HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-15 - Approving a Code Amendment to Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit) of the NBMC to Ensure Consistency with the Local Coastal Program Amendment Related to Short Term Lodging (PA2023-0116)ORDINANCE NO. 2025-15
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
CODE AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 5.95 (SHORT TERM
LODGING PERMIT) OF THE NEWPORT BEACH
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH
THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT
RELATED TO SHORT TERM LODGING (PA2023-0116)
WHEREAS, Section 200 of the City Charter, of the City of Newport Beach
("City"), vests the City Council with the authority to make and enforce all laws, rules and
regulations with respect to municipal affairs subject only to the restrictions and
limitations contained in the City Charter and the State Constitution, and the power to
exercise, or act pursuant to any and all rights, powers, and privileges or procedures
granted or prescribed by any law of the State of California;
WHEREAS, Section 20.66.020 (Initiation of Amendment) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code ("NBMC") provides that the Planning Commission or the City Council of
the City of Newport Beach ("City Council") may initiate an amendment to Title 20
(Planning and Zoning) ("Title 20") of the Newport Beach Municipal Code ("NBMC");
WHEREAS, the City Council directed the Planning Commission to identify
opportunities to modify Titles 20 ("Code Amendment") and 21 ("LCP Amendment") of
the NBMC on May 23, 2023, effectively initiating amendments, to facilitate new visitor
serving accommodation opportunities within the Mixed -Use Water (MU-W2) and Mixed -
Use Cannery Village and 15th Street (MU-CV/15th St.) zoning districts;
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission discussed the Code Amendment and
LCP Amendment on June 22, 2023, to facilitate new visitor serving accommodations,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 19,
2023, in the City Council Chambers, located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach,
California. A notice of time, place and purpose of the hearing was given in accordance
with California Government Code Section 54950 et seq. ("Ralph M. Brown Act") and
Chapter 20.62 (Public Hearings) of the NBMC. Evidence, both written and oral, was
presented to, and considered by, the Planning Commission at this hearing;
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the hearing, the Planning Commission adopted
Resolution No. PC2023-037 by a majority vote (3 ayes, 1 nay) recommending approval
of the Code Amendment and LCP Amendment to the City Council;
Ordinance No. 2025-15
Page 2 of 4
WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on November
28, 2023, in the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach,
California. A notice of time, place and purpose of the public hearing was given in
accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and Chapters 20.62 (Public Hearings) and
21.62 (Public Hearings) of the NBMC. Evidence, both written and oral, was presented
to, and considered by, the City Council at this public hearing;
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-83 on November 28,
2023, authorizing submittal of the LCP Amendment filed as PA2023-0116 to the Coastal
Commission by a unanimous vote (6 ayes, 0 nays) amending Title 21 (Local Coastal
Program Implementation Plan) of the NBMC related to short term lodging regulations for
properties within the coastal zone;
WHEREAS, the City Council also adopted Ordinance No. 2023-23 on December
12, 2023, amending Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit) and Title 20 (Planning
and Zoning) of the NBMC, which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A," and incorporated
herein by reference, implementing the Code Amendment, however, the Code
Amendment does not take effect until certification of the LCP Amendment by the
California Coastal Commission;
WHEREAS, subsequent to that, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-4
on March 11, 2025, amending Sections 5.95.042 (Maximum Number of Permits),
Section 5.95.043 (Transfer of Permit), and Section 5.95.065 (Suspensions and
Revocations) of Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit), which is attached hereto as
Exhibit "B," and incorporated herein by reference, to update administrative procedures
related to short term permits which took effect on April 10, 2025;
WHEREAS, the California Coastal Commission denied the LCP Amendment as
submitted at its May 7, 2025, hearing and approved it with suggested modifications
(LCP-5-NPB-24-0004-1 Part A) that require a revision to Section 5.95.042 (Maximum
Number of Permits), for consistency with Title 21;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit)
to incorporate the California Coastal Commission modifications to the LCP Amendment
as well as create consistency with Ordinance No. 2025-4; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a hearing on July 22, 2025, in the Council
Chambers located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California. A notice of time,
place and purpose of the hearing was given in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Evidence, both written and oral, was presented to, and considered by, the City Council at
this public hearing.
Ordinance No. 2025-15
Page 3 of 4
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach ordains as
follows..
Section 1: The City Council hereby approves the amendments to Chapter 5.95
(Short Term Lodging Permit) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code as set forth in
Exhibit "C," and supported by the findings set forth in Exhibit "D," both of which are
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
Section 3: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional such decision shall
not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The
City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance, and each
section, subsection, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 4: The City Council of the City of Newport Beach finds the introduction
and adoption of this ordinance is exempt from environmental review under the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, which states
that an activity is not subject to CEQA if "[t]he activity will not result in a direct or
reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment". The Code
Amendment would allow existing residential dwelling units in mixed -use zones to be
used as short term lodging. The Code Amendment would not authorize new
development that would result in a physical change in the environment.
Section 5: This ordinance, shall not become effective until thirty days after
adoption and until the Executive Director of the Coastal Commission certifies that this
ordinance complies with the Coastal Commission's May 7, 2025, action on LCP
Amendment Request No. LCP-5-NPB-24-0004-1 Part A (STRs in Mixed Use Zones).
Section 6: Except as expressly modified in this ordinance, all other sections,
subsections, terms, clauses and phrases set forth in the Newport Beach Municipal Code
shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
Section 7: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be
published pursuant to City Charter Section 414 and shall become final and effective as
provided in Section 5 of this ordinance.
