California Sues Turlock: What the Housing Law Lawsuit Means for Your Community

California’s attorney general just filed a lawsuit against Turlock, along with four other cities, for failing to comply with state housing requirements. The Housing Element Law mandates that every city plan for adequate housing across all income levels and update those plans every eight years. Turlock missed its December 31, 2023 deadline and hasn’t completed the rezoning necessary to accommodate its required housing allocation. Governor Newsom’s administration is making an example of these cities to push for statewide compliance by the end of the year.

The immediate impact on Turlock could be significant. The state is seeking to suspend the city’s non-residential building permits, which would prevent new business development from moving forward. This means if you’re planning to expand your company, open a new location, or develop commercial property in Turlock, you could face serious delays. Additionally, the city faces potential fines and a 120-day window to get compliant with state law.

This lawsuit is really about California’s bigger housing crisis. The state needs 2.5 million new homes in this sixth update cycle, and cities that drag their feet only make the problem worse. Housing costs continue to climb, and communities that fail to plan for growth end up with shortages and affordability problems. Are you affected by Turlock’s housing situation? Tell us what you’ve experienced in our community.