Frequently Asked Questions

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Three City Council seats for four-year terms -Council Members are elected at-large

• Three seats for four-year terms
  • Term ending - Council Member Zuber, Council member de Graaf and Council Member Barton

Information contained on this page is for candidates for Ripon City Council only. Candidates running for offices on special district boards that represent Ripon residents should contact the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters at 209-468-2885 or visit their website for additional information.

To be eligible to run for City Council, a person must be a registered voter of Ripon at the time nomination papers are issued. In order to qualify as a registered voter in Ripon you must be:

• A United States citizen
• A resident of Ripon
• At least 18 years of age on the date of the next election
• Not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction

Each member of the City Council shall receive a salary as set forth in Government Code Section 36516.

The nomination period runs from July 15, 2024 until August 8, 2024. If an eligible incumbent has not filed on the last day of the nomination period, eligible candidates other than the incumbent shall have until August 14, 2024 to complete nomination papers.

No, the City of Ripon does not charge a fee to file nomination papers. However, there is a fee to pay if you choose to file a candidate statement. This fee is determined by the Registrar of Voters office, not the City, and the amount varies with each election.

You may withdraw your candidacy any time prior to the close of the nomination period. If you choose to withdraw after that date, your name will appear on the ballot.

Yes. An officeholder or candidate who receives contributions (including loans) that total $2,000 or more in a calendar year must file a Form 410 (Statement of Organization).

If you need help, but can't safely speak on the phone or are unable to speak, use your mobile phone to send a text message to 911.

Text to 911 is an option to help those who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired and anyone who feels unsafe speaking over the phone. Placing a voice call to 911 for an emergency is still the preferred way to ask for help.

9-1-1 is the number to call for all emergencies. If you need police, medics, or the fire department, in an emergency, 9-1-1 is the number to call. 9-1-1 is the dedicated phone line that will connect you to your local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). A highly skilled and well-trained dispatcher will be the person you will speak with.

During an emergency, dial 9-1-1 from any phone. 9-1-1 calls will go through to your local PSAP whether you’re calling from a push button, cordless, cellular/wireless, rotary, or pay phone. Remember to remain calm and tell the dispatcher where emergency assistance is needed. Please remember to follow the dispatcher’s instructions; we are here to help you in an emergency.

9-1-1 is only to be used when an emergency has just happened, or when it is in progress. An emergency is defined as being any situation that requires an immediate “Code 3” type response from the medics, fire, or police department. In public safety, Code 3 means a response with lights and siren to a high priority situation. For example, any type of serious, or life threatening crime in progress, or injury vehicle collision. Any type of serious medical situation, i.e. a heart attack, a serious injury to a person, or an unresponsive person. Remember; use your judgment and common sense when dialing 9-1-1. Please do not dial 9-1-1 if you do not have a real, Life or Death or Crime in Progress emergency.

Please do not use 9-1-1 to ask what the number for the non-emergency line is. Do not call 9-1-1 for/to: report a crime that has occurred hours or days earlier, animal related calls (unless the animal is attacking a person), civil standbys, child custody disputes, non-injury vehicle collisions, suspicious persons or vehicles, verbal disputes/arguments, general information, as a prank, loud music, loud parties, directory assistance, or to speak with an officer.

Do not feel bad, many people misdial 9-1-1. The most common reason dispatchers hear, “I meant to dial 4-1-1.” If you misdial 9-1-1, do not hang up, stay on the phone with the dispatcher and let them know you misdialed. Do not disconnect until they tell you to do so. If you hang up, the dispatcher will attempt to call you back and check to determine if everything is okay.

The RPD dispatch center has equipment that allows us to communicate with citizens that are hearing/speech impaired by means of a TTY/TDD system. If you call via the TTY/TDD system, stay on the line, and tell the dispatcher what the problem is. Every time the dispatcher is done typing, they will end the sentence with “GA” which is short for go ahead. If you are hearing or speech impaired and do not have a TTY/TDD system or any other means of communicating during an emergency, dial 9-1-1 and stay on the line. The dispatcher’s computer will have your address and phone number, so they can send an officer over to check and see what the problem is.

The dispatcher does this to determine the severity and nature of each call we receive. It is our job to keep our officers as safe as we can, and not send them into harms way without knowing some information. You may feel that the dispatcher is being nosey, or asking too many questions, but that is our job, we are in the business of information. We also ask questions to determine the priority of the call and how we need to respond. Say for example we get a call of a fight. We need to know if it’s a verbal dispute, or a physical fight, or a fight with weapons involved. A verbal dispute would get a different response as compared to a fight with weapons, which would generate a “Code 3” response from our officers. Also, it’s important for our officer’s safety to know if they might encounter a suspect who could be under the influence of drugs, or if the suspect might have a knife. We ask questions like, “which way did they leave,” so our officers know where to look for a person. All of these questions are important, and it’s even more important that you cooperate and answer them.

