Huntington Beach has been ordered by a San Diego Superior Court Judge to pay more than $160,000 in penalties, with additional monthly fines set to accrue until the city resolves its non-compliance with state housing law, as Voice of OC reported. The initial order stems from the city's failure to secure approval for its housing plan and to complete the necessary rezoning for new housing development.
Judge Katherine Bacal issued the order, having previously paused fines to allow Huntington Beach an opportunity to bring its housing plan into compliance. However, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) rejected the city's submitted plan. HCD's determination, supported by Judge Bacal's order, cited the city's failure to properly rezone land to accommodate new housing as required by state mandates.
The court's ruling specifies a tiered penalty structure. Huntington Beach is subject to a $20,000 per month penalty for June, July, and August of 2026. This monthly civil penalty will then increase to $50,000 from September 2026 onward, continuing until the violation is cured and the city's housing plan is approved by the state. This financial obligation directly impacts city taxpayers.
Following this judgment, state prosecutors and attorneys representing Huntington Beach were scheduled to meet with Judge Bacal in court to discuss the implementation and specifics of these penalties. This legal development marks the latest chapter in a protracted dispute between Huntington Beach city leaders and the State of California.
The core of this years-long legal conflict centers on Huntington Beach's contention that, as a charter city, it possesses the autonomy to bypass certain state laws. Conversely, the state maintains that Huntington Beach, like all other cities within California, is bound by statewide regulations. Judges have consistently ruled in favor of the state on various issues, including challenges related to the city’s housing plan, voter identification requirements, and sanctuary state laws.
Despite repeated court losses, city leaders have asserted that their legal challenges ultimately benefit taxpayers by delaying the implementation of state laws within the city. A spokesperson for Huntington Beach did not respond to requests for comment on Friday morning regarding the court's order. However, Mayor Casey McKeon, in a text message to Voice of OC on Friday morning, stated he was in discussions with the city attorney regarding the matter. He further noted that attorneys would be arguing the merits of the court’s ruling at a scheduled hearing.
