Your Guide to the Laguna Beach City Clerk’s Office
Whether you just signed a lease on a canyon cottage, closed escrow on a hillside home, or have lived here for years, the City Clerk’s Office is one of the best places to begin understanding how Laguna Beach works.
What the City Clerk’s Office Does for You
My name is Ann Marie McKay, and I serve as the elected City Clerk for the City of Laguna Beach.
My office may not be the first place you think of when you think about settling into a new community — but it probably should be.
At its core, my office is the keeper of the public record. We maintain the official minutes of every City Council meeting, manage city elections, and serve as the front door for California Public Records Act requests.
If you want to know what your city government has done, is doing, or is considering, our office is where that story lives.
For new residents especially, that matters. Laguna Beach is a community that takes civic engagement seriously. Residents here show up. They speak at Council meetings. They serve on committees. They ask questions and expect real answers.
My office exists to make that participation possible.
Four Ways the City Clerk’s Office Serves Residents
The office protects public access to local government and helps residents participate in the decisions that shape Laguna Beach.
Official Records
Maintains City Council minutes and the official record of city actions, meetings, decisions, and proceedings.
Local Elections
Administers Laguna Beach municipal elections in partnership with the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
Public Records
Helps residents inspect and obtain government records through the California Public Records Act process.
Boards and Commissions
Manages recruitment and applications for volunteer boards, commissions, and committees that help shape city decisions.
Get Involved Through Commissions, Committees, and the Design Review Board
One of the most meaningful ways to become part of this community is to serve on one of Laguna Beach’s volunteer committees and commissions.
From the Design Review Board to the Environmental Sustainability Committee, these bodies give residents a direct voice in shaping city policy and decisions.
My office manages the recruitment process when vacancies open. Applications, deadlines, and current openings are posted on the City’s website.
Elections Matter Here
Local elections determine who represents residents and helps oversee the direction of Laguna Beach city government.
Laguna Beach holds municipal elections for City Council, the City Clerk, and City Treasurer on the statewide general election schedule.
My office administers local elections in partnership with the Orange County Registrar of Voters, and we work to make sure every eligible resident has what they need to participate.
If you are new to California or new to Laguna Beach, make sure your voter registration reflects your current address. The California Secretary of State’s website is the place to register or update your information.
I would encourage you to verify that your information is accurate and current.
Public Records: Your Right to Know
California has one of the strongest public records laws in the country.
Under the California Public Records Act, residents have the right to inspect and obtain copies of government records. My office handles these requests and is committed to timely, good-faith responses.
If you ever have a question about a city decision, a contract, a permit, or a policy, you have the right to ask.
Come to a City Council Meeting
City Council meetings are open to the public, and public comment is a real part of the process — not a formality.
Agendas are posted in advance on the City’s website, and meetings are also available by livestream for those who cannot attend in person.
My office prepares and maintains the official record of every session.
Visit the City WebsiteWe’re Here
The City Clerk’s Office is located at Laguna Beach City Hall. We are a small office, but we take our responsibility to you seriously.
Whether you need help locating a public record, understanding a meeting agenda, learning about a commission vacancy, or finding election information, the office is here to help.
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, California
I would encourage every new resident to attend a City Council meeting at least once. This city is worth knowing well.
