California takes legal action against five local governments over housing plans
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Department of Housing and Community Development filed legal action against five local governments Thursday, alleging they failed to adopt housing plans that comply with state law.
Under California law, every city and county must periodically adopt a state-approved “housing element,” a blueprint showing where new homes can be built and how the community plans to accommodate its share of the state’s moderate- and low-income housing needs. The state contends that Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest and Turlock remain out of compliance after repeated notices of violation and opportunities to revise their plans.
“California can’t solve the housing crisis while some cities sit on their hands and dare us to do something about it,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a press release. “These five jurisdictions had every chance to follow the law and plan for their fair share of housing. They chose not to, so now they’ll answer for it in court.”
The lawsuits ask judges to order the local governments to bring their housing plans into compliance with state law. The cities can either fight the lawsuits in court or reach agreements with the state that set court-enforceable deadlines for updating their housing elements.
Under a 2024 state law sponsored by Bonta, local governments can be fined for each month they fail to adopt a compliant housing element. They also remain subject to the “Builder’s Remedy,” a provision of state law that limits their ability to reject housing projects based on local zoning rules.
In March, Newsom issued notices of violation to 15 communities that had not yet complied with state housing law, warning they could face legal action.
Several of the jurisdictions later said they would continue working with HCD to bring their housing elements into compliance, The Modesto Bee reported.
State officials said Thursday that most of the jurisdictions have since come into compliance or are expected to do so in the coming months, leaving Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest and Turlock as the five referred to the attorney general for enforcement.
“The vast majority of California’s cities and counties have stepped up to achieve housing element compliance,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez in a news release. “For the small number that are still falling short, the actions we are taking today should send a clear message: No community is exempt from doing its part to solve our housing crisis. Alongside Attorney General Bonta, Governor Newsom and HCD will continue to hold local governments accountable for complying with state law.”
HCD previously told the city of Turlock that its revised housing element had addressed the statutory deficiencies identified in the department’s previous review. According to a July 3 letter obtained by The Sacramento Bee, the city still needed to complete required rezoning, adopt the housing element and submit both to HCD before the department could certify the plan.
The city’s rezoning hearings are scheduled for August, according to a press release.
Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens told The Bee in a statement the city of Costa Mesa completed its rezoning in April and has been awaiting comments from HCD.
“We are surprised and disappointed that the state filed such a needless lawsuit,” Stephens said.
The cities of Calexico, Half Moon Bay and Ridgecrest did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This story was originally published July 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM with the headline "California takes legal action against five local governments over housing plans."
