Policy
Zoning codes, general plan amendments, state housing law, and the rules that govern what gets built.

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More Than 20 Items, Including Significant Contracts and Grant Applications, Were Ratified by the Board After Services Had Begun or Commitments Were Made.
Rising Sea Levels, Increased Heat, and Wildfire Risks Are Transforming Development and Policy Considerations Across Coastal and Inland Orange County Communities.
The City of Santa Ana's Rent Stabilization Division Released the Annual Maximum Allowable Rent Increase and Reminded Property Owners of Registration Requirements, Concurrent with the City Council's Approval of Continued Funding for Emergency Housing Aid.

Carol Moore, a Candidate for the Laguna Woods City Council in the 2026 Election, Outlined Her Views on the City's Financial Standing, Challenges in Meeting Housing Mandates, and Priorities Including Public Safety.
Steven Von Der Porten, a Candidate for Aliso Viejo City Council District 2, Recently Outlined His Positions on Housing Mandates, City Finances, and Governmental Transparency in Response to a Candidate Questionnaire.
A Resident Group Has Filed a Lawsuit Alleging the City's Housing Element Relies on Unlawful Overlay Zoning to Meet State-Mandated Housing Obligations, Citing a Recent Appellate Court Precedent.
A Settlement Agreement on October 5 Concludes a Multi-Year Legal Dispute, Transferring Operational Control of Facilities in Orange and Irvine to the County Health Care Agency.
The County's Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Allocates Significantly More Discretionary Funding to Law Enforcement and Jail Operations Than to Permanent Housing Initiatives, Despite Decades of Evidence Supporting 'Housing First' Strategies.
City Councils in Santa Ana, Brea, and Fullerton Are Slated to Consider the Future of Their Automated License Plate Reader Contracts and Data Use Policies This Week, Following a Decision by Costa Mesa Officials Earlier This Summer.
The New Safety Standards, Approved Unanimously, Will Require Personal Safety Devices for Employees Working Alone in Guestrooms, Taking Effect in 2027.

The City Council Approved Continued Funding for a Program Offering Emergency Financial Assistance to Households Impacted by Immigration Enforcement, While the Rental Housing Board Seeks New Members.
The Unanimous First Reading Vote Follows a State Law Change Granting Cities Greater Flexibility in Setting Local Speed Limits, Particularly in Areas with Higher Accident Rates or Pedestrian Activity.
The Declaration, Initially Issued by the City Manager, Aims to Expedite Protective Measures and Secure Resources Amidst Significant Sand Erosion and a Forecasted Super El Niño.

The New Statewide Legislation, Signed by Governor Newsom, Allows Residents to Install Small, Direct-Plugin Solar Panels Without Utility Permission, While Also Advancing Virtual Power Plant Initiatives.
City Officials Have Implemented Over $11.5 Million in Cuts, with Mayoral and Council Candidates Proposing Varied Approaches to Stabilize City Finances.
The Agreement Grants OCFA Firefighters a Nearly 25% Raise Over Its Term, with Costs Projected to Elevate Charges for the Authority's Member Cities.
The Fatalities Occurred Across Multiple Cities, with Observations Noting Potential Seasonal Patterns and the Influence of Policy on Unhoused Populations.
The Significant Payouts Address Damages From the 2024 Airport Fire, Alongside Various Claims Involving the Orange County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
The Unanimous Decision Establishes a Three-Year Cooling-Off Period for Locations Where Business Licenses Have Been Denied or Revoked, Aiming to Prevent the Recurrence of Illegal Activity.
The 'Target '28' Initiative Seeks to Eliminate a Projected $47 Million Structural Deficit by 2030 Through Spending Reductions and Increased Cost Recovery, Drawing Varied Council Reactions.
Municipalities Across Orange County Are Addressing Diverse Challenges, From Proposed Housing Redevelopment and New Tenant Protections to Public Safety Concerns and Program Funding Adjustments.
The Department's Significant Annual Spending Beyond Its Initial Allocation Is Described by Officials as a Deliberate County Budgeting Mechanism Aimed at Cost Control.
The Proposed Update Aims to Modernize City Regulations Last Revised in the 1960s, Aligning Them with the Recently Adopted General Plan Vision for Orange County's Second-Largest City.
The Unanimous Decision Expands Public Notification for Facilities Handling Acutely Dangerous Chemicals and Requires Planning Commission Review for New Operators.


























