Frequently Asked Questions

According to the Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19 novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person and can present with very mild cold-like symptoms to more serious respiratory symptoms.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the links below.

https://www.cdc.gov/COVID19

http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/New-Release-2020.aspx

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/

You can also call the County of Orange Health Care Agency Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.

You may print a Home Improvement Application (PDF) or pick one up from the City of Fountain Valley Housing and Community Development Division located in City Hall at 10200 Slater Avenue. Business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Completed applications may be dropped off at City Hall or mailed to City of Fountain Valley Attn:  Home Improvement Program, 10200 Slater Ave., Fountain Valley, CA 92708.  All applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Additional information regarding the City’s Home Improvement Program may be found on the Housing Rehabilitation Program page.

The City of Fountain Valley Home Improvement Program is open to City of Fountain Valley homeowners meeting the following criteria:

• Home must be owner occupied as the primary residence
• Home must be located in Fountain valley
• Home must be in NEED of repairs (no remodel or upgrades allowed)
• Applicant(s) liquid assets must not exceed $50,000 or $100,000 (based on age and income)
• Applicant(s) must not have had a bankruptcy discharged within 24 months
• Household must meet low-income limits established by HUD
• Homeowner must not own other rental property or real estate holdings.

Additional information regarding the City’s Home Improvement Programs and related eligibility requirements may be found on the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program page.

The City of Fountain Valley Home Improvement Program require that the applicant(s) and all household members submit the following documents:

• Income verification such as employment pay stubs, year-to-date profit and loss statement, Social Security Award Letter, Retirement Benefit Statement, Cash Aid Award Letters, and Federal and State Income Tax Returns.
• Asset Verification such as checking and savings account statements, current Brokerage account statements, IRA statements, and Certificate of Deposits.
• Property ownership verification such as copies of the Grant Deed, Mortgage Statement, HOA Dues, HELOC, or other financing, Mobile Home Registration and/or Certificate of Title, and verification of mobile home space rent.
• Current Homeowner’s Insurance Policy (if in a floodplain, must also have flood insurance).
• Current Utility Bills and Property Tax Bill.

For additional questions regarding the Home Improvement Program application process, please feel free to call the Housing Technician at (714) 593-4510.

Eligible improvements may include; termite treatment and damaged wood repair, roof repair or replacement, repair of plastering, stucco, or siding, interior and exterior painting, repair to heating and electrical systems, weatherization, plumbing, driveways and walkways, accessibility modifications, and room additions in over-crowded situations. Complete list of eligible improvements (PDF)

All previous renovations, not properly permitted, must be brought into compliance prior to participation in the program. All health and safety related problems and code violations (e.g. faulty wiring, unsanitary plumbing, and unpermitted structures) must be corrected before general improvements can be made. Once all health and safety related issues have been corrected, general home improvement items will be considered.

Applicants must receive approval from city staff prior to the commencement of any work. Any work completed prior to the receipt of approval from city staff will not receive funding.

All improvements must be completed by an approved contractor with a California State Contractor’s License in good standing. All contractors must also carry current general liability and worker’s compensation insurance policies, and must obtain a City of Fountain Valley Business License.

The first step needed to take is to check with the Planning Department to see if your business use is compatible with the zoning for the location you desire. The business may be a permitted use, need a Conditional Use Permit, or may not be an allowable use for the particular zone.

A Conditional Use Permit allows a specific use in a zone that may have adverse impacts on surrounding uses. A business owner may be allowed to open a business in a certain zone as long as the landowner or business owner meets certain conditions determined by the Planning Commission. Applications for Conditional Use Permit can be obtained at City Hall or by downloading the

The first step needed to take is to check with the Planning Department to see if the shopping center or building that you want to place signage on has a designated Sign Program. If the shopping center or building has a Sign Program, the sign must meet the requirements of the program to be approved.

If the shopping center or building does not have a Sign Program, the sign must be approved by the Sign Committee. The Sign Committee consists of two members of the Planning Commission and the Community Development Director.  The Sign Committee meets the second and fourth Wednesday of every month as needed.

Yes. Customers can use the Water Customer Portal to view their water consumption data and sign up to receive email alerts. The portal is updated nightly so customers can view up-to-date data regarding their hourly, daily, weekly and monthly water usage and use the information to identify potential problems, manage their water use and aid in water conservation efforts. Simply click the blue water usage button on the home page or the following link to learn more about the Water Customer Portal.

