The City of Murrieta is looking to bring local control back into the housing conversation, advocating for a statewide conversation on the balance between California’s housing objectives and the ability of local governments to responsibly plan their communities.
Murrieta has submitted a resolution for consideration through the League of California Cities, also known as Cal Cities, calling for a statewide, city-led effort to evaluate options for strengthening local authority over housing and land-use decisions.
Rather than prescribing a set solution, the resolution seeks to establish a process through Cal Cities that brings communities from across California together to identify priorities, evaluate potential legislative or other approaches, and develop recommendations that reflect the collective interests of cities statewide.
“Murrieta understands the responsibility cities have to help address California’s housing needs, and we are doing our part,” Councilwoman Lori Stone said. “But housing does not occur in isolation. Cities must also plan for infrastructure, public safety, public services, and the long-term impacts of growth. This resolution is about ensuring local communities continue to have a meaningful voice in those decisions.”
Murrieta, a community of more than 120,000 residents in southwestern Riverside County, continues to experience significant residential and economic growth. The city has exceeded its Regional Housing Needs Allocation and has nearly 5,000 additional housing units permitted or pending approval.
The city believes its experience reflects a broader challenge facing communities throughout California. State housing laws have increasingly affected local zoning, development standards, and land-use decisions, while cities remain responsible for providing the infrastructure and municipal services necessary to support growth.
“This is not an anti-housing resolution, nor does it predetermine what the ultimate solution should be,” Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday said. “The goal is to bring cities together, do the necessary analysis, and determine what approach best serves us collectively. The State has an important role in housing policy and should continue to have one. What we are seeking is a better balance between statewide objectives and local decision-making.”
The resolution amended and passed by the Housing, Community, and Economic Development Policy Committee calls for the establishment of a working group through Cal Cities to convene the effort, because of its statewide membership, organizational capacity, policy expertise, and role representing California cities in Sacramento.
Cities from across California have already stepped forward in support of participating in the resolution process, demonstrating that concerns surrounding local authority extend beyond any one community or region.
“Individual cities cannot address an issue of this magnitude alone,” Stone said. “Through Cal Cities, we have an opportunity to bring different communities and perspectives together and develop solutions that none of us could accomplish independently.”
The resolution is being considered through Cal Cities’ 2026 policy resolution process. If advanced through the organization’s Resolution Committee on September 24, it will proceed to consideration by city voting delegates during the Cal Cities General Assembly at its Annual Conference and Expo on September 25.
Murrieta’s objective is to move cities from responding individually to State housing legislation toward collaboratively developing constructive, durable solutions.
“We have an opportunity to be proactive,” Holliday said. “While I would have liked to see this resolution proceed unamended, I’m heartened to know that Murrieta is not alone, and it’s about time we band together and send the message to Sacramento: Cities aren’t the obstacle; we’re the partners in delivering the right housing for our communities.”