Ordinance No. 2025-15
Page 4 of 4
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach held on the 22nd day of July 2025, and adopted on the 26th day of
August 2025, by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES: Mayor Stapleton, Mayor Pro Tern Kleiman, Councilmember Barto,
Councilmember Grant, Councilmember Weber, Councilmember
Weigand
NAYS: None
RF_CUSED: Councilmember Blorn
ATTEST:
Molly Perry, I
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY A TORNEY'S OFFIC
Aaron t. Harp, City Attorney
Attachments: Exhibit A — Ordinance No. 2023-23
Exhibit B — Ordinance No. 2025-4
Exhibit C — Code Amendment
Exhibit D — Findings in Support of Code Amendment
EXHIBIT "A"
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-23
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-23
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
CODE AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 5.95 (SHORT TERM
LODGING PERMIT) AND TITLE 20 (PLANNING AND
ZONING) OF THE NEWPORT BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATED TO SHORT TERM LODGING (PA2023-0116)
WHEREAS, Section 200 of the City of Newport Beach ("City") Charter vests the
City Council with the authority to make and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations with
respect to municipal affairs subject only to the restrictions and limitations contained in
the Charter and the State Constitution, and the power to exercise, or act pursuant to
any and all rights, powers and privileges, or procedures granted or prescribed by any
law of the State of California;
WHEREAS, Section 20,66.020 (Initiation of Amendment) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code ("NBMC") provides that the Planning Commission or the City Council of
the City of Newport Beach ("City Council") may initiate an amendment to Title 20
(Planning and Zoning) ("Title 20") of the Newport Beach Municipal Code ("NBMC");
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2023, the City Council directed the Planning
Commission to identify opportunities to modify Titles 20 and 21 of the NBMC, effectively
initiating amendments, to facilitate new visitor serving accommodation opportunities
within the Mixed -Use Water (MU-W2) and Mixed -Use Cannery Village and 15th Street
(MU-CV/15th St.) zoning districts ("Code Amendment");
WHEREAS, on June 22, 2023, the Planning Commission discussed
amendments to Titles 20 and 21 to facilitate new visitor serving accommodations;
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 19,
2023, in the City Council Chambers, located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach,
California. A notice of time, place and purpose of the hearing was given in accordance
with California Government Code Section 54950 et seq. ("Ralph M. Brown Act") and
Chapter 20.62 (Public Hearings) of the NBMC. Evidence, both written and oral, was
presented to, and considered by, the Planning Commission at this hearing;
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the hearing, the Planning Commission adopted
Resolution No. PC2023-037 by a majority vote (3 ayes, 1 nay) recommending approval
of the Code Amendment to the City Council; and
ully 1 r\1
aport t5e,cn
Ordinance No. 2023-23
Page 2 of 4
WHEREAS, the City Council held duly noticed public hearing on November
28, 2023, in the City Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach,
California. A notice of time, place and purpose of the public hearing was given in
accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and Chapter 20.62 (Public Hearings) of the
NBMC. Evidence, both written and oral, was presented to, and considered by, the City
Council at this public hearing.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach ordains as
follows:
Section 1: The City Council of the City of Newport Beach does hereby
approve Code Amendment No. PA2023-0116 to amend Chapter 5.95 (Short Term
Lodging Permit) and Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code as set forth in Exhibit "A," and supported by the findings set forth in Exhibit "B,"
both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
Section 3: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional such decision shall
not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The
City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance, and each
section, subsection, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 4: The City Council of the City of Newport Beach finds the introduction
and adoption of this ordinance is exempt from environmental review under the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, which states
that an activity is not subject to CEQA if "[t]he activity will not result in a direct or
reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment". The Code
Amendment would allow existing residential dwelling units in mixed -use zones to be
used as short term lodging. The Code Amendment would not authorize new
development that would result in a physical change in the environment.
n nri
Ordinance No. 2023-23
Page 3 of 4
Section 5: Except as expressly modified in this ordinance, all other sections,
subsections, terms, clauses and phrases set forth in the Newport Beach Municipal Code
shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
Section 6: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this ordinance. This ordinance shall take effect upon certification of Local Coastal
Program Amendment No. PA2023-0116 by California Coastal Commission. The City
Clerk shall cause the ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be published pursuant to City
Charter Section 414.
0" 1 1 N NeW P F-t o e a cn
Ordinance No. 2023-23
Page 4 of 4
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach held on the 28th day of November 2023, and adopted on the 12th day
of December 2023, by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern O'Neill, Councilmember Avery, Councilmember Grant,
Councilmember Kleiman, Councilmember Stapleton, and Councilmember
Weigand
NAYS:
RECUSED: Mayor Blom
NOAH- BLOM, MAYOR
ATTEST:
..(671TA VLA
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY TTORNEY'S OFFICE
AA ON C. HARP JultylAttORNEY
Attachments: Exhibit A — Code Amendment No. PA2023-0116
Exhibit B — Findings in Support of Code Amendment No. PA2023-0116
' rrt L,
s a � Vw 1 �a
OW0
CODE AMENDMENT NO. PA2023-0116
Section 1: The Table of Contents of Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging
Permit) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 5.95
SHORT TERM LODGING PERMIT
Sections:
5.95.005 Purpose and Findings.
5.95.010 Definitions.
5.95.015 Properties Eligible for Short Term Lodging Permits.
5.95.020 Permit Required.
5.95.025 Agency.
5.95.030 Application for Permit.
5.95.035 Denial of Permit.
5.95.040 Filing Fee.
5.95.042 Maximum Number of Permits.
6.95.043 Transfer of Permit.
5.95.045 Conditions.
5.95.047 Violations of Permit Conditions by Transient User, Occupant or
Guest.
5.95.050
Agents and Hosting Platform Responsibilities.
5.95.055
Issuance of Administrative Subpoenas.
5.95.065
Suspensions and Revocations.
5.95.070
Permits and Fees Not Exclusive.
5.95.080 License and Permit Closure.
city 4 por tnea
Section 2: Subsection (B) of Section 5.95.005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Over a thousand dwelling units within residential zones near the City's beaches
and harbor are rented for thirty (30) consecutive days or less with the vast majority of
those rentals occurring during the summer when the demand for parking and City
services is the greatest.
