Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in [Orange County], [California], United States. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master-planned community. The population was 47,853 at the 2010 census, up from 47,214 at the 2000 census. Although it is named for Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, which was in San Diego County, the city limits fall within the borders of Rancho Mission Viejo.[1]

Rancho Santa Margarita is bordered by the city of Mission Viejo on the west, the census-designated Coto de Caza and Las Flores on the south, Trabuco Canyon on the north, and the Cleveland National Forest on the east.[1]

! Government
The city is governed by the [RSM City Council].

! Controversies[1]
* In March 2008, then city attorney John Cavanaugh was suddenly asked to resign by then-Mayor Pro-Tem Gary Thompson with no explanation given or in the record.[26]
* In April 2010 city councilmen Gary Thompson and Neil C. Blais as part of a financial audit in the city of Menifee for billing and contract overbilling.[27]
* In February 2011 Mayor Tony Beall tried to remove councilman Jesse Petrilla while he was on California Army National Guard deployment.[28]
* In September 2019 residents of the city started a recall campaign against long-time city councilman L. Anthony (Tony) Beall.[29]
* In November 2019 long-time city councilwoman and city founder Carol Gamble was found guilty by the FPPC of campaign finance violations.[30]
* In December 2019 long-time city councilman L. Anthony (Tony) Beall was fined by the FPPC for campaign finance reporting issues.[31]

! Footnotes
[1] [Wikipedia:Rancho_Santa_Margarita,_California]