FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2024
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff
(657) 334-4930 | Alyssa.Napuri@ocgov.com
OC Supervisor Releases Statement Following 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling in Favor of the City of Costa Mesa’s Sober Living Home Ordinance
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling that affirms that the City of Costa Mesa’s sober living home ordinance is not discriminatory.
“This is a great day for the rule of law. The message from the Ninth Circuit is clear: local governments have the right to regulate recovery residences. Unscrupulous sober living home operators adversely impact our communities, pose risks for those seeking care, and reduce access to real housing options for residents in need,” said Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley. “We look to the future for state legislation that will give further tools to local governments to reasonably regulate the industry.”
“This decision of the Ninth Circuit is the culmination of the hard work and wisdom of city councils, planning commissioners, city staff and outside counsel dating back over 12 years,” said Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens. “I’m grateful for the efforts of Supervisor Foley while she was on council and Mayor of Costa Mesa. Together, we have preserved the character of our neighborhoods while allowing for reasonable and appropriate care for those struggling with addiction.”
“This is an important win for sensible land use regulation, for Costa Mesa residents and residents throughout California and the Ninth Circuit, and for balancing the needs of all residents, including the disabled,” said Costa Mesa’s appellate counsel Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila. “I am proud to have served as Costa Mesa’s appellate counsel in this case and throughout multiple long-running challenges to its sober living home ordinances.”
The County of Orange ordinance is modeled after Costa Mesa’s, so this ruling allows us to continue to regulate and protect the public health in the county unincorporated areas as well.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Chair – OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition, Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
