Chapter 6.94
ENFORCEMENT OF LAWFUL ORDERS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Sections:
6.94.010 Title and purpose of chapter.
6.94.020 Unlawful to violate lawful orders related to COVID-19.
6.94.010 TITLE AND PURPOSE OF CHAPTER.
This chapter shall be referred to as the “enforcement of lawful orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic ordinance.”
The purpose of this chapter is to create an infraction offense arising from violations of lawful county and state orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This infraction offense provides an alternative, simplified, less serious criminal mechanism for enforcement of these orders.
(Ord. 2020-12 § 3 (part), 2020).
6.94.020 UNLAWFUL TO VIOLATE LAWFUL ORDERS RELATED TO COVID-19.
No person in the city of Santa Cruz may violate a lawful order, related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been issued by the Santa Cruz County health officer, the Governor of the
State of California, and/or the State of California Public Health Officer.
(Ord. 2020-12 § 3 (part), 2020).
6.94.030 INFRACTION OFFENSE.
Persons who violate Section 6.94.020 are guilty of an infraction offense under the Santa Cruz Municipal Code.
While it is the intent of the city council that the majority of violations of lawful orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic be handled as infractions, nothing in this chapter should be interpreted so as to prevent the Santa Cruz police department, the Santa Cruz County district attorney’s office, and/or the city attorney’s office from exercising reasonable discretion and, alternatively, choosing to cite, arrest, and/or prosecute individuals for misdemeanor offenses under different applicable laws related to violations of lawful orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is especially true for individuals who repeatedly violate these orders and for individuals who demonstrate a reckless disregard for public health and safety.
(Ord. 2020-12 § 3 (part), 2020).
6.94.040 SEVERABILITY.
If any section or portion of this chapter is found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such finding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the chapter, which shall continue in full force and effect.
(Ord. 2020-12 § 3 (part), 2020).