Editorial: Time for courts to impose fines on Huntington Beach scofflaws
It was all fun and games until it wasn't. The Huntington Beach City Council, which prides itself on its MAGA priorities, has since 2023 taken on the state on the housing front. The council refused to comply with several laws that require California cities to permit more housing construction. It filed state and federal lawsuits challenging the measures.
It was unusual, as regulation-happy Democrats pushed exemptions to the onerous California Environmental Quality Act. Republicans - typically advocates for CEQA reform - resisted the changes under a "local control" mantra. Mainly, the city refused to adopt a housing element that provides zoning for more than 13,000 new units. It's about allowing private developers to build more units.
The council's resistance was performative and we predicted that Huntington Beach would get slapped down by the courts. Sure enough, the city has lost its legal actions. However foolhardy, counterproductive and costly, cities have a right to challenge state laws. But now that the state and federal supreme courts have rebuked its appeals, it's time for Huntington Beach to follow the law.
Now the city is asking for yet another 240 days claiming that these documents take time to produce. The state is seeking a $50,000 a month penalty dating back to January 2025. The state is correct. Huntington Beach has had plenty of time to produce its revised housing element and has shown few signs of acting in a good-faith manner. The city has financial challenges, so the fine will hurt, but the courts need to finally end the city's game-playing.
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM.