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]

The City is a general law city and operates under the council-manager form of government (see [RSM City Council]). Rancho Santa Margarita is a contract city. Police services are provided through contract with the [OCSD|Orange County Sheriff]. Fire Protection services are provided through the [OCFA|Orange County Fire Authority]. It was incorporated on January 1, 2000.

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]

! 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.
* In April 2010 city councilmen [Gary Thompson] and [Neil C. Blais|Neil Blais] as part of a financial audit in the city of Menifee for billing and contract overbilling.
* In February 2011 Mayor [Tony Beall] tried to remove councilman [Jesse Petrilla] while he was on California Army National Guard deployment.
* In September 2019 residents of the city started a recall campaign against long-time city councilman [L. Anthony (Tony) Beall|Tony Beall].
* In November 2019 long-time city councilwoman and city founder [Carol Gamble] was found guilty by the [FPPC] of campaign finance violations.
* In December 2019 long-time city councilman [L. Anthony (Tony) Beall|Tony Beall] was fined by the [FPPC] for campaign finance reporting issues.

! Notable Political Residents

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* [Roger Ballard]
* [Steven Baric]
* [Tony Beall]
* [Laurie Biehl]
* [Wendy Braun]
* [Don Chadd]
* [Tom Cutkomp]
* [Mike Eggers]
* [Anne Figueroa]
* [Carol Gamble]
* [Shawn Gordon]
* [Jerry Holloway]
* [Kenny Hrabik]
* [Larry McCook]
* [Brad McGirr]
* [Chris McLaughlin]
* [Jesse Petrilla]
* [Gary Thompson]
* [Jim Thor]
* [Mike Vaughn]
* [John Webb]
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! Footnotes
[1] [Wikipedia:Rancho_Santa_Margarita,_California]