Section 3: Subsection (C) of Section 5.95,005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
C. Many of the occupants of short term lodging units are permanent residents of areas
distant from Newport Beach and the City has no effective way to prevent occupants
from continuing to violate provisions of this Code and the Cal. Pen. Code relating to
noise, disturbances and disorderly conduct. The only effective way to minimize the
problems associated with occupancy of short term lodging units is to impose
responsibility on the owner of the property, either personally or through an agent, to
control the conduct of guests and occupants.
Section 4: Subsection (L) of Section 5.95.005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
L. The restrictions of this chapter are necessary to preserve the City's housing stock,
the quality and character of the City's residential neighborhoods and mixed -use areas
as well as to prevent and address the impacts on residential neighborhoods posed by
short term lodgings.
Section 5: Subsection (M) of Section 5.95.005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows:
M. With appropriate restrictions, certain mixed -use zones present an opportunity to
accommodate tourists while protecting the City's residential zones.
Section 6: Section 5.95.010 (Definitions) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A. "Accessory dwelling unit" shall have the same definition as set forth in Chapter
20.70.
B. "Agent" shall mean any person who is authorized in writing by the owner to
represent and act for an owner.
.1 v r)f � r
C. "Booking transaction" shall mean any reservation or payment service provided by a
person who facilitates a short term lodging rental transaction between a transient user
and owner for the use of a unit for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less.
D. "Gross floor area" shall mean the area of the lodging unit that includes the
surrounding exterior walls and any interior finished portion of a structure that is
accessible and that measures more than six (6) feet from finished floor to ceiling.
Stairwells and elevator shafts above the first (1) level shall be excluded from the
calculation of gross floor area.
E. "Home -sharing" shall mean an activity whereby the owner hosts a transient user in
the owner's lodging unit, for compensation, for periods of less than thirty (30)
consecutive calendar days, during which time the owner of the unit lives on site, in the
unit, throughout the transient user's stay and the owner, the transient user and any
other occupants live together in the same unit as a single housekeeping unit.
F. "Hosting platform" shall mean a person, other than an owner or agent, who
participates in the short term lodging business by facilitating a booking transaction using
any medium of facilitation.
G. "Lodging unit" or "unit" shall mean a "dwelling unit" as that term is defined in
Chapter 20.70. An accessory dwelling unit shall not be considered a lodging unit or unit
for purposes of this chapter.
H. "Multi -use area" shall mean those areas of the City designated by Title 20 and Title
21 as Mixed -Use Water (MU-W2) and Mixed -Use Cannery Village and 15th Street (MU-
CV/15th St.).
I. "Owner" shall mean the person(s) that hold(s) legal and/or equitable title to the
lodging unit.
K. "Residential district" shall mean those areas of the City so designated by Title 20 as
well as any other area in the City designated for a residential use as part of a planned
community development plan, specific area plan or planned residential district.
J. "Short term" shall mean a lodging unit that is rented or leased as a single
housekeeping unit for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less. This also includes
home -sharing.
L. "Short term lodging unit registry" shall mean the published registry maintained by
the City that sets forth a list of all owners and the address of all units that have a valid
short term lodging permit and business license with the City, a copy of which is
available, without charge, to any person who requests a copy and which shall be
accessible on the City's website.
M. "Single housekeeping unit" shall have the same definition as set forth in Chapter
20.70.
N. "Transient" or "transient user" shall mean any person or persons who, for any
period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less either at his or her own expense, or at the
expense of another, obtains lodging in a lodging unit or the use of any lodging space in
any unit, for which lodging or use of lodging space a charge is made.
Section 7: The title and contents of Section 5.95.015 (Residential Properties
Eligible for Short Term Lodging Permits) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code are
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.015 Properties Eligible for Short Term Lodging Permits.
Only properties in a residential district or multi -use area that are authorized under Titles
20 and 21 and this chapter shall be eligible for a short term lodging permit.
Subsequent to June 1, 2004, no annual permit shall be issued to or renewed for any
dwelling unit on any parcel zoned for "Single -Unit Residential (R-1)" or that is
designated for a single-family residential use as part of a planned community
development plan, specific area plan or planned residential district, unless a permit has
previously been issued for that lodging unit and the permit was not subsequently
revoked.
Section 8: Section 5.95.020 (Permit Required) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.020 Permit Required.
No owner of a lodging unit shall advertise for rent or rent a lodging unit located within a
residential district or multi -use area for a short term without a valid short term lodging
permit for that unit issued pursuant to this chapter.
Section 9: Section 5.95.030 (Application for Permit) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.030 Application for Permit.
An application for an annual short term lodging permit, renewal of a short term lodging
permit, reinstatement of a short term lodging permit or transfer of a short term lodging
permit shall be filed with the Finance Director upon forms provided by the City.
A. An application for a new permit, renewal permit, the reinstatement of a permit or
the transfer of a permit shall contain the following information:
1. The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the unit for which
the short term lodging permit is to be issued.
2. The name, address and telephone number of the agent, if any, of the owner
of the unit.
gp
O
'•A,zg_� ii� xY
'^�e�" 8
N 'R, �ba ?d Yfi�
Yi �a
1v R _ `b' -
3. Evidence of a valid business license issued by the City for the separate
business of operating a short term lodging unit or units.
4. The number of bedrooms in the lodging unit.
5. The gross floor area of the lodging unit.
6. The number of parking spaces available on site and a description indicating
the location and size of each parking space.
7. A nuisance response plan, which sets forth the owner's plan for handling
disruptive transient users.
8. A certification that the applicant has reviewed the covenants, conditions and
restrictions, if any, and a short term use is permitted at the location pursuant to
the terms of the covenants, conditions and restrictions, if any.
9. Acknowledgment of receipt and inspection of a copy of all regulations
pertaining to the operation of a short term lodging unit.
10. Such other information as the Finance Director deems reasonably
necessary to administer this chapter.
B. An application for the renewal of a short term lodging permit shall be filed within
thirty (30) days of the short term lodging permit's expiration, or the short term lodging
permit shall be deemed abandoned.
