State Warns California City, Ridgecrest Over Housing Law Violations

Cities have 30 days to fix issues or face possible legal action from the state.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:03am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a lone city street lamp casting long shadows on an empty sidewalk, conveying a sense of quiet urban melancholy and the political tensions around housing policy.The state's warnings to California cities over housing law violations expose the ongoing political challenges of meeting ambitious housing goals.Ridgecrest Today

The state of California has issued final warnings to the cities of California City and Ridgecrest, giving them 30 days to comply with state housing laws or face potential legal action. Both cities are out of compliance for failing to adopt certified housing elements, which are plans outlining how they will meet housing needs for all income levels.

Why it matters

California has strict housing laws that require all cities to have approved housing plans in place. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement actions, including referrals to the state Attorney General. This highlights the ongoing challenges many California communities face in meeting the state's ambitious housing goals.

The details

California City and Ridgecrest are two of 15 communities across the state that have received final warnings from the governor's office. Both cities were more than 60 days late in getting their housing elements approved. If they fail to meet the 30-day deadline, they may face lawsuits or further enforcement action.

  • California City and Ridgecrest were given a 30-day deadline to comply, ending on April 24, 2026.
  • California City first submitted a draft housing element in 2025 and has been working through revisions with state officials.
  • California City plans to have its updated housing element go before the Planning Commission in April 2026 and the City Council for a final vote in May 2026.

The players

Dr. Marquette Hawkins

The Mayor of California City, who says the city is confident it will meet the state's housing requirements.

California City

One of the two Kern County cities warned by the state for failing to meet housing law requirements.

Ridgecrest

The other Kern County city warned by the state for failing to meet housing law requirements.

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What they’re saying

“We're confident that it will be completed and that we will be in full compliance. That's never been an issue. Like I said, with this iteration of the council, there are a lot of things we are cleaning up from the previous administration, but this is just one of those things we've made a priority. We're confident that it will be done.”

— Dr. Marquette Hawkins, Mayor of California City

What’s next

If California City and Ridgecrest fail to comply with the state's housing requirements within the 30-day deadline, the state may take further enforcement action, including potential lawsuits or referral to the state Attorney General.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges many California cities face in meeting the state's strict housing laws. Failure to comply can lead to serious consequences, underscoring the importance of proactive planning and cooperation between local and state governments to address the state's housing crisis.