Overview
- On Feb. 23, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Huntington Beach’s petition, leaving in place the Ninth Circuit’s decision affirming dismissal of the city’s federal challenge.
- A San Diego Superior Court ruling issued Dec. 19, 2025 requires the city to adopt a state‑compliant housing element within 120 days and limits local land‑use authority until compliance.
- The city must plan and zone for at least 13,368 new homes this decade under the housing mandate referenced in the state court order.
- Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the Supreme Court’s move, as the AG pursues state enforcement that includes sought civil penalties of $50,000 per month.
- Huntington Beach’s federal case was dismissed in district court, unanimously upheld by a Ninth Circuit panel, and left undisturbed after the circuit denied rehearing en banc; Mayor Casey McKeon vowed to keep pressing the city’s position in state proceedings.