of electors to challenge candidates during canvassing.
Section 3.05
Designation of vice mayor
Changes when the vice mayor is designated to the first meeting after all commissioners elected in a municipal election assume office, then annually after that.
Section 3.09
Organizational meeting
Updates the timing for the organizational meeting and oath of office to occur after election results are certified by the Broward County Canvassing Board.
Section 3.10
Special meeting to seat a new member
Deletes this section because it is addressed in Section 3.09.
Section 3.12
Special meetings
Requires 72 hours’ notice for special meetings, with an exception for emergency meetings when notice must be provided as practicable.
Section 4.06
Interim or acting city manager
Separates an interim city manager during resignation/termination from an acting city manager during a temporary absence.
Section 4.08
Removal or discharge
Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.02
Classified and nonclassified service
Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.04
Civil Service Board
Updates the Civil Service Board appointment/election process and removes the board’s role in reviewing job class specifications.
Section 7.16
Election tie vote
Deletes outdated language referencing a primary election.
Section 10.03
Public hearings and public notice
Repeals the requirement for two publications for public hearings.
Section 8.01
Sale of personal property
Simplifies the sale of personal property (e.g. vehicles, furniture, and equipment, etc.)
Section 8.02
Sale or lease of City property public bodies
Simplifies the sale or lease of property to public bodies for a public purpose upon the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.04
Sale of real property to private parties
Requires a resolution containing a finding that such sale, exchange, or conveyance would be in the City's best interest adopted by the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.07
Leases with governmental entities
Subsumed by proposed Section 8.02
Section 8.09
Leases, licenses, concessions and use agreements over one year
Provides a tiered system for leases, etc., for more than one year
Section 8.21
Disposing of public park property
Requires a referendum for the sale of City-owned park land and requires affirmative vote of at least four Commissioners
Items for Public Input / Future Consideration
Section 3.08: Commissioner absences and forfeiture of office.
Section 3.15: Initiative and referendum process.
Sections 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19 and 3.20: Related initiative/referendum sections proposed to be subsumed into Section 3.15.
Your City. Your Charter. Your Vote.
The City of Fort Lauderdale is considering amendments to its charter. The charter is like our city’s constitution and guides how the city is governed. It explains how decisions are made, who’s responsible for what, and how services like parks, roads, and public safety are provided. It outlines the roles of the mayor, city commissioners, and city manager, ensuring everyone works together to serve the community. It’s designed to keep everything running smoothly and fairly for residents like you.
Any changes to the charter must be approved by residents through a public vote. Your vote decides how our government works.
The proposed Charter amendments below are part of an effort to modernize, clarify and clean up sections of the City Charter. On April 7, 2026, the City Commission reviewed 25 proposed Charter amendments and provided direction to move forward with 11 items for the 2026 ballot. The remaining items will continue through public input and feedback.
City Commission reviewed 25 Charter amendments on April 7, 2026.
Direction was given to focus on cleanup items.
18 items are approved for the 2026 ballot.
7 remaining items are being shared for public input and possible future consideration.
Public outreach includes the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations and Strategic Communications.
2026 Proposed Ballot Items
Section
Topic
Summary
Section 3.03
Qualifications of members; forfeiture of office
Reorganizes candidate qualifications, requires candidates to be City electors, accounts for redistricting, defines permanent residency and changes the residency requirement from six months to 12 months.
Section 3.04
Judge of elections and qualifications of members
Adds Clerk for ministerial review of candidate documentation; eliminates city commission as canvasser and the ability of electors to challenge candidates during canvassing.
Section 3.05
Designation of vice mayor
Changes when the vice mayor is designated to the first meeting after all commissioners elected in a municipal election assume office, then annually after that.
Section 3.09
Organizational meeting
Updates the timing for the organizational meeting and oath of office to occur after election results are certified by the Broward County Canvassing Board.
Section 3.10
Special meeting to seat a new member
Deletes this section because it is addressed in Section 3.09.
Section 3.12
Special meetings
Requires 72 hours’ notice for special meetings, with an exception for emergency meetings when notice must be provided as practicable.
Section 4.06
Interim or acting city manager
Separates an interim city manager during resignation/termination from an acting city manager during a temporary absence.
Section 4.08
Removal or discharge
Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.02
Classified and nonclassified service
Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.04
Civil Service Board
Updates the Civil Service Board appointment/election process and removes the board’s role in reviewing job class specifications.
Section 7.16
Election tie vote
Deletes outdated language referencing a primary election.
Section 10.03
Public hearings and public notice
Repeals the requirement for two publications for public hearings.
Section 8.01
Sale of personal property
Simplifies the sale of personal property (e.g. vehicles, furniture, and equipment, etc.)
Section 8.02
Sale or lease of City property public bodies
Simplifies the sale or lease of property to public bodies for a public purpose upon the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.04
Sale of real property to private parties
Requires a resolution containing a finding that such sale, exchange, or conveyance would be in the City's best interest adopted by the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.07
Leases with governmental entities
Subsumed by proposed Section 8.02
Section 8.09
Leases, licenses, concessions and use agreements over one year
Provides a tiered system for leases, etc., for more than one year
Section 8.21
Disposing of public park property
Requires a referendum for the sale of City-owned park land and requires affirmative vote of at least four Commissioners
Items for Public Input / Future Consideration
Section 3.08: Commissioner absences and forfeiture of office.
Section 3.15: Initiative and referendum process.
Sections 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19 and 3.20: Related initiative/referendum sections proposed to be subsumed into Section 3.15.
