City Attorney / Andrew Janz

Andrew Janz Closeup

Andrew Janz was appointed City Attorney in December 2022 and oversees an office of 39 attorneys and 190 support staff including code enforcement officers, investigators, and inspectors. The Fresno City Attorney’s budget is approximately $32 million annually.  During his tenure as City Attorney, Andrew has led the effort to protect congressionally appropriated federal funds for public safety, transportation, and housing; to prosecute wage theft; in curbing criminal activity in local smoke shops, and in expanding the role of the City Attorney’s Office in tenant protection and holding slum-lords accountable.

Prior to joining the City Attorney’s Office, Andrew served at the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office where he was a Deputy District Attorney. While there, Andrew prosecuted various types of cases including violent crimes and child sexual abuse cases.  Before becoming a prosecutor, Andrew clerked for District Court Judge Carolyn Ellsworth in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Andrew attended Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles where he obtained his juris doctor degree. During law school, Andrew served on Law Review and was a summer associate at Merleker and Mielke, an internation law firm in Berlin, Germany.  He is also a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. During graduate school, Andrew was selected to attend former CIA Director Leon Panetta’s Institute of Public Policy in Monterey, California.

 Andrew is married to Heather Walker Janz who owns and operates a marriage and family therapist practice. The two have a daughter, Wilhelmina Janz.  Andrew enjoys cooking Thai food for friends and family and watching English Premier League soccer.

Public Records

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) is California state law that gives the public the right to inspect and copy most records retained by governmental agencies in the course of business. The CPRA regulates the public’s access to the records and contains limited statutory circumstances when records need not be disclosed.

The City department where the records are located is responsible for responding to requests for public records as the custodian of records. The City Attorney’s Office is frequently consulted to assist City staff in responses to requests.

Cannabis Issues

In response to numerous questions regarding when the City will accept and issue licenses for cannabis businesses in Fresno, here is a brief summary of our status.

On December 13, 2018, Fresno City Council adopted the Cannabis Retail Business and Commercial Cannabis Business Ordinance, which sets out the permitting framework and regulatory requirements for Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis businesses to eventually operate within the City for commercial activities such as cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution.  Read the ordinance.  This ordinance may be further refined by the City Council over the next several months.

Although the Cannabis Business License Tax has been approved and the Cannabis Retail Business and Commercial Cannabis Business Ordinance has been adopted, the City can not issue any Commercial Cannabis Business Permits to begin operating legally until the remaining components are completed. In addition, the City is establishing the application processes for licenses to be issued by the City.  Applicants who are issued licenses by the City will also need to complete the Conditional Use Permit process before they open.  And go through the standard planning and building permit process for any tenant improvements they may be constructing.

This web page will be updated on a regular basis to reflect these milestones as they are achieved.

Management Team

Management Team for the City Attorney

Policies

Resolutions adopted by the City Council

Code Enforcement

Enforcing the City’s Minimum Housing Code

Wage Protection Program

The City of Fresno’s Wage Protection Program

Smoke-Free Housing

Protect residents from second or third-hand smoke exposure

Eviction Protection Program

Defends tenants renting an apartment or house