C. An application for the reinstatement of a short term lodging permit closed by the
Finance Director pursuant to Section 5.95.080 shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the
date the permit was closed by the Finance Director, or the short term lodging permit
shall be deemed abandoned.
D. An application for the reinstatement of a previously suspended short term lodging
permit shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the end of the suspension period, or the
short term lodging permit shall be deemed abandoned.
E. If any application is deemed incomplete, which shall be determined in the sole
discretion of the Finance Director, the application shall be completed within thirty (30)
days of the service of notice that the application is incomplete, which shall be served in
accordance with Section 1.08.080, or the application and any associated permit shall be
deemed abandoned.
F. If good causes exist, as determined in the sole discretion of the Finance Director,
the Finance Director may extend the deadlines set forth in subsections (B) through (E)
of this section.
LLoi r wpcWk, beam
Section 10: Section 5.95.035 (Denial of Permit) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code is amended to read as follows:
5.95.035 Denial of Permit.
If permits are available for issuance, no timely application filed by an owner for an
annual permit, renewal of a permit, reinstatement of a permit or transfer of a permit for a
unit eligible to be used as a short term lodging unit, as provided for in Section 5.95.015
and this Code, shall be denied unless: the owner does not have a current valid business
license; the owner has failed to pay transient occupancy tax, the visitor service fee, a
penalty, a fine or inspection cost, due and owing to the City; the nuisance response plan
is deemed inadequate by the Finance Director; the short term lodging permit for the
same unit and issued to the same owner has been revoked, or the short term lodging
permit is not eligible for reinstatement.
Section 11: Section 5.95.042 (Maximum Number of Permits) of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.042 Maximum Number of Permits.
A. Except as provided in subsection (B), the maximum number of short term lodging
permits in a residential district shall be limited to one thousand four hundred seventy-
five (1,475) permits at any time. If there are more than one thousand four hundred
seventy-five (1,475) valid permits in residential districts as of January 13, 2022, an
owner shall be permitted to renew, reinstate, or transfer a valid permit in accordance
with the provisions of this chapter; however, no new permit shall be issued to any
person on the waiting list, as described in subsection (F) of this section, until the total
number of residential district permits does not exceed one thousand four hundred
seventy-five (1,475). To avoid wholesale conversion of existing and new housing
complexes into short term lodgings within the residential district, multi -unit
developments with five (5) or more units may permit a maximum of twenty (20) percent
of the total number of units to be short term lodgings (rounded down to the nearest
whole number).
B. The maximum number of short term lodging permits in the multi -use area shall
be limited to seventy-five (75) permits. No new permit shall be issued to any person on
the waiting list, as described in subsection (F) of this section, until the total number of
multi -use area permits is less than seventy-five (75). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
seventy-five (75) permit maximum shall not apply to a short term lodging unit that was
legally established as of November 25, 2010, on a lot within a Mixed -Use Coastal
Zoning District provided the owner maintains a valid short term lodging permit that is not
subsequently revoked or abandoned.
C. For purposes of calculating the maximum number of short term lodging permits
available as provided in subsection (A) or (B) of this section, a permit shall be deemed
valid and unavailable unless abandoned in accordance with Sections 5.95.030(B)
through (F), and/or Section 5.95.043(B) or, if the short term lodging permit has been
revoked and the time has run to seek administrative or judicial review of the decision.
D. An owner who has a short term lodging permit, or an owner seeking to reinstate a
short term lodging permit that has not been abandoned in accordance with Sections
5.95.030(B) through (F), shall have priority to renew or reinstate the permit over anyone
on the waiting list, as described in subsection (F) of this section.
E. An owner seeking to transfer a valid short term lodging permit that files an
application within the time frames set forth in Section 5.95.043(A) shall have priority to
transfer the permit over anyone on the waiting list, as described in subsection (F) of this
section.
F. If the City has issued the maximum number of permits available, the City shall
maintain a waiting list. An application for placement on the waiting list shall be submitted
to the Finance Director, on a form approved by the Finance Director, and shall be
accompanied by a fee established by resolution of the City Council. In the event a short
term lodging permit becomes available, the Finance Director shall notify the person or
persons next in order on the waiting list as provided for in Section 1.08.080. The notice
shall specify that applications will be accepted for ten (10) days after the date of the
notice, and that failure to apply within the ten (10) day period shall result in removal of
the person or persons receiving notice from the waiting list. The City shall not be liable
for a failure to notify any person or persons on the waiting list since placement on the
list does not create any property right in any person or persons on the list nor any
contractual obligation on the part of the City.
Section 12: Subsections A(19) through A(22) of Section 5.95.045 (Conditions)
of the Newport Beach Municipal Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
19. The owner shall allow the City to inspect the short term lodging unit to confirm the
number of bedrooms, gross floor area, and number/availability of parking spaces, seven
(7) days after the City serves the owner with a request for inspection in accordance with
Section 1.08.080. If, based on the inspection, it is determined that the information
submitted to the City in accordance with Section 5.95.030 was false, in addition to any
other remedy set forth in this chapter, the owner agrees that the owner shall be liable for
the cost of conducting the inspection.
20. The owner shall provide the City with a copy of any written rental agreement(s)
and the good neighbor policy, within seven (7) days after the City serves the owner with
a notice of request for written rental agreements and the good neighbor policy in
accordance with Section 1.08.080.
21. Neither an owner nor the owner's agent shall rent, let, advertise for rent, or enter
into an agreement for the rental of any lodging unit, for less than two (2) consecutive
nights.
22. The owner shall:
a. Require every transient user and guest of the transient user to comply with all
State and local laws that regulate parking while staying at or visiting the short term
lodging unit;
. �
�
b. Require every transient user to provide the owner with the license plate
number for all vehicles which are used by the transient user or the transient user's
guest while staying at or visiting the short term lodging unit; and
C. Provide the City with the vehicle license plate number(s) for every vehicle
which was used by the transient user or the transient user's guest while staying at or
visiting the short term lodging, within seven (7) days after the City serves the owner
with a notice of request for the vehicle license plate number(s) in accordance with
Section 1.08.080.