As was said before, 9-1-1 is for emergencies only. The City of Ripon only has two lines dedicated to 9-1-1, and one 7-digit emergency line 209-599-5022, remember, we also dispatch for the City of Escalon after hours, weekends, and holidays. A major incident will generally generate a large number of 9-1-1 calls. For example, if there is a vehicle accident, it’s not uncommon for the dispatcher to answer multiple 9-1-1 calls, non-emergency line calls advising of the accident, as well as a few CHP cell phone transfers that are calling for the same accident. It’s dangerous to have 9-1-1 tied up on non-emergency calls. Just think, when you dial 9-1-1, you don’t want to hear a busy signal.

Prank calls are when someone dials 911 as a joke, or dials 911 and then hangs up when there is no need to dial 911. This is very dangerous; someone with a real emergency might not be able to get through. It is also against the law in the state of California to misuse 911. You can be charged with a misdemeanor if you make a 911 prank call. ( California Penal Code 653x)

Yes, we can help you. If you dial 9-1-1, or the non-emergency line, the dispatcher can conduct a three-way phone call with a translator that will assist them. If you can speak any English, please tell the dispatcher what language you speak so they can get the proper translator. The City of Ripon has a contract with a company called Language Line, which has over 150 languages that they can translate for us.

The City of Ripon Police Department has implemented a computer automated Geographic Information System (GIS). The implementation of this GIS mapping system/software will serve in direct support of the emergency call takers at this PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). It will also assist in keeping our communications center functioning at its best in regards to the handling of all calls including the WE9-1-1 calls and providing the best service to our citizens whether by wireline or wireless calls. As of December 6, 2004 the City of Ripon Police Department signed an agreement with the State of California Telecommunications Division in regards to answering 9-1-1 calls from cell phones. Known as WE9-1-1 (Wireless Emergency 9-1-1)

If you have a cell phone and dial 911 inside the City of Ripon, you will now get the Ripon Police Department instead of CHP. What this means for you the caller is:

1. No need for a call transfer
2. Faster response time
3. The caller is only interrogated once
4. Caller will talk with their local police department

If the cell phone caller has GPS (Global Positioning System) capability on their cell phone then the dispatcher will be able to track the caller's location as long as the call remains live/active. Also, if the caller is unable to speak and the cell phone they are using has GPS, the police will be able to respond to the location of the phone/caller and provide emergency help if needed.

The City provides each home with one City container, which is easily rolled to curbside on collection day. It is the only type of container that the automated truck can service. The City assigns containers to the house. Do not take the container from the property when changing houses. Do not paint or deface the container; however, neatly stenciled house numbers are acceptable.

To ensure pickup, all containers must be at curbside by 6 am on scheduled collection days. Truck operators will not come back for refuse put out after the truck has passed your house.

The preferred container location for collection is on the street with wheels toward the curb. Be sure the container is at least 15 feet from parked vehicles and five feet from each other. Lids must be closed for dumping.

All common household trash and garbage are allowed in the container. Yard trimmings may be placed in the container. Cardboard boxes should be flattened to save space. In the interest of container cleanliness, we encourage you to use plastic bags for wet garbage and to hose out your container occasionally. Refuse must fall freely from the container when dumped.

We ask that you refrain from parking along streets on collection day where vehicles may block access to a container. Generally, a 5-foot clearance from isolated vehicles is adequate. Keep containers away from cars, boats, and trailers to avoid risk of damage.

Items that must not be placed in the containers include:

• Dirt or sod
• Rocks or concrete
• Toxic or flammable materials such as oil, gas, or paint
• Hot ashes
• Debris from construction, remodeling, or demolition

To arrange for a dead animal pick up, please contact Animal Control at 209-599-2102.

Subject to verification, the City will replace stolen containers, free of charge. We will replace all damaged containers or repair them unless the customer, by negligence or abuse, has caused the damage. Your assistance in caring for the container will reduce our costs of operation.

If a container is overfilled or not accessible, a tag will be left on the container explaining the reasons and proper procedures. If they miss your service with no notification on your container, non-service may be caused by a truck breakdown or truck operator errors, in which case, call 209-599-2151 by noon of the following day.

The City provides a voluntary yard waste program, supplying a "green" container for yard waste only. Yard waste includes all grass clippings, brush, and trimmings (not palm tree clippings). Do not put plastic bags or potting containers in green containers. These items contaminate the yard waste and can cause everything to be landfilled rather than composted. Green cans are only $3.30 per month.

