Searchable Fields

1. File # - searches the designated file numbers or enactment numbers of legislation.
2. Text - searches legislative text entered into Legistar for keywords.
3. Attachments - searches for keywords in the names and content of attachments of legislative files.
4. Other info - searches related information, such as: title, file #, enactment #, type, status, introduced date, in control, on agenda date, final action date, sponsor, attachment name and content, requester. All these fields are also available to be searched on the Advanced Search page.

Please keep in mind that all words may have variations that could result in different results. Please review the Search Terms and Logic Control words for search options that will help you achieve the results you expect.

For even greater control, visit the Advanced Search page.


Search Terms

Single word - entering a single word in the search field will return any records with that word.
Example: water
Returns: all items with the word "water"

Multiple words - entering multiple words without using logic control words will return records that contain all of the words.
Example: high water bill
Returns: only items that contain each of the words "high" and "water" and "bill"

Multiple words (with quotes) - entering multiple words enclosed in double quotes will retrieve items with those exact words or phrase exactly as entered.
Example: "high water bill"
Returns: only items that contain the exact phrase "high water bill"

Wildcard (asterisk) - entering a word followed by an asterisk (wildcard) will return records that contain that word or words that have more letters wherever the asterisk is placed.
Example: water*
Returns: only items with the word "water" in them, or variations like "watered" and "watery" but not "backwater" as the wildcard is only placed after the word and not before it
*water returns only items with the word "water" in them , or variations like "masterwater" or "backwater" but not "watered" as the wildcard is only placed in front of the word and not after it
*water* returns items with the word "water" in them, or variations like "backwater" o "watery" as the wildcard is placed in front and back of the word

Logic Control Words

OR - search supports the logical "OR" operator. This will search for records that contain either one or both of the search terms on either side of the logic control word.
Example: drinking or water
Returns: all records that contain just the word "drinking" or just the word "water" or records that contain both

AND NOT - search supports the logical "AND NOT" operator. This will search for all records that, within each single field, contain the first search term, but excludes any items that contain the second search term.
Example: water and not sewer
Returns: any records that contain the word "water" but do not include the word "sewer", within each single field

 
Tips & Tricks

Search supports providing a date in order to search any of the applicable date fields (such as final action date). Make sure to include "other info".
Example: 6/29/09

Search supports limiting the results to a specific legislation year or type.
Example: pick 2009 in the listing of years and pick Resolution in the listing of types

Search supports combining wildcards with control words.
Example: water* and not revenue

Note - special characters (!, #, %, etc.) are not searchable by text searches.


Search Examples

Find ordinances with a status of Passed for 2012
1) Go to the Legislation tab
2) Click on ‘Advanced Search’
3) In the Date field choose 2012
4) In the Legislative File Information field choose Status option Passed
5) Click Search Legislation

Find legislation introduced in January 2013
1) Go to the Legislation tab
2) Click on ‘Advanced Search’
3) In the Date field choose 2013
4) In the Legislative File Information field select January 1, 2013 from the first calendar box next to ‘Introduced’
5) Choose the ‘between’ option
6) In the Legislative File Information field select January 31, 2013 from the first calendar box next to ‘Introduced’
7) Click Search Legislation

Find Rules Committee agendas, minutes, video, and audio for 2013
1) Go to the Calendar tab
2) Choose 2013 from the Year field
3) Choose Rules Committee from Body field
4) Click Search Calendar

Find legislation sponsored by a Supervisor
1) Go to the Legislation tab
2) Choose 2013 from the Date field
3) Choose Sponsor from the Related Information field
4) Choose ‘primary,’ ‘secondary,’ or ‘both’ from Related Information field
5) Click Search Legislation

Find all legislation with the word CEQA
1) Go to the Legislation tab
2) Type CEQA in the Search field
3) Choose All Years from the Date field
4) Click Search Legislation