Section 13: Section 5.95.055 (Issuance of Administrative Subpoenas) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.055 Issuance of Administrative Subpoenas.
The City Manager shall have the authority to issue and serve administrative subpoenas
to the owner, agent or hosting platform, as necessary, to obtain specific information
regarding short term rental listings located in the City, including but not limited to the
names of the persons responsible for each such listing, the address of each such listing,
the length of stay for each such listing and the price paid for each stay, to determine
whether the short term rental listing complies with this chapter. Any subpoena issued
pursuant to this section shall not require the production of information sooner than thirty
(30) days from the date of service. A person that has been served with an administrative
subpoena may seek judicial review during that thirty (30) day period. Failure to respond
to an administrative subpoena in accordance with the terms set forth therein shall be
punishable in accordance with Section 5.95.060 and the City may file a judicial action to
compel compliance with the subpoena.
Section 14: Section 5.95.060 (Violations, Penalties and Enforcement) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby deleted in its entirety.
Section 15: Subsection A(3) of Section 5.95.065 (Suspensions and
Revocations) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
3. If a lodging unit that is subject to a short term lodging permit has been the location
of two (2) or more loud or unruly gatherings, as defined in Chapter 10.66, while the
lodging unit was occupied on a short term basis, within any twenty-four (24) month
period, the permit may be suspended for a period of one (1) year or revoked in
accordance with subsection (B) of this section. A loud or unruly gathering that occurred
prior to the passage of fourteen (14) days from the mailing of notice to the owner in
compliance with Section 10.66.030(D) shall not be included within the calculation of the
two (2) or more loud or unruly gatherings required to revoke a short term lodging permit.
f
nf "".��
m
Section 16: Subsection (B) of Section 5,95.065 (Suspensions and Revocations)
of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Permits shall be suspended or revoked, only in the manner provided in this section.
1. The Finance Director shall investigate whenever he or she has reason to
believe that an owner has submitted an application that contains false information or
committed a violation of a permit condition, this Code, state or federal law related to
a permitted unit. Such investigation may include, but is not limited to, on -site
property inspections. Should the investigation reveal substantial evidence to support
a finding that warrants a suspension or revocation of the short term lodging permit,
the Finance Director shall issue written notice of intention to suspend or revoke the
short term lodging permit. The written notice shall be served on the owner in
accordance with Section 1.08.080, and shall specify the facts which, in the opinion
of the Finance Director constitute substantial evidence to establish grounds for
imposition of the suspension and/or revocation, and specify the proposed time the
short term lodging permit shall be suspended and/or that the short term lodging
permit shall be revoked within thirty (30) days from the date the notice is given,
unless the owner files with the Finance Director, before the suspension and/or
revocation becomes effective, a request for hearing before a hearing officer, who
shall be retained by the City, and pays the fee for the hearing established by
resolution of the City Council.
2. If the owner requests a hearing and pays the hearing fee, established by
resolution of the City Council, within the time specified in subsection (13)(1) of this
section, the Finance Director shall serve written notice on the owner, pursuant to
Section 1.08.080, setting forth the date, time and place for the hearing. The hearing
shall be scheduled not less than fifteen (15) days, nor more than sixty (60) days,
from the date on which notice of the hearing is served by the Finance Director. The
hearing shall be conducted according to the rules normally applicable to
administrative hearings. At the hearing, the hearing officer will preside over the
hearing, take evidence and then submit proposed findings and recommendations to
the City Manager. The City Manager shall suspend or revoke the short term lodging
permit only upon a finding that a violation has been proven by a preponderance of
the evidence, and that the suspension or revocation is consistent with the provisions
of this section. The City Manager shall render a decision within thirty (30) days of
the hearing and the decision shall be final as to the City but subject to judicial review
pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. Section 1094.5.
Section 17: Section 5.95.080 (License and Permit Closure) of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
_r % r`_
� � lu r
5.95.080 License and Permit Closure.
A. Any owner that has ceased operating a short term lodging unit shall inform the
Finance Director in writing of the date of the last rental, and having done such, the short
term lodging permit shall be closed. The City will send a final transient occupancy tax
and visitor service fee bill, which will be due and payable thirty (30) days from the date
of the invoice.
B. The Finance Director shall close any permit that has no short term lodging activity
for a period of two (2) consecutive annual reporting periods as evidenced by the owner
and/or agent remitting zero dollars ($0.00) on the required transient occupancy tax and
visitor service fee forms or the owner/agent failing to return these forms. After any
permit closure pursuant to this subsection, the owner may reapply one (1) time for
reinstatement of the short term lodging permit which shall be processed in accordance
with Section 5.95.030, Any subsequent closure of the short term lodging permit
pursuant to this subsection shall not be eligible for reinstatement.
Section 18: Rows entitled "Visitor Accommodations, Residential" and "Short
Term Lodging" are hereby added to the "Residential Uses" section of Table 2-8
(Allowed Uses) of Section 20.22.020(C) (Mixed -Use Zoning Districts Land Uses and
Permit Requirements) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to read as follows:
Mixed -Use Zoning Districts
Permit Requirements
P
Permitted by Right
TABLE 2-8
Conditional Use Permit (Section
ALLOWED USES AND
CUP
20.52.020)
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
MUP
Minor Use Permit (Section 20.52.020)
LTP
Limited Term Permit (Section 20.52.040)
—
Not Allowed
Land Use
See Part 7 of this title for
MU-MM
MU-
Specific
land use definitions.
MU-V
(6)
MU-DW
CV/15th
Use
See Chapter 20.12 for
St. (7)
Regulations
unlisted uses.