Fountain Valley has permanent water conservation requirements in place to promote the efficient use of water and reduce or eliminate water waste in the City. These requirements are in effect at all times and additional requirements may be implemented in response to water shortages.

The State's ban on the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, industrial and institutional sites remains in effect. Watering of trees and other perennial non-turf plants is allowed.

 All water customers are required to comply with the water conservation requirements. For more information, visit Water Restrictions.

The City has had permanent water conservation requirements in place since 2009 to promote the efficient use of water and reduce or eliminate waste of water in the City. These requirements are in effect at all times and additional requirements may be implemented in response to water shortages.

Outdoor watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container, or a hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Sprinklers may be turned on for very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. (Permanent)

Outdoor watering is limited to no more than 15 minutes per station per day. (Permanent)

Outdoor watering that causes more than incidental water runoff is prohibited. (Permanent)

Watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall is prohibited. (Permanent)

Commercial, industrial and institutional sites are prohibited from using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf. (State Water Resources Control Board Emergency Regulation - Resolution 2022-0018)

As part of the City's efforts to help customers manage their water usage and save money, the City offers all residents and businesses the ability to monitor their water consumption through the City's Water Usage Customer Portal. Customers can use the portal to view their water consumption data online and sign up to receive email alerts. Click here to learn more about the Water Usage Customer Portal.

Fountain Valley is continuing its efforts (in person, through letters, door hangers, etc.) to make customers aware of violations that occur. This will typically be a step-up process that focuses on education and assistance to help the customer remedy the issue. Customers who violate these regulations will be issued a warning for the first violation and will be subject to fines of up to $1,000 for continued violations. 

The water restrictions do not apply to the use of recycled water for irrigation purposes. The Fountain Valley Sports Park, Mile Square Park, David L. Baker Golf Course, Mile Square Golf Course, Green Valley Park, Hyundai Motor America and areas along the Santa Ana River Trail utilize recycled water for irrigation purposes and are not subject to the watering restrictions. 

Non-functional turf is turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events. Non-functional turf does not include sports fields and turf that is regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events, such as parks and school fields.

The prohibition against the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf only applies to commercial, industrial and institutional water users, including HOAs. It does not apply to individual residences.

"Commercial, industrial and institutional" refers to commercial water users, industrial water users, and institutional water users as respectively defined in Water Code, section 10608.12, subdivisions (e), (i), and (j), and includes homeowners' associations, common interest developments, community service organizations, and other similar entities but does not include the residences of these entities' members or separate interests.

California Water Code Definitions (Section 10608.12)

Commercial Water User - a water user that provides or distributes a product or service.

Industrial Water User - a water user that is primarily a manufacturer or processor of materials as defined by the North American Industry Classification System code sectors 31 to 33, inclusive, or an entity that is a water user primarily engaged in research and development.

Institutional Water User - a water user dedicated to public service. This type of user includes, among other users, higher education institutions, schools, courts, churches, hospitals, government facilities, and nonprofit research institutions.

Potable water is water that is suitable for drinking.

Fountain Valley is doing many things to reduce water use on public property, such as using recycled water to irrigate landscapes, reducing irrigation run times, and replacing turf and other ornamentals with drought tolerant landscapes. The City stopped watering ornamental turf on public street medians as mandated by the State several years ago and is exploring drought tolerant alternatives. Fountain Valley also continues its outreach to the public regarding water conservation and available incentives for customers to install water efficient devices.

In response to the State's ban on the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, industrial and institutional sites, the City has also stopped irrigating the areas of non-functional turf identified at City Hall, the Senior Center, Fire Station No. 2, the City Yard and Well #8.

Please note that the Fountain Valley Sports Park is irrigated with recycled water that is not subject to the City's permanent water restrictions.

Yes. Watering using a hand-held bucket or similar container, or a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Outdoor areas are usually broken up into smaller areas for irrigation purposes. One section is watered for a set amount of time and goes off. Then another section is watered and goes off until the entire area has been watered. Each section (usually controlled by its own sprinkler valve) is a "station."  Therefore, each station can be watered for up to 15 minutes per station per day.  

