Turlock Housing Rezoning Heads Toward August Hearings After State Lawsuit
California sued Turlock on July 16 over its overdue housing plan, while city officials say required rezoning is moving toward three anticipated public proceedings in August.
The legal action increases pressure on Turlock to complete its sixth-cycle Housing Element, which was due Dec. 31, 2023. The California Department of Housing and Community Development has found that the city’s revised draft addresses issues identified in an earlier state review, but Turlock has not regained substantial compliance because required rezoning and final adoption steps remain unfinished.
What the state says
The California attorney general and HCD announced legal action against Turlock and four other California cities on July 16. The state is seeking court-ordered compliance with California Housing Element Law, according to HCD’s announcement and local reporting on the filing.
In a July 3 letter, HCD said Turlock’s revised draft Housing Element, including revisions submitted in May and July, met the statutory requirements identified in the department’s Nov. 17, 2025 review.
That finding did not restore the city to compliance. HCD said substantial compliance cannot be found until Turlock completes the necessary rezoning to accommodate its Regional Housing Needs Allocation, adopts the rezoning and Housing Element, submits the documents and receives HCD approval.
The state letter identified two unfinished programs: rezoning to address the Regional Housing Needs Allocation shortfall and by-right rezoning for certain sites from prior inventories.
What Turlock plans next
The city’s July 16 update says the required rezoning package is anticipated to go to the Planning Commission on Aug. 6 for a recommendation. A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11, followed by final consideration on Aug. 25.
Those dates are planned procedural steps, not completed decisions. The city has not yet regained substantial-compliance status, and even local adoption would not by itself finish the state process.
Turlock said staff have advanced the Housing Element through state review and are preparing the zoning actions needed to implement the revised plan. City Manager J.J. Murphy said the city’s focus is completing the remaining public process and achieving compliance.
Why the lawsuit matters
HCD says an out-of-compliance jurisdiction may face exposure under California’s Housing Accountability Act, including the Builder’s Remedy. In general terms, that can limit a city’s ability to reject qualifying low- and moderate-income housing projects solely on zoning grounds. The specific effects in Turlock remain subject to the legal process and applicable project facts.
HCD also cited civil-penalty provisions under Senate Bill 1037 for jurisdictions that remain out of compliance. The department said those penalties are directed toward affordable housing in the same community.
The state review letter also said housing-element compliance can be considered in eligibility or ranking for some public funding programs, including Caltrans’ Senate Bill 1 Sustainable Communities grants, the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program and HCD’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation.
The lawsuit is a request for court-ordered compliance, not a final court ruling. Any court-ordered deadlines, permit restrictions or requirements affecting housing projects would depend on the case and subsequent court action.
What residents should watch
Residents may have opportunities to review and comment as the rezoning package moves through the anticipated Aug. 6 Planning Commission recommendation, Aug. 11 public hearing and Aug. 25 final consideration. Meeting times, locations and agendas should be confirmed through the city before publication or attendance.
If Turlock adopts the rezoning and Housing Element, the city would still need to submit the materials to HCD and obtain final state approval before substantial compliance is restored.
Sources
- California Department of Housing and Community Development enforcement announcement
- City of Turlock housing update and HCD July 3 review letter
- The Modesto Bee report on the Turlock lawsuit
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