Residential Uses
Accessory Dwelling Units and
P
P
P
P
Section
Junior Accessory Dwelling
20,48.200
Units
:t &o . '. � t B
n
Mixed -Use Zoning Districts
Permit Requirements
P
Permitted by Right
TABLE 2-8
Conditional Use Permit (Section
ALLOWED USES AND
CUP
20.52.020)
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
MUP
Minor Use Permit (Section 20.52.020)
LTP
Limited Term Permit (Section 20.52.040)
—
Not Allowed
Land Use
See Part 7 of this title for
MU-MM
MU-
Specific
land use definitions.
MU-V
(6)
MU-DW
CV/15th
Use
See Chapter 20.12 for
St. (7)
Regulations
unlisted uses.
Single -Unit Dwellings
Located on 1 st floor
—
—
—
P (3)
Section
20.48.130
Located above 1 st floor
P (1)
—
—
P (3)
Section
20.48.130
Multi -Unit Dwellings
Located on 1 st floor
—
P (1)(2)
P (1)
P (3)
Section
20.48.130
Located above 1 st floor
P (1)
P (1)(2)
P (1)
P (3)
Section
20.48.130
Two -Unit Dwellings
Located on 1 st floor
—
—
—
P (3)
Section
20.48.130
Located above 1 st floor
P (1)
—
—
P (3)
Section
20.48.130
Home Occupations
P
P (1)
P
P
Section
20.48.130
Live -Work Units
P
P (1)(2)
P
P (3)
Visitor Accommodations, Residential
Short Term Lodging
—
—
—
P
Chapter
5.95
Section 19: Rows entitled "Visitor Accommodations, Residential" and "Short
Term Lodging" are hereby added to the "Residential Uses" section of Table 2-9
A 9_ _
� Y OT Newoon,neacn,,
(Allowed Uses) of Section 20.22.020(C) (Mixed -Use Zoning Districts Land Uses and
Permit Requirements) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to read as follows:
Mixed -Use Zoning Districts
Permit Requirements
P
Permitted by Right
CUP
Conditional Use Permit
TABLE 2-9
(Section 20.52.020)
ALLOWED USES AND PERMIT
REQUIREMENTS
Minor Use Permit (Section
MUP
20.52.020)
Limited Term Permit
LTP
(Section 20.52.040)
—
Not allowed
Land Use
See Part 7 of this title for land
Specific Use
use definitions.
MU-W1 (5)(6)
MU-W2
Regulations
See Chapter 20.12 for unlisted
uses.
Residential Uses
Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior
P
P
Section
Accessory Dwelling Units
20.48.200
Single -Unit Dwellings
Located on 1 st floor
—
—
Located above 1 st floor
P (1)
P (2)
Section
20,48.130
Multi -Unit Dwellings
Located on 1 st floor
—
—
Located above 1 st floor
P (1)
P (2)
Section
20.48.130
Two -Unit Dwellings
Located on 1 st floor
—
—
Located above 1 st floor
P (1)
P (2)
Home Occupations
P
P (2)
Section
20.48.110
Visitor Accommodations, Residential
Short Term Lodging
—
P
Chapter 5.95
n nM=1w
��µ .
Section 20: Subsection A(3)(f) of Section 20.38.060 (Nonconforming Parking)
of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
f. Outside the coastal zone, dwellings within the residential development shall not be
rented for periods of thirty (30) days or less. Refer to subsection (A)(4)(f) of this section
for short term lodging allowances for developments within the coastal zone; and
Section 21: Subsection B(4)(h) of Section 20.48.205 (SB 9 Housing
Developments and Urban Lot Splits in Single -Unit Residential Zoning Districts) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
h. Short Term Lodging. Any dwelling unit permitted pursuant to an SB 9 housing
development or urban lot split shall not be rented for periods of thirty (30) days or less.
Section 22: The definition of "Bed and breakfast inn" of Section 20.70.020
(Definitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"Bed and breakfast inn" means a dwelling unit that offers guest rooms or suites for a fee
for thirty (30) days or less, with incidental eating and drinking service provided from a
single kitchen for guests only.
Section 23: The title and definition of "Short-term lodging" of Section 20.70.020
(Definitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows:
"Short term lodging" means a dwelling unit that is rented or leased as a single
housekeeping unit (see "Single housekeeping unit") for a period of less (30) days or
less, subject to the requirements of Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permits) and any
additional standards required by the City Manager.
m
unv ai- r4 ewi rt t5 e c;,
EXHIBIT "B"
FINDINGS IN SUPPORT OF CODE AMENDMENT NO. PA2023-0116
1. An amendment to Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit) and Title 20 (Planning
and Zoning) of the NBMC is a legislative act. There are no required findings for either
approval or denial of such amendments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Code
Amendment is consistent with the following goals and policies of the City's General
Plan:
Land Use Element Policy LU 2.6 (Visitor Serving Uses), which states, "Provide uses
that serve visitors to Newport Beach's ocean, harbor, open spaces, and other
recreational assets, while integrating them to protect neighborhoods and residents."
The Code Amendment would allocate and allow 75 short term lodging permits within
the MU-W2 and MU-CV/15th St. zones, both of which are located in the Coastal Zone,
subject to specific regulations that would require the operation of short-term lodging
would be subject to a permit issued by the City, managed by professional
management, and not impact parking in the neighborhood. The Code Amendment
would also maintain the existing Citywide maximum cap of 1,550 permits by
establishing a maximum cap of 1,475 permit with residential coastal zoning districts
and a maximum cap of 75 permit within the MU-W2 and MU-CV/15th St. coastal
zoning districts. This would maintain the existing allowance for this type of visitor
accommodations in the additional visitor accommodations in the City without altering
existing provisions and regulations on short term lodging previously adopted to protect
residential neighborhoods.
Land Use Element Goal LU 4 states, "Management of growth and change to protect
and enhance the livability of neighborhoods and achieve distinct and economically vital
business and employment districts, which are correlated with supporting infrastructure
and public services and sustain Newport Beach's natural setting." In specific mixed use
zones, permit holders would be permitted to operate short term lodging. This provides
additional opportunities for properties in the mixed -use zones to achieve and maintain
economic viability and avoids new impacts on residential neighborhoods.
