California filed lawsuits Thursday against five cities that state officials say have repeatedly failed to comply with state housing laws, marking the latest escalation in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) pressure campaign on local governments to plan for more housing.
The legal action targets Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest, and Turlock, all of which the state claims are years overdue in adopting state-approved housing plans required under law.
Newsom said the lawsuits are intended to ensure every jurisdiction contributes to addressing the state’s persistent housing shortage.
“California can’t solve the housing crisis while some cities sit on their hands and dare us to do something about it,” the governor said in a statement. “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.”
State officials say more than 95% of cities and counties have adopted compliant housing elements, which include plans that outline how local governments intend to accommodate housing at all income levels, leaving a small number of jurisdictions still lagging.
Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state has exhausted efforts to bring the five cities into compliance before turning to litigation.
“California’s housing crisis demands action, not excuses,” Bonta said in a statement. “Timely compliance is not optional.”
Each city received formal notices of violation, opportunities to respond, and multiple meetings with state officials before the cases were referred to the attorney general’s office.
Under California law, every city and county must routinely update its housing element to demonstrate how it will meet state-assigned housing goals. Jurisdictions that fail to do so may face significant consequences, including the loss of authority to deny certain qualifying housing developments under the state’s “Builder’s Remedy.” A 2024 law also authorizes civil penalties for continued noncompliance, with fines directed toward affordable housing projects in the offending community.
The lawsuits follow a string of enforcement actions against local governments during Newsom’s tenure. The state has previously reached settlements with several cities, including Hollister, Malibu, Fullerton, and Coronado, requiring them to bring their housing plans into compliance.
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The administration also pointed to Huntington Beach as an example of the state’s increasingly aggressive approach. A judge earlier this year ordered the city to pay $160,000 after it failed to adopt a compliant housing element, with additional penalties of $50,000 per month until it complies.
Newsom, who is termed out of office this year and is widely expected to launch a 2028 presidential bid, has made housing a centerpiece of his administration, pairing tougher enforcement of local housing laws with moves to streamline development approvals and expand funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs. The administration says it is prepared to pursue additional legal action against jurisdictions that continue to ignore state housing requirements.