Given annually by the League of California Cities since 1982, the prestigious Helen Putnam Award of Excellence is named after the League's first woman President and honors cities for excellence in eleven categories of municipal service.

The City of Lancaster has been awarded the following Helen Putnam Awards of Excellence:

2012
Health and Wellness Programs
Neighborhood Impact and Wellness Homes

2010 
Community Services and Economic Development 
Economic Stimulus Program

2007
Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government 
Youth in Government, General Plan Update, Branding Program

2002
Physical Environment & Land Use
Prime Desert Woodland Preserve

2001
Community Service
Lancaster CARES
Land Use and Environmental Quality
Energy Conservation Management System

2000
Youth Development
Lancaster Teen Court

1999
Land Use and Environmental Quality Program
Ingenuity and Innovation Build National Soccer Center

1997
Government Efficiency and Responsiveness Program
Connections: Communicating With Residents

1996 
Community Services Program
Arts For Youth 
Public Works, Communications & Transportation Program
Metrolink Station

1995 
Financial Management Program
County Facilities Project 
Healthy Cities Partnership Program
Bicycle Safety
Public Work and Transportation Program
L.E.D. Traffic Signal Retrofit 
Environmental Quality Partnerships Program
Blue Sky Project

1994
Financial Management Program
Urban Structure Program 
Healthy Cities Partnership Program
Employee Wellness Program 
Environmental Quality Partnerships Program
Tire Recycling

1993 
Government Efficiency and Responsiveness Program
Partners: Citizens and Government Working for Tomorrow

1986
Community Services
Schools/City Partnership