Outdoor watering is limited to a maximum of 15 minutes per station per day. For most irrigable areas and most irrigation systems, 15 minutes is too long and will result in more than incidental runoff which is prohibited. The time frame was put in place to not only accommodate residential users, but also larger commercial and recreational areas that may need longer to cycle through each station. The combination of 15 minutes per station and no more than incidental runoff should be self-limiting. If someone can water 15 minutes without creating runoff then they can do that. If runoff is created at 5 minutes, then that should be the end of the watering time for that station.

More than incidental water runoff is prohibited during outdoor watering. It carries pollutants to the ocean, wastes water and is a sign that too much water is being applied to the area. If you are experiencing runoff, reduce the amount of time that you are watering. If the area needs more water, try watering for a short amount of time before 9 a.m. and again after 6 p.m.. Just make sure that your total watering duration per station per day is not more than 15 minutes. You will probably find that you need less than 15 minutes per station per day. 

Overspray is different than runoff. Overspray is when sprinklers reach beyond the area being watered and spray hard surfaces, such as streets, sidewalks and driveways. This can be controlled by turning down sprinklers and/or adjusting the sprinkler heads to better direct the water. If you would like to replace your old sprinkler heads with more water efficient rotating sprinkler nozzles, rebates may be available at www.ocwatersmart.com.

There are a wide range of programs and incentives to help you reduce your daily water use. The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and the City of Fountain Valley offer rebates on water efficient devices, like smart sprinkler timers and rotating sprinkler nozzles; rebates for replacing turf with California Friendly landscapes; rebates on clothes washers and premium high efficiency toilets; free home water use surveys and water-wise gardening classes; and much more. For more information, visit our Water Efficiency Rebates & Programs webpage.

A public street median is the portion of the roadway separating opposing directions of traffic that is owned and maintained by a public entity, such as the City. 

The strip of grass between the sidewalk and the curb is called the parkway. It is within City right-of-way, but it belongs to the homeowner and is the maintenance responsibility of the homeowner. Parkways can be watered on the same schedule as the rest of the outdoor landscaping. If you would like to remove turf in this area and replace it with drought tolerant landscaping, you may do so by requesting an encroachment permit from our Public Works Department. Please know that turf removal rebates might be available through the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC). If you would like more information about turf removal and available rebates, visit our Turf Removal webpage.

No. Landscape irrigation systems that exclusively use very low-flow drip type irrigation systems when no emitter produces more than two gallons of water per hour and weather-based controllers or stream rotor sprinklers that meet a seventy percent efficiency standard are not limited to 15 minutes per station per day. 

They are subject to the same restrictions regarding duration (no more than 15 minutes per station per day).

Absolutely! In fact, we would encourage that. To make the best use of this water, it is suggested that you use it during the evening hours or early morning to minimize evaporation.

No. Gray water, while well-meaning for drought conditions, does present other concerns. If there is any runoff, it becomes a pollutant for downstream waters, including the ocean. Additionally, all gray water in the City of Fountain Valley that is sent to waste through inside drains eventually ends up at the Orange County Sanitation District. There it is recycled and converted along with black waste water into potable quality water that is replenished back into the groundwater basin for pumping and potable use.

The Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park, Mile Square Park and the golf courses use recycled water for outdoor irrigation. Recycled water is not potable and is not subject to the water restrictions. Therefore, the watering schedule at the Sports Park will be set to maintain the fields in proper condition for the community's enjoyment.

You can report water waste online or by calling 714-593-4600.

Under New California State Law AB341 your business may be required to start a recycling program by July 1, 2012, if you: a)Generate more than 4 cubic yards of trash per week. b)Are a multi-family residential property with 5 or more units. c)If your multi-family property has less than five units, but produces more than 4 cubic yards or trash per week. The standard size trash dumpster is 3 cubic yards. How to comply: a)Implement a recycling program with Rainbow Environmental Services and save money by calling them at (714) 847-3581. b)Continue with your current trash collection procedure and receive no cost savings from recycling. c)Donate, sell or self-haul to an authorized recycling facility. Scavenging does not qualify for compliance purposes. For complete information, go visit Rainbow Environmental Services at http://rainbowes.com/espartners.php.

You may submit a form, at the link below, to report a street light outage or issue.

