California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against the city of Turlock for being more than two years late in delivering its state-required housing plan.

Bonta and the California Department of Housing and Community Development are requesting the city bring its housing element into compliance and complete all required rezoning within 120 days, according to a press release issued by the attorney general’s office. The filing also seeks to suspend the city’s authority to issue nonresidential permits while requiring the approval of certain residential projects.

Four other cities – Calexico (Imperial County), Costa Mesa (Orange), Half Moon Bay (San Mateo) and Ridgecrest (Kern) – are facing the same action, part of an effort to achieve statewide compliance by the end of 2026.

“California can’t solve the housing crisis while some cities sit on their hands and dare us to do something about it,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in press release issued Thursday. “These five jurisdictions had every chance to follow the law and plan for their fair share of housing. They chose not to, so now they’ll answer for it in court. Housing law applies statewide, and no city gets a pass.”

The city issued a press release on Thursday, signed by new City Manager John J. Murphy, detailing its side of the squabble.

“The city of Turlock is aware of the legal action recently filed by the California attorney general regarding the city's housing element,” the release stated. “While the legal process will proceed independently, the city also believes it is important that residents understand where the housing element process stands today.”

According to the city, HCD's most recent review confirmed that the city's revised housing element addresses the statutory requirements identified in the department's previous review.

“The remaining step before HCD can make a finding of substantial compliance is completion and adoption of the required rezoning necessary to implement the housing element,” the city said.

Under the Housing Element Law, jurisdictions must update their housing plans every eight years to meet its share of regional housing needs. California is in the sixth “housing element update cycle,” which requires local governments to plan for about 2.5 million additional homes statewide. Housing elements must include an assessment of housing needs, an inventory of resources to meet those needs, and a strategy to carry out the policies.

Earlier this year, Turlock was among 15 local governments that Newsom criticized and threatened with legal action for delayed housing plans.

“California’s housing crisis demands action, not excuses,” said Bonta via the press release. “Jurisdictions that remain out of compliance with our housing element law are standing in the way of the homes Californians need. We are well past the halfway point in the current housing planning cycle, and timely compliance is not optional. … Today, we are showing how serious we are about ensuring that every city and county in California adopts a housing element.”

The state’s housing crisis – defined by a supply shortage and skyrocketing prices – could become an embarrassing political issue for Newsom, who is widely expected to launch a bid for the White House in 2028. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, home values and rents in the state are among the highest in the nation, and the state has one of the highest rates of homelessness. In fact, 68 percent of residents say housing affordability is a problem in their part of the state, while 63 percent say homeless is a major problem.

This is the not the first time that Newsom and the city have cross swords. Back in May of 2025, after the city council opted not to unlock nearly $270,000 in grant funds for the We Care men’s homeless shelter, the governor called out the Turlock City Council.

“It is imperative that the city reconsider its priorities and demonstrate the kind of collaborative, accountable, and solutions-oriented leadership this crisis demands,” Newsom wrote then. “Enough. Do your job.”

Turlock proposes 5,802 housing units in its current draft. This includes 1,305 for very-low-income people, 903 low-income and 1,096 in the middle.

“The city has made significant progress toward housing element compliance, and we have a clear path forward,” Murphy said in the city’s release. “Our focus now is on completing the remaining public process, achieving housing element compliance, and continuing to plan responsibly for Turlock’s long-term future.”

After the rezoning package goes before the Planning Commission on Aug. 6, a public hearing is slated for Aug. 11, with final consideration expected on Aug. 25.