The Huntington Beach City Council will consider mounting a legal challenge against state housing law and ceasing permitting of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) at its meeting this evening, Feb. 21.
Last November, Huntington Beach residents voted in a strongly conservative city council majority and re-elected contentious City Attorney Michael Gates. The new council promptly vowed to fight state laws and mandates that overrule city zoning rules and would force it to allow more dense housing developments.
Housing Laws Under The Microscope
The city council will vote on whether to direct the city attorney to challenge:
- Senate Bill 9, which makes it easier for property owners to subdivide lots zoned for single-family homes
- Senate Bill 10, which streamlines permitting for developments of up to 10 residential units
- State laws that require cities to permit ADUs.
Huntington Beach is already considering adopting a rule that would exempt it from the state “builder’s remedy,” which allows developers to bypass local zoning if a city lacks an approved housing plan.
And it’s certainly not the first time the traditionally conservative beach town has faced off with the state over housing.
The State Reacts
Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Department of Housing and Community Development have both warned Huntington Beach in recent weeks against trying to circumvent state housing law.
“California is facing a housing crisis of epic proportions, and it’s going to take all of us, doing our part, to ensure that Californians have access to affordable housing,” Bonta said in a news release.
Huntington Beach City Council will meet this Tuesday…
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