2. A Local Coastal Program Amendment is also underway to ensure the regulations
within the Coastal Zone are consistent with the Code Amendment.
_�r� '.
��a t
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE ss.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH 4
I, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that the
whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing ordinance, being Ordinance
No. 2023-23 was duly introduced on the 2801 day of November, 2023, at a regular meeting, and adopted by
the City Council at a regular meeting duly held on the 121h day of December, 2023, and that the same was
so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Will O'Neill, Councilmember Brad Avery, Councilmember
Robyn Grant, Councilmember Lauren Kleiman, Councilmember Joe Stapleton,
Councilmember Erik Weigand
NAYS: None
RECUSED: Mayor Noah Blom
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said
City this 13t" day of December, 2023.
"Ad-l-AA
Leilani I. Brown, MMC�
City Clerk
City of Newport Beach, California
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
I, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that
Ordinance No. 2023-23 has been duly and regularly published according to law and the order of the City
Council of said City and that same was so published in The Daily Pilot, a newspaper of general circulation
on the following dates:
Introduced Ordinance: December 2, 2023
Adopted Ordinance: December 16, 2023
In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this p day of December, 2023.
A"r�.+,-,--
Leilani I. Brown, IVIMC
City Clerk
City of Newport Beach, California
EXHIBIT "B"
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-4
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-4
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION 1.08.120 (DEFINITIONS) OF TITLE 1 (GENERAL
PROVISIONS), SECTION 5.95.042 (MAXIMUM NUMBER
OF PERMITS), SECTION 5.95.043 (TRANSFER OF
PERMIT), AND SECTION 5.95.065 (SUSPENSIONS AND
REVOCATIONS) OF CHAPTER 5.95 (SHORT TERM
LODGING PERMIT) OF TITLE 5 (BUSINESS LICENSES
AND REGULATIONS) OF THE NEWPORT BEACH
MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEDURES RELATED TO GOOD CAUSE
DETERMINATIONS AND THE EXTENSION OF
DEADLINES
WHEREAS, Section 200 of the City Charter, of the City of Newport Beach
("City"), vests the City Council with the authority to make and enforce all laws, rules and
regulations with respect to municipal affairs subject only to the restrictions and
limitations contained in the City Charter and the State Constitution, and the power to
exercise, or act pursuant to any and all rights, powers, and privileges or procedures
granted or prescribed by any law of the State of California;
WHEREAS, the City is committed to ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of
all its residents, visitors, and businesses;
WHEREAS, Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code ("NBMC"), regulates the rental of dwelling units, for less than thirty (30)
consecutive calendar days, to help preserve the City's housing stock, maintain the
quality and character of the City's residential neighborhoods, and limit the impacts of
short term lodgings on residential neighborhoods;
WHEREAS, Section 5.95.042 (Maximum Number of Permits), which imposes a
limit on the number of active short term lodging permits, Section 5.95.043 (Transfer of
Permit), which imposes limits on the transfer of short term lodging permits, and Section
5.95.065 (Suspensions and Revocations), which sets forth the applicable procedures for
the suspension and revocation of short term lodging permits, contain fixed deadlines
that cannot be extended;
WHEREAS, as part of the administration of the short term lodging permit
program, the Finance Director has determined that, in certain circumstances, good
cause may exist to extend deadlines for the transfer of permits or the filing of a request
for hearing;
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 2 of 11
WHEREAS, to ensure that the short term lodging permit provisions of the NBMC
are administered in the most fair and efficient manner, the Finance Director requests the
City Council amend Section 5.95.042 (Maximum Number of Permits), Section 5.95.043
(Transfer of Permit), and Section 5.95.065 (Suspensions and Revocations) to authorize
the Finance Director to extend deadlines if the Finance Director determines that there is
good cause to grant an extension;
WHEREAS, several sections throughout the NBMC provide exceptions from the
provisions of the NBMC based on a determination that good cause exists, such that
adding a globally applicable definition for good cause will provide consistency and
minimize redundancy;
WHEREAS, Chapter 1.08 (Rules of Construction) sets forth provisions that are
globally applicable throughout the NBMC, including but not limited to, Section 1.08.120
(Definitions) which defines terms that are commonly used throughout the NBMC, except
where a more specific definition is provided or the context clearly requires otherwise;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend the NBMC to increase efficiency
and ensure that the NBMC is administered in an efficient and fair manner by adding a
global definition of good cause to Section 1.08.120 (Definitions), and by amending
Section 5.95.042 (Maximum Number of Permits), Section 5.95.043 (Transfer of Permit),
and Section 5.95.065 (Suspensions and Revocations) to authorize the Finance Director
to grant an extension where the Finance Director determines goods cause exists.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach ordains as
follows:
Section 1: Section 1,08.120 (Definitions) is hereby amended in its entirely to
read as follows:
1.08.120 Definitions.
Unless a more specific definition is provided or the context in which they are
used clearly requires otherwise, the following terms and phrases used in this
Code shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section:
Assistant City Manager. The term "Assistant City Manager" means an Assistant
City Manager working in the City Manager's office.
+�
�� / ref �` A/r- P�
N - 2 `a��:.n=`
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 3 of 11
Building Official. The term "Building Official" means the Building Manager or
Chief Building Official of the City's Community Development Department or the
person designated by the Community Development Director as the Building
Official.
California Code of Regulations. The terms "California Code of Regulations" or
"CCR" means the State administrative regulations that are cited as "title number
CCR section number" or "title number CCR division number, chapter number,
article number, section number."
California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA. The term "California
Environmental Quality Act" or "CEQA" means the California Environmental
Quality Act (California Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) and the
State CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR Section 15000 et seq.).
Chief of Police. The term "Chief of Police" or "Police Chief' means the individual
who manages and directs the City's Police Department.
