Golden State Today

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has rejected Huntington Beach's lawsuit against California over state housing laws. This decision follows a previous ruling by a lower court and affirms that the city must comply with state requirements to build additional housing.

In March 2023, California initiated legal action against Huntington Beach for not adhering to state housing laws. The city countered with a federal lawsuit, claiming these laws were unconstitutional. However, the recent appellate court decision dismissed this challenge.

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating: “Today, yet another court has slapped down Huntington Beach’s cynical attempt to prevent the state from enforcing our housing laws. Huntington Beach officials’ continued efforts to advance plainly unlawful NIMBY policies are failing their own citizens — by wasting time and taxpayer dollars that could be used to create much-needed housing. No more excuses — every city must follow state law and do its part to build more housing.”

Attorney General Bonta also commented on the outcome: “I am pleased that yet another court has emphatically rejected Huntington Beach’s attempt to exempt itself from state housing laws,” he said. He emphasized the need for the city to adopt a compliant housing plan and mentioned ongoing efforts in the state case where violations of the Housing Element Law have been identified.

This unanimous decision by a three-judge panel reinforces California's position in requiring cities like Huntington Beach to meet their obligations under state law.

A copy of the court's decision is available for public viewing.