What happens if a Housing Element isn't approved?
Housing Element Updates are required by State law.
Cities, towns and counties are required to develop a housing plan that meets or exceeds state law.
There are big consequences to jurisdictions that don’t submit a Housing Element update that complies with state law. This can include paying monthly fines and fees and being disqualified from state grants, as well as having a court issue an order mandating that the jurisdiction complies anyway. A court could also remove the ability of a city, town or county to make their own land-use decisions, require the inclusion of affordable units and/or enforce a moratorium on all permits until compliance has been met.