If you are interested in participating in the yard waste program, please contact Public Works at 209-599-2151. By putting your yard waste in green cans or in the street during the annual free pick-up rather than in your black garbage can, you are helping to reduce the tons of material taken to the landfill each year.

A warrant is a court order authorizing arrest of a subject for a crime committed by the subject.

After being arrested for a crime you are given the opportunity to pay a fine or appear before a Judge. If you do not comply with either of these methods, a warrant may be issued for your arrest for the original crime committed. In addition, an arrest warrant can be issued from evidence collected in a crime report submitted to the District Attorney indicating possible guilt. This is an Arrest Warrant.

If you miss a court date, a bench warrant may be issued by the court. The warrant will be assigned for service to the agency where the initial crime occurred. As a courtesy, if it is assigned to the Ripon Police Department a letter will be mailed to you advising you of the warrant.

If you fail to appear at jail, a bench warrant may be issued by the court. The warrant will be assigned to the agency responsible where the initial crime occurred. As a courtesy, if it is assigned to the Ripon Police Department a letter will be mailed to you advising you of the warrant.

If you fail to pay a fine, a bench warrant may be issued by the court. The warrant will be assigned to the agency responsible where the initial crime occurred. As a courtesy, if it is assigned to the Ripon Police Department a letter will be mailed to you advising you of the warrant.

Bring the letter with you to any law enforcement agency and turn yourself in.

If you have a warrant for your arrest, you may go to any law enforcement agency in the State of California or the issuing court and turn yourself in. If the warrant is not in the statewide system, any agency outside of San Joaquin County will have to call the Ripon Police Department at 209-599-2102 to confirm it for you.

You will be placed under arrest on the warrant and advised of the specific charges against you. Depending on the severity of the warrant, you will either receive a citation with a new court date and time to appear, or be booked into a jail. If the warrant is from a county other than San Joaquin, you may be transferred to an additional jail after being booked into the San Joaquin County Jail. The warrant will be cleared from the system.

(What if I am a victim of identity theft?) By going to the issuing court and verifying your true identity. If you do not live in the local area, you may have to begin by filing a report with your local police department.

1. You would be arrested only if the warrant is authorized for nationwide extradition.
2. For the Ripon Police Department a warrant can be issued into more than one computer database. The first database is the San Joaquin County Warrant Database. Any agency within the boundaries of San Joaquin County can inquire directly into this system and serve active warrants. The second database is the California Wanted Persons System. Any warrant in this system is made available to any law enforcement agency in the state. The third is the National Crime Information Center Wanted Person System, and is accessible by any agency in the nation.

No you cannot, you must come in person. No information will be released over the telephone as we are unable to determine who the information is being given to.

No it will not. The warrant will remain active in system until it has been served.

If you are aware that you have a warrant or suspect that you do, it is to your benefit to take care of it immediately. If you do not take care of it, it may be served at your home or at a public place, at the grocery store, etc. If you are driving a vehicle at time of arrest your vehicle may be towed.

Report release is governed by the Public Records act. Anyone may request a copy of a report but not everyone is Entitled to a report. Some reports may have confidential information that may not be released. Some reports may list Juveniles. For a report listing juvenile information, requestor must petition the juvenile court to obtain a copy. A petition for is available at the Ripon Police department. Examples of people who may obtain a copy of a report are:

• Victims and Others named in a report.
• Suspects* in cases that are closed, adjudicated or not under investigation.
• Parties involved in a traffic collision.

Suspects in cases that are pending criminal prosecution, may have access to a copy of the report through their legal counsel.

A Report Request Form must be completed and submitted for review. You may obtain the form by Picking up a form at the Ripon Police Department, and submitting it in person, or submit the form online You will be notified within 10 days if the report is available for release and of the associated fees. You must come to the Department with valid identification to pick up the report.

The following are some possible reasons for requests being denied:

• You are not a party to the report.
• Juveniles were involved and you did not obtain a petition from the Juvenile Court.
• The report is still under investigation or pending in court.
• The report is no longer on file and has been disposed of according to law.
• You are a suspect in the report and there is pending criminal action.

Anyone wishing to carry on commerce within the corporate City limits must first obtain a City Business License; the business doesn’t have to be physically located in Ripon. (Ordinance 477, Section  2 (part), 1991)

Issuance of a business license evidences that the person(s), firm, or corporation has paid the applicable fee required by the City of Ripon Code. Issuance of a business license does not relieve the applicant of the requirements to comply with other regulations of city, county, state, or federal government agencies, nor does it constitute endorsement of the applicant, his/her employees, or product by the City or its employees.

