By Adam Nelson, REALTOR®, First Team Real Estate · CA DRE 01308220 · Updated November 2026
Did Measure M Pass?
No, Measure M is failing. In the latest unofficial count, posted by the Orange County Registrar of Voters on Nov. 11, about 63% of San Clemente voters said no and about 37% said yes. It needed more than half to pass. Orange County will certify the final results on or before Dec. 3.
What Was Measure M?
Measure M was a citizens' initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot. It would have added 1% to the sales tax in San Clemente, California, taking it from 7.75% to 8.75%, for 10 years. The city estimated it would bring in about $15 million a year.
Half the money would have gone to beach work like adding sand, and half to fire protection and wildfire prevention, like the city's goat grazing program. Groceries and medicine would not have been taxed.
Does Measure M Change Property Taxes?
No. Measure M was a sales tax, the tax you pay at checkout when you buy things in San Clemente. It had nothing to do with property taxes. Whether it passed or failed, it would not have changed what you pay on a home.
Why Is Sand A Big Deal In San Clemente?
San Clemente's beaches have been shrinking for years. City Manager Andy Hall told the Associated Press the city is short about 3 million cubic yards of sand, which he said would take about 300,000 truckloads to replace.
The loss also affects the train. The rail line along the San Clemente coast is the second busiest passenger rail line in the country, and erosion and slides have closed it again and again. Council member Victor Cabral told NBC Los Angeles the tracks have been closed almost a year in the past six years.
Has San Clemente Voted On A Sand Tax Before?
Yes. In 2024, Measure BB asked for a half cent sales tax for beach work, mainly sand. About 65% of voters said yes, but it needed two-thirds because the money was set aside for specific purposes, so it failed.
Measure M was different. It came from residents through a petition, so it only needed more than half. It was also twice the size and split between sand and wildfire prevention.
What Did Each Side Say?
Supporters wanted local money for sand and wildfire prevention. Opponents, including Councilman Zhen Wu, said they want sand too, but not through this tax, and pushed for a regional approach instead.
What Happens Next?
The county is still counting ballots and posts updated results at 5 p.m. on weekdays. Results will be certified on or before Dec. 3.
Sand work does not stop if Measure M fails. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project placed about 115,000 cubic yards of sand near the pier in 2024, and more sand is planned over the coming years. The city also has a permit to place up to 3 million cubic yards over 10 years if it can find the money, and it is looking for new sand sources, with San Onofre and the Santa Ana River among the most promising.
If You're Buying Or Own In San Clemente
Your property tax is not affected, and the sales tax stays at 7.75%. If you're looking at a home near the beach or the tracks, it's worth knowing how the beach in front of that area has held up. I'm happy to share what I know about a specific neighborhood.
Thinking about San Clemente? See homes and neighborhood info on my San Clemente page.
Your Questions
Did San Clemente's Measure M pass?
No, it is failing. In the unofficial count as of Nov. 11, 2026, about 63% voted no and 37% voted yes. It needed more than 50% to pass. Final results will be certified on or before Dec. 3.
What was Measure M in San Clemente?
A citizens' initiative for a 1% sales tax for 10 years, with half the money for beach sand and half for fire protection and wildfire prevention. The city estimated it would raise about $15 million a year.
Does Measure M affect property taxes?
No. Measure M was a sales tax on purchases in San Clemente. It did not change property taxes.
What is the sales tax in San Clemente?
7.75%. Measure M would have raised it to 8.75%.
Why is San Clemente losing sand?
Waves carry sand offshore, and the city says it is short about 3 million cubic yards. In some spots along the tracks, the ocean now reaches the rail line where there used to be beach.
Why does the train close in San Clemente?
Erosion and slides along the coast have shut down the rail line several times in recent years. Crews have placed rock along the tracks to protect them.
What is San Clemente doing about beach erosion?
The Army Corps of Engineers placed about 115,000 cubic yards of sand near the pier in 2024, with more planned. The city has a permit to add up to 3 million cubic yards over 10 years if it finds funding, and it is searching for new sand sources.
Has San Clemente voted on a sand tax before?
Yes. In 2024, Measure BB, a half cent sales tax for beach work, mainly sand, got about 65% yes but needed two-thirds and failed.
When will Measure M results be final?
The Orange County Registrar of Voters will certify results on or before Dec. 3, 2026.
Adam Nelson, REALTOR®, First Team Real Estate. CA DRE 01308220. (949) 866-0245
Sources
- Orange County Registrar of Voters, unofficial results, Nov. 11, 2026
- Orange County Registrar of Voters, ballot materials, results schedule and certification date
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sept. 2024
- San Clemente Times, Nov. 5, 2026
- Voice of OC, Nov. 4, 2026
- Spectrum News, Oct. 16, 2026
- NBC Los Angeles, Sept. 26, 2026
- Associated Press via Fortune, Sept. 27, 2026
- Daily Pilot via DredgeWire, March 2026
- Voice of OC, Nov. 2024, and Triton Times, Nov. 2024 (Measure BB)
