Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a stern ultimatum to 15 California municipalities, threatening legal action if they do not promptly address severe violations concerning state housing laws. This move comes as the state continues to grapple with an intensifying housing shortage across California.

Cities Face 30-Day Deadline for Housing Plan Compliance

The Governor notified 15 cities on Wednesday that they have just 30 days to respond before their cases are escalated to the state's Attorney General for potential litigation. Every jurisdiction named is significantly behind schedule, exceeding two years past the deadline for securing a state-certified housing element.

A housing element is a mandatory plan detailing how a city will permit a specific quota of new residences across various income levels over a set timeframe. The cities receiving these final notices are:

  • Atwater
  • Avenal
  • California City
  • Corcoran
  • Escalon
  • Hanford
  • Kings County
  • Lemoore
  • Merced County
  • Montclair
  • Oakdale
  • Patterson
  • Ridgecrest
  • Turlock

Half Moon Bay: The Sole Bay Area Recipient

Of the 15 localities warned, only Half Moon Bay, located in San Mateo County, is situated in the Bay Area. This coastal city, home to just over 11,000 residents, gained national scrutiny in 2023 after a tragic mass shooting at a farm labor camp highlighted the poor living conditions for local farmworkers.

Half Moon Bay is mandated to plan for a minimum of 480 new housing units, with more than half designated for low- and moderate-income residents. The city attributes delays to necessary coordination with the California Coastal Commission due to its location within the coastal zone.

In an emailed statement, the city affirmed it “takes the governor’s comments seriously” and is actively finalizing rezoning updates with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to meet state mandates.

Expert Skepticism on Delay Causes

Jeremy Levine, policy manager at the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, suggested that the Coastal Commission is not the primary obstacle to progress. Levine emphasized that compliance requires more than just drafting zoning changes; it demands making tangible projects achievable.

Furthermore, the farmworker housing project at 555 Kelly Ave., approved in 2023, remains unstarted despite Newsom’s 2024 warning about its “egregious” delay. This five-story development aims to provide 40 units for farmworkers aged 55 and older but has faced community opposition regarding traffic and parking.

Belinda Arriaga, founder of Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, stressed the critical nature of the delay for farmworkers. “Every year that passes by is critical for them,” she stated, urging faster completion for those who have worked the fields for decades.

State Enforcement and Broader Compliance Picture

Governor Newsom asserted that his administration, through the Housing Accountability Unit established in 2021, will maintain strict enforcement. He aims to counter anti-housing opposition and hold local governments accountable, stating, “No community gets a pass when it comes to addressing homelessness or creating more housing access.”

The HCD noted that 20 other cities and counties are currently out of compliance but are anticipated to meet requirements within the next 60 days, thus avoiding immediate notices of violation. San Mateo County, known for its high cost of living, is among these jurisdictions; while it has met core requirements, it still needs to finalize rezoning to achieve full compliance.

Cities failing to comply face severe penalties beyond lawsuits, including potential fines and the forfeiture of state grant funding. They also risk the application of the “builder’s remedy,” which allows developers to bypass local zoning if affordable units are included.