The license fee is based on business type such as retail, service, professional, contractor, manufacturer, solicitor, etc.

One owner and spouse are included in the Base License Fee; any other owners, partners, etc. are considered employees. An annual fee is charged per employee working in Ripon. In accordance with the Bay Area Consumer Price Index, license fees vary from year to year. Please refer to the Business License Fee Schedule (PDF) for current rates.

Business Licenses are issued in January of each year and expire on December 31st of the same year. For new Business License Applicants, fees are not prorated. The total annual fee is required regardless of the date applying; however, any completed Applications received after November 30th of the current year will be processed for the next year. Renewal notices are mailed in December as a courtesy reminder. Payment is due on January 1st and is considered delinquent if not received by January 31st. A late charge will be assessed if not received by January 31st.

If you are no longer conducting business in Ripon, you must notify the Business License Division in writing; otherwise, it will be assumed that you are still conducting business in Ripon and you will continue to receive notices requesting payment.

Separate business licenses, including appropriate fees, are required for each business carried on at the same location or elsewhere within City limits. Proof, however, may be submitted to the City Clerk of the City of Ripon that a particular business that is carried on at the same location is not in fact a separate and distinct business operation and that the business activities of said business are connected with, a part of, and necessary to the operation and performance of other licensed business activity for which a business license is required which is also carried on at the same business location. (Ordinance 507 Section 2, 1992)

Certain types of businesses are allowed to operate from the home. They are generally limited to those who use equipment normally found in the home.

For home-based businesses, a Home Occupation Permit (PDF) is required in addition to a business license. This permit is good for two calendar years effective January 1st. Fees are not prorated.  For more information on Home Occupation Permits, contact City Hall by calling 209-599-2108.

Please allow one to two weeks for processing and approval of your Business License Application. When a Home Occupation Permit is required, please allow an additional two weeks.

If you plan to use a fictitious name for your business, you must obtain a Fictitious Business Permit from the San Joaquin County Recorder’s Office by calling 209-468-3939.

Exemptions from the business license requirements are granted to those engaged in the following:

• Banks and financial institutions
• Churches, religious societies, fraternal societies, patriotic societies, or charitable societies located within the City, provided no other person, firm, co-partnership, or corporation derives any profit, compensation, or direct benefit from any business enterprise by any of the foregoing undertaken or joined in. Those churches, religious societies, fraternal societies, patriotic societies, or other charitable societies located outside the city shall file a Non-Profit Business Permit Application with the city for obtaining a free license for soliciting within the city limits.
• Doctors, lawyers, architects, dentists, and other similar professional persons not having a fixed place of business within the city who are called upon to come to the city to render occasional isolated services unless on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Farmers, poultrymen, or horticulturists who may sell exclusively their own produce grown by themselves, either at their homes or farms or by house-to-house sale.
• Insurance companies
• Trucking, transport, or hauling companies, or deliverymen who are called upon to come into the city to render occasional services for another entity.

Exemption from the business license requirements does not exempt you from other permits/licenses that may pertain to your business.

This is a question that you need to ask Lisa, because Chrischelle does not know!

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Jane and Lisa!

For questions on this report, contact Katie in the Building Department at 209-599-2613.

If you are hiring a contractor to work on your home, contact this department to be sure the contractor has a local license. All contractors working in Ripon must have a license registered with the City (an out of town license in not sufficient.)

The Building Inspection Division of the Public Works Department is overseen by the Director of Public Works\Building Official. The department is staffed with a Chief Building Inspector and one Building Inspector. All of the Department staff are ICBO Certified Inspectors.

The Building Department's primary responsibility is to ensure safety to life and property from all hazards incidental to the design, erection, repair, removal, demolition or use and the occupancy of building, structures or premises through the enforcement of City zoning regulations and state and local building codes.

If you have a permit and need to schedule an inspection, please call 209-599-6079 the day before you want the inspection. This is a 24-hour recording line, please listen to the instructions and the inspection will be scheduled the following work day. AM and PM requests only.

The Building Department processes applications, collects permit fees, appropriates development fees, and issues building permits for various residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects within the City of Ripon.

The Building Department reviews plans to ensure that the building structure, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, handicap accessibility, and energy usage is in compliance with all state and city adopted construction codes. Residential and light commercial plans are checked in-house and heavy commercial and industrial are sent out to professional plan check services.

The Building Department is responsible for inspecting the construction of all new and existing structures for conformity with approved plans and permits and for compliance with state and local building code requirements. A total of 1,634 inspections were performed last year.

The Department enforces minimum standards of the uniform housing codes for existing residential buildings to safeguard life, liability, health, property and public welfare by conducting health and safety inspections and responding to tenant complaints.