Cause for Removal or Suspension
San Diego Municipal Code § 23.1203
in effect§23.1203 Cause for Removal or Suspension
(Rule XI, Section 3, of the Rules of the Civil Service Commission)
Except as provided in Section 23.1203 (o), the following are declared to be causes for removal or suspension from the classified service of the City, though charges may be based on causes other than those enumerated:
(a) That the employee is incompetent or inefficient in the performance of his or her duty.
(b) That the employee has been offensive in his or her conduct toward fellow employees, wards of the City, or the public.
(c) That the employee has some permanent or chronic physical or mental ailment which incapacitates the employee for the proper performance of his or her duties.
(d) That the employee has violated any lawful or official regulation or order or failed to obey any lawful and reasonable direction given by a superior officer when such violation or failure to obey amounts to insubordination or serious breach of discipline.
(e) That the employee has solicited or taken for personal use a fee, gift, or other valuable thing in the course of his or her employment or in connection with it when such fee, gift or other valuable thing is so solicited or given the employee by any person in the hope or expectation of receiving a favor or better treatment than that accorded other persons.
(f) That the employee has failed to pay or make reasonable provision for future payment of just debts when annoyance is caused the employee’s superior officer or other City officer or scandal is caused the service because of such failure.
(g) That the employee has been convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
(h) That the employee through negligence or willful conduct has caused damage to public property or waste of public supplies.
(i) That the employee has been guilty of any conduct unbecoming an officer or employee of the City.
(j) That the employee has been absent without leave, contrary to the rules of the Commission, or has failed to report after leave of absence has expired, or after such leave of absence has been disapproved, revoked or canceled by the Commission; provided, however, that if such absence or failure to report is excusable, the Commission may dismiss the charges.
(k) That the employee has hindered the regular operation of the department or division because of excessive absenteeism.
(l) That the employee has violated the provisions of Section 134 of the Charter of The City of San Diego.
(m) That the employee has violated the provisions of Section 135 of the Charter of The City of San Diego.
(n) That the employee has failed to obey an order from the City Manager or other department head to terminate or desist from outside employment or enterprise that has been determined to be incompatible with City employment or detrimental to the efficiency of his or her regular City work.
(o) An employee who is designated as exempt under the terms and provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act may be suspended from work without pay only for a violation of a safety rule of major significance and not for any other reason.
(Amended 10–11–1993 by O–17995 N.S.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter02/Ch02Art03Division12.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/28/2026