If the problem has been corrected, bring the citation to the FVPD front desk (correction fee of $16 is required). Our front desk staff can look at the citation and advise you of the required next step.

No.  The Fountain Valley Crossings Specific Plan area is currently built out with businesses and storefronts that generate a sizable amount of traffic today.  The Fountain Valley Crossings Specific Plan does allow for a limited amount of resident and additional employment centers to be created in the future.  The additional traffic that will be generated by any changes in the Fountain Valley Crossings Specific Plan area will be minimal though compared with the traffic that already exists.  The table below demonstrates the existing traffic the surrounding roadways experience today and the additional traffic that will be added if the Fountain Valley Crossings Specific Plan area is ever reused to the maximum amount allowed.  For example, this chart shows that Euclid Avenue currently sees 33,000 vehicle trips per day.  If the Crossings area was built to the maximum allowed, it would only add 790 new vehicle trips per day. 

No.  The Fountain Valley Crossings Specific Plan allows for up to 490 residential units to be added to an area of approximately 60-acres.  As shown in the graph below, that equals about 8.3 residential units per acre.  The Huntington Beach residential developments that have been constructed average a density of about 59-residential units per acre.

How do I get a copy of a police report?

How do I get a traffic citation signed off?

How do I commend a police employee?

How do I file a complaint?

Our discovery with surrounding municipalities operating in this way has shown that a 4-day work week can boost morale, positively impact employee productivity, and offer employees a greater sense of work/life balance. Additionally, this change will expand the hours of operation at City Hall to 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. giving the general public more time to utilize City Hall services before and after typical business hours from Monday – Thursday, with little to no impact in serving our customers.

The 6-month pilot program will concludes February 28, 2025. The permanent 4/10 work schedule be implemented beginning March 3, 2025.

Most departments and services in City Hall will participate in the pilot program. Some services will continue to run on Fridays and/or weekends in accordance with operational needs. Department heads and supervisors are expected to communicate with employees regarding work scheduling. Public Works/Yard and some non-sworn Police staff are currently working a 4/10 schedule and will remain on this schedule.

Existing services such as Public Safety, Code Enforcement, and Recreation & Community Services programming will not be impacted and will continue as normal. 

It is the expectation that with the City's expanded operating hours from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. M-Th, the general public would enjoy a greater opportunity to access in-person services.

Our current workforce, as well as the new generation of workers, seeks a greater level of flexibility from employers. Having an extra day off each week is attractive to potential employees and could be of value to current employees who are seeking a greater work-life balance and/or one less day commuting. 

Sober living homes are a type of group home functioning as a facility, offering a comfortable living environment for persons with drug or alcohol addictions where they remain clean and sober and can participate in a recovery program in a residential, community environment, in the neighborhood of their choice.

Sober living facilities are a type of group home. 

The City is currently conducting public hearings for Group and Sober Living Homes that have submitted applications for a Special Use Permit. If you are a neighbor within 1000 feet of the applicant, you will receive a notice in the mail. Code Enforcement will begin investigating alleged group/sober living homes that have not applied on March 1, 2025.

As of September 2024, the City of Fountain Valley is one of the few cities in the state of California proactively addressing the evolving status of sober living facilities in our communities. 

Federal Fair Housing Act:

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development “The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities.” To learn more about this act, visit the department website by clicking the link here. 

Americans with Disabilities Act: 

The Americans with Disabilities Act helps regulate and implement standards to ensure appropriate access across various fields is maintained for people with a disability. To learn more about the act, visit the ADA.gov website.

Fair Employment Housing Act:

According to the Fair Employment Housing Act website, this California law, “provides protection from harassment or discrimination in employment because of: age (40 and over), ancestry, color, creed, denial of family and medical care leave, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, marital status, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.” To learn more about the act, visit the California government’s website by clicking the link here.

Lanterman Act: 

To learn more about the act, visit the California Department of Development Services website by clicking the link here.

