Council tightens rules for group homes, bars violators from reapplying for five years

Huntington Beach officials voted unanimously to amend the city’s group‑home rules so operators who have a special‑use or conditional‑use permit revoked, or who are found to operate in violation of the code, will be barred from applying for a new permit for five years.

Staff told the council the city’s 2024 group‑home ordinance established permitting requirements designed to protect neighborhoods and ensure operator accountability. In recent months staff reported instances of facilities operating without proper permits or in apparent violation of permit conditions. At the council’s direction, staff worked with the city attorney to draft an amendment clarifying that operators who violate the rules are disqualified from reapplying for five years, and to add conforming administrative updates such as notification requirements consistent with Assembly Bill 119.

Planning staff and the city attorney explained the amendment applies to the operator entity — not solely to an individual house — so an operator that loses a permit in Huntington Beach would be prohibited from applying for a new permit citywide for five years. Staff told the council that the city will continue to post permit information and make it easy for residents to check whether a house is operating with an approved permit. The council approved the zoning text amendment (ZTA 25‑003) and the implementing municipal‑code ordinances on a 7‑0 vote.

Council members said the change is intended to protect neighborhoods while preserving legitimate, permitted group homes and sober‑living options. Several council members and residents emphasized the city has provided clear pathways for compliant operators to apply and that the amendment targets bad actors who intentionally bypass rules.