# San Clemente voters reject beach tax

> San Clemente voters reject 1% sales tax to fund beach erosion fixes.
- Title: San Clemente voters reject beach tax · Sfgate | Shortify
- Summary: San Clemente voters reject 1% sales tax to fund beach erosion fixes. San Clemente voters rejected a 1% sales tax increase to fund beach replenishment and…
- Keywords: san clemente, beach erosion, sales tax, sand replenishment, wildfire prevention, measure m, orange county, norte fire, coastal erosion, sand replenishment project, Sfgate
- Source: Sfgate — https://sfgate.com/bayarea/article/oc-beach-tax-22516839.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: san clemente, beach erosion, sales tax, sand replenishment, wildfire prevention, measure m, orange county, norte fire, coastal erosion, sand replenishment project, news, local
## Beach erosion crisis
San Clemente faces severe beach erosion with pounding waves closing rail corridors connecting San Diego to California.
## Proposed sand solutions
Politicians suggested rocky riprap or seawalls to stop erosion but these solutions risk removing public coastline access and accelerating erosion.
## 2024 sand replenishment
A 2024 sand replenishment project cost $800,000 and saved the 1968 lifeguard headquarters building near the pier.
## Measure M tax proposal
Measure M would have raised San Clemente’s sales tax from 7.75% to 8.75% generating $15 million annually for beach replenishment and wildfire prevention.
## Voter rejection
Nearly two-thirds of San Clemente voters opposed Measure M in November 2026, rejecting the 1% sales tax increase for beach erosion fixes.
## Norte Fire impact
Last month’s Norte Fire burned 7 homes and forced thousands to evacuate, highlighting wildfire risks in San Clemente’s hillsides.
## Planning commission chair
San Clemente Planning Commission chair Cameron Cosgrove says voters need local funding for beach replenishment and wildfire prevention.
## Economic factors
Cosgrove states the current economy makes voters less willing to pay for sand replenishment projects compared to a year ago.
## Next steps
Orange County Transportation Authority approved 700,000 cubic yards of sand for San Clemente’s south end to shore up the rail corridor.
## Future challenges
San Clemente lacks long-term sand replenishment and wildfire plans, requiring tough choices to reallocate funds for both needs.
## Climate change impact
Climate change fuels stronger storms and sea level rise, causing dramatic shoreline changes in San Clemente.
## Regional solutions
Cosgrove suggests forming a regional coalition to share sand solutions and implement a permanent dredger for coastal erosion.
## Key takeaway

San Clemente voters rejected a 1% sales tax increase to fund beach replenishment and wildfire prevention after a 2024 sand replenishment project cost $800,000.