On March 1, 2024, Fountain Valley City Council approved Ordinance No. 1607 to amend the Fountain Valley Municipal Code to establish regulations for group homes that require:

• The acquisition of use permits for operating facilities
• A six-resident maximum
• 650 ft of separation between sober living homes or state licensed alcoholism or drug abuse recovery/treatment facilities (measured from the closest property lines)

The ordinance also furthers the purposes of the FEHA, the FHAA, and the Lanterman Act by: 

• Confirming that group homes and sober living facilities are entitled to the accommodations requested 
• Limiting the secondary impacts caused by overcrowding of residential properties by reducing noise and traffic, preserving safety and wellness and providing adequate on street parking
• Providing accommodation for persons with disabilities that are reasonable and equitable to the opportunities given to non-handicapped individuals to use and enjoy a living unit in a single-family neighborhood (a residential area zoned for only one housing unit per parcel of land); and 
• Providing comfortable living environments that will enhance the opportunity for persons with disabilities and recovering addicts to be successful in their programs.

The ordinance went into effect on March 1, 2024. Upon adoption, the ordinance gave existing sober living homes 90 days from March 1, 2024, to submit an application for a Special Use Permit.  Existing businesses will also have one year to come into full compliance with the ordinance.

The City is continually updating its list of compliant sober living homes. On March 1, 2025, the City will initiate code enforcement through its Code Enforcement Officers. 

A special use permit allows a particular use of land for a defined period of time. They are required for certain uses in certain zones, or for activities that could have a negative impact on the surrounding area. They are often subject to conditions to ensure they are compatible with the surrounding area. To submit a Special Use Permit for a sober living home, click here.

Sober living homes in the R1 Zone:
Existing sober living homes located in the R1 zone (single-family residential zone) must apply for a Special Use Permit within 90 days of the effective ordinance date, which was March 1, 2024. These groups have one year from that date of adoption to comply with all of the details outlined in Ordinance No.1607, including the six-resident maximum. These homes must also be at least 650 feet away from any other group home, sober living home or state licensed drug and alcohol treatment facility property (as measured from the property line).

Sober living homes in the GH, R2, R3 and R4 residential zones with six or fewer occupants:

For the sober living homes in GH, R2, R3 and R4, a Special Use permit will be required for continued operation. These homes must also be at least 650 feet away from any other group home, sober living home or state licensed drug and alcohol treatment facility property (as measured from the property line).

GH: Low-medium density residential land use designation. It has a maximum density of 10.8 dwelling units per acre. 
R2: Low density multiple dwelling district with a maximum density of 10 dwelling units per net acre.
R3: Medium density multiple dwelling district with a maximum density of 15 dwelling units per net acre.
R4: High density multiple dwelling district with a maximum density of 20 dwelling units per net acre.

The City’s governance over sober living homes is limited to enforcing applicable Municipal, Zoning and Building Codes; and State Penal Code statutes. Fountain Valley is regulating sober living homes by enacting ordinances that require a certain distance between homes, limit the number of residents, and place reasonable standards for their operation. 

If you experience or witness possible code compliance violations, you can contact Code Enforcement and provide the address of the facility and activity observed.   

• Call: 714-593-4444  
• Email: CodeEnforcement@fountainvalley.gov
• Online complaint

If you experience or witness a crime, contact the Fountain Valley Police Department: (714) 593-4485.

Code Enforcement Officers employed by the City will be enforcing code compliance.

If you experience or witness possible code compliance violations, you can contact Code Enforcement and provide the address of the facility and activity observed.   

• Call: 714-593-4444  
• Email: CodeEnforcement@fountainvalley.gov
• Online complaint

To date, the City has received 19 Special Use Permit applications to operate sober living homes in R1 zones. Once the reviews are completed, the applicant homes will be scheduled for public hearings and notices will be mailed to residents within 1,000 feet of the property. 

Contact state legislators to get involved in sober living home legislation. 

• AB 2081: This bill would require licensed sober living homes to include a disclosure statement saying an individual may check the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to confirm any actions taken against their facility on their websites and intake paperwork. It would also require disclosures to include the link to the DHCS website that provides the status of any violations. AB 2081 provides increased transparency for current and future patients allowing them to make informed choices on care. 

• AB 2574: This bill would expand reporting requirements for licensed recovery home operators. This would enhance the Department of Health Care Services’ oversight of sober living homes that are operating as a part of a licensed drug treatment facility located elsewhere in the community. 

Yes, sober living homes can be located near schools. Both California law and the Federal Fair Housing Act require cities to treat sober living facilities the same as the other types of residences in the neighborhood. This prohibits the City from requiring sober living homes to maintain any distance from a school and prohibits denying a Special Use Permit based on the proximity of the property to a school.

