FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Perris Officially Named a Clean California Community
PERRIS, Calif. (February 11, 2026) – The City of Perris has officially been recognized as a Clean California Community, earning designation through Caltrans’ statewide Clean California initiative for its ongoing commitment to litter prevention, beautification, and environmental stewardship, Perris officials announced.
Perris is one of 45 communities across California to receive the designation to date.
The designation highlights Perris’ leadership in supporting California’s Zero Litter movement and reflects the City’s continued efforts to maintain clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces.
The City applied for the recognition in December after demonstrating that many of the required criteria were already being met through existing programs, partnerships, and ongoing community efforts focused on litter reduction, beautification, and environmental awareness.
Over the past year, the City has continued to implement policies and programs that promote cleaner neighborhoods, encourage community pride, and enhance public spaces throughout Perris. These efforts include ongoing beautification initiatives, park cleanups, litter prevention strategies, and partnerships that support long-term environmental stewardship across the community.
“We took the pledge to uphold the principles of the Clean California Community Program,” said Mayor Michael M. Vargas during the February 10, 2026, City Council meeting. “This designation reflects the strong sense of pride our residents take in their neighborhoods and the City’s ongoing commitment to maintaining clean, attractive public spaces for everyone who lives, works, and plays here.”
The Clean California Community Designation Program is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion Clean California initiative, launched in 2021 and led by Caltrans to clean up, reclaim, transform, and beautify public spaces throughout the state. The program was developed in partnership with Keep America Beautiful, and Keep California Beautiful.
To earn the designation, Perris successfully completed at least 10 of the program’s 15 criteria, which focus on implementing long-term policies and practices that support litter prevention, beautification, and community engagement. These criteria include maintaining ongoing cleanup and beautification programs, supporting environmental education and outreach, and fostering partnerships that help sustain a cleaner community.
As a designated Clean California Community, Perris will receive official signage recognizing the achievement, educational resources to support continued cleanup and beautification efforts, automatic membership with Keep California Beautiful, and recognition in statewide Clean California outreach materials.
For more information about the Clean California Community Designation Program, please visit CleanCA.com/Designation.
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