San Clemente certifies ballot measure for 1% sales tax to fund beach and fire protection services.
San Clemente, California, has taken a significant step towards funding local fire protection and beach restoration efforts, as a proposed measure to approve a 1% local sales tax has successfully gathered enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. The Orange County Registrar of Voters Office has certified that the initiative, termed the “San Clemente Natural Hazards Protection and Resilience Act of 2026,” amassed 7,119 signatures — exceeding the necessary threshold of 10% of the city’s electorate, which consists of 46,617 registered voters.
The City Council is scheduled to officially receive the proposal during its meeting on April 21, 2026, with the intention to place it on the ballot for the upcoming November election. This citizen-led initiative aims to generate revenue for two crucial areas: restoring the city’s rapidly eroding beaches, which have faced severe degradation in recent years, and enhancing the town’s defenses against wildfires.
For the measure to pass, it will require a simple majority vote during the election. Previously, a similar initiative known as Measure BB, which focused solely on funding beach improvements, failed to gain the necessary support when it did not secure the required 66.7% of voter approval.
The current proposal outlines an equitable division of revenue generated from the increased sales tax, with 50% allocated for beach protection initiatives such as sand replenishment and erosion control, while the remaining 50% would focus on wildfire prevention and fire safety measures aimed at mitigating risks to the community.
The existing sales tax rate in San Clemente stands at 7.75%, incorporating the statewide tax rate of 7.25% and an additional half-cent designated for county transportation projects. Should voters approve the new measure, San Clemente’s sales tax would rise to 8.75% for a duration of ten years, with the possibility of a one-time extension for an additional decade contingent upon future voter approval.
Revenue from the proposed sales tax increase would support a city-managed program to address wildfire risks by removing overgrown vegetation through both mechanical methods and eco-friendly grazing by goats and sheep. The funds would also be directed toward enhancing public beach access, improving infrastructure such as beachfront restrooms, and ensuring compliance with ocean water quality standards.
Aiming to rebuild the community’s coastal areas, which have suffered extensive erosion, the initiative intends to establish a consistent funding source for sand replenishment and maintenance of vital public access points. The measure includes provisions for independent audits and oversight to ensure transparency in the allocation of funds. The potential revenue from the sales tax increase could mirror other local tax structures, with estimates suggesting it might generate around million annually.
The sustained challenges posed by both beach erosion and wildfire threats highlight the urgent need for this initiative as the city seeks to secure long-term resilience and protection for its residents and natural resources. The city leadership hopes that the combination of fire safety enhancements and a sunset clause for the tax will motivate voters to support the measure in the upcoming election.