Yes. Cities are able to address complaints regarding a sober living home because they are bound by the same regulations that apply to all types of residences. This includes enforcing existing building codes, safety regulations, municipal codes, and noise ordinances. If the sober living home, or any other home in your neighborhood has violations that you would like addressed, contact Code Enforcement. If there is suspected criminal activity, or there are illegal street parking issues, call FVPD at (714) 593-4485. 

Federal and State Laws: Both the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protect individuals in recovery from discrimination, including discriminatory zoning practices. This means that local governments cannot enact laws or ordinances that treat sober living homes differently from other residences based on their proximity to schools or other sensitive areas.

Equal Protection: These laws require that people in recovery have equal access to housing opportunities, regardless of where those homes are located.

The Need for Access to Support: Individuals in recovery often need accessible, community-based housing options. The City has implemented reasonable regulations for group homes and sober living homes. Regulating sober living homes too strictly could limit recovery resources and create unnecessary barriers for people seeking to rebuild their lives. 

July 13  to August 7 – NOMINATION PERIOD

Candidates may come to the City Clerk’s office to pick up their nomination papers and file other election documents during business hours as posted.

August 8 to August 12 – EXTENDED FILING PERIOD

Filing is extended if an incumbent is eligible to file for re-election and fails to do so by the 5:00 pm deadline on August 7, 2026. Incumbents are not eligible to file during the extended filing period. 

August 13 – RANDOMIZED ALPHABET DRAWING

Secretary of State conducts a random drawing to determine the order of the names displayed on the ballot.

August 8 to August 17 – PUBLIC EXAMINATION PERIOD

Public review period for candidate statements and ballot designations.

• NOTE: The public may view nomination papers but may not copy or distribute copies of this document that obtains the signatures of voters. (Elections Code Section 17100)

November 5 – ELECTION DAY

 December 2026 – CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS

Any person who is 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States or naturalized citizen can register to vote by filling out an Affidavit of Registration or registering online HERE; Check the Registrar of Voters website for further information.  Registration forms are available at the following locations:

County of Orange

Registrar of Voters Office

1300 South Grand Avenue

Santa Ana, California

City Clerk’s Office

Fountain Valley City Hall

10200 Slater Ave

Fountain Valley, California

The City Clerk serves as the elections official for the City of Fountain Valley and works with the Orange County Registrar of Voters to conduct elections for the City of Fountain Valley.  The City Clerk  advises candidates about procedures; accepts and maintains campaign finance disclosure statements; provides voter registration forms; and provides maps and instruction manuals to candidates.  The Registrar of Voters prints the ballots and voter pamphlet, trains poll workers, administers elections at the polls, counts the ballots, and certifies the election results. The City Council approves the election results and the City Clerk swears in the new Councilmembers and the Mayor.

To become a candidate in the next City election, you must be a registered voter and reside within the city limits of Fountain Valley.  Nomination papers and other candidate forms are only available during regular business hours, as posted, by appointment. The official filing period begins 113 days prior to Election Day and ends not later than the 88th day prior to the election. The Election Calendar is available for review on the City’s website.

Contact the City Clerk, Rick Miller at (714) 593-4445 or email at rick.miller@fountainvalley.gov

The Nomination Period is a term used when people can come to the City Clerk and get their official paperwork to run for city council.

 The Nomination Period opens on July 13, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.  As City Hall is Closed Every Friday, if you need to meet with the City Clerk on Friday August 7, 2026, you will need to make an appointment.  The required forms will only be available during that time and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Nomination Petition (must be signed by at least 20, but not more than 30, registered voters from within the City of Fountain Valley);
•  Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement; and
• Campaign Finance Disclosure Statements.

The mission of the Fair Political Practices Commission is to promote the integrity of state and local government in California through fair, impartial interpretation and enforcement of political campaign, lobbying and conflict of interest laws.

There are many filing’s that are required once you decide to run for office and the FPPC provides all these forms.  

For more information, visit HERE.

Sign Policy 2026

The Strategic Plan will serve as a roadmap for guiding the City’s efforts over the next three years, ensuring that our actions align with the needs and vision of our community.

Your input will be made available and considered by the City Council for inclusion in the Strategic Plan.