AG B​onta celebrated the Superior Court of Tulare County’s ruling against the City of Tulare’s Zoning Ordinance Update, which allows cold-storage and other facilities to be permitted by-right in both light and heavy industrial zones. Today’s order found the Update to be in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and directs the City to void its decision approving the 2024 Zoning Ordinance Update and to fully comply with the requirements of CEQA prior to any future approval actions with respect to the Zoning Ordinance Update.

“For too long, communities of color and low-income communities have borne the brunt of pollution, leaving them with devastating impacts to their health. Today’s ruling shows that the rule of the law, including CEQA, ensures California’s economic development does not come at the expense of clean air, safe water, and healthy neighborhoods." – AG Bonta