City. The term "City" means the City of Newport Beach, a municipal corporation
and charter city, or, when referring to territory or territorial limits, it means the
area within the territorial City limits of the City and such territory outside the City
over which the City has jurisdiction or control by virtue of any law.
City Attorney. The term "City Attorney" means the City Council appointed official
who occupies the position as the City Attorney of the City.
City Charter. The term "City Charter" means the City Charter of the City.
City Clerk. The term "City Clerk" means the City Council appointed official who
occupies the position as the City Clerk of the City.
City Council. The term "City Council" or "Council" means the City Council of the
City of Newport Beach.
City Engineer. The term "City Engineer" means the City Engineer of the City's
Public Works Department, or the individual designated by the Public Works
Director as the City Engineer.
C t - - V 1�
Of
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 4 of 11
City Hall or Civic Center. The term "City Hall" or "Civic Center" means the City's
Civic Center located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California, that
includes most administrative offices of the City and related parking.
City Manager. The term "City Manager" means the City Council appointed official
who occupies the position as the chief administrative officer of the City.
City Treasurer. The term "City Treasurer" means the individual appointed as the
City's Finance Director.
Code. The term "Code" means the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
Community Development Director. The term "Community Development Director"
means the individual who manages and directs the City's Community
Development Department.
Consumer Price Index. The term "Consumer Price Index" means the Los
Angeles -Long Beach -Anaheim, California Area, All Urban Consumers, All Items,
Base Period (1982-84 = 100), or successor index, as published by the United
States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
County. The term "County" means the County of Orange.
Day. The term "day" or "days" means a calendar day, unless otherwise
specifically provided.
Day Care Center. The term "day care center" means a child care —infant center,
and child care center (preschool) licensed by the State Department of Social
Services that is not located on a residentially zoned property including, but not
limited to, Bright Horizons at Newport Beach; Carden Hall; Catalyst Kids -Newport
Heights; Christ Church by the Sea Children's Center; Environmental Nature
Center (ENC) Nature Preschool; Miraculous Milestones; Montessori Way
Learning Center, Inc., Newport Coast Child Development Preschool; Newport
Harbor Lutheran Church; St. Andrew's Preschool; St. Mark Community
Preschool; St. Matthew's Montessori Preschool; Temple Bat Yahm; and Tutor
Time Child Care/Learning Center.
Designee. The term "designee" means a position, employee, or person that is
authorized to fulfill a duty, obligation or responsibility.
R
iewnnn a,
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 5of11
District Attorney. The term "District Attorney" means the Orange County District
Attorney.
Fair Political Practices Commission. The term "Fair Political Practices
Commission" or "FPPC" means the five -member independent, nonpartisan
commission that has primary responsibility for the impartial and effective
administration of the Political Reform Act.
Finance Director. The term "Finance Director" means the individual who
manages and directs the City's Finance Department.
Fire Chief. The term "Fire Chief' means the individual who manages and directs
the Fire Department.
Fire Marshal. The term "Fire Marshal" means the Fire Marshal of the City's Fire
Department, or the individual designated by the Fire Chief as the Fire Marshal.
Good Cause. The term "good cause" means that there is substantial evidence
that unusual or unforeseen circumstances justify the taking of a particular action,
which circumstances include, but are not limited to, a medical emergency; a
delay caused by events beyond the person's control; a natural disaster; a
weather -related delay; an administrative error; or health and safety concerns.
Harbor Commission. The term "Harbor Commission" means the Harbor
Commission of the City.
Harbor Department. The term "Harbor Department" means the Harbor
Department of the City. Any provision within this Code or any uncodified
ordinance or resolution referring to the Harbor Resources Division shall mean the
Harbor Department.
Harbormaster. The term "Harbormaster" means the individual who manages and
directs the Harbor Department. Any provision within this Code or any uncodified
ordinance or resolution referring to the Harbor Resources Manager shall mean
the Harbormaster.
Health Officer. The term "Health Officer" means the Orange County Health
Officer.
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 6 of 11
Human Resources Director. The term "Human Resources Director" means the
individual who manages and directs the City's Human Resources Department.
Library Services Director. The term "Library Services Director" means the
individual who manages and directs the City's Public Library System.
Oath. The term "oath" means and includes affirmation.
Office. The term "office" means the title of any officer, employee, or office, of the
City of Newport Beach.
Owner. The term "owner," applied to a building or land, means and includes any
part owner, joint owner, tenant, tenant in common or joint tenant, of the whole or
a part of such building or land.
Pacific Ocean. The term "Pacific Ocean" means the waters off of the City from
the beach to a point three nautical miles seaward.
Person. The term "person" means and includes any individual, firm, partnership,
joint venture, limited liability company, association, social club, fraternal
organization, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, assignee for the
benefit of creditors, trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, syndicate, the United States,
this State, any county, city and county, municipality, district, or other political
subdivision of the State, or any other group or combination acting as a unit.
Public park or public facility. The terms "public park" or "park facility" means all
publicly owned, managed or leased land that is open to the public, walking or
hiking trails, parks and park -related buildings, facilities and improvements, and
any school facilities when they are in use as recreational or community center
facilities and under the control of the Director of the Recreation and Senior
Services Department including, but not limited to, Arroyo Park; 38th Street Park;
Back Bay View Park; Bayside Park; Bayview Park; Begonia Park; Big Canyon
Park; Bob Henry Park; Bolsa Park; Bonita Canyon Sports Park; Bonita Creek
Park & Community Center; Buffalo Hills Park; Canyon Watch Park; Carroll Beek
Community Center and Balboa Island Park; Castaways Park; Channel Place
Park; Civic Center Community Center; Civic Center Park; Cliff Drive Park and
Community Center; Coastal Peak Park; Corona del Mar Pocket Park, Corona del
Mar State Beach; Dog Park; Eastbluff Park and Boys and Girls Club; Galaxy
.4-N m
�C a -"
yN '� h
'�'S�Yi.,b `Nt#+' 8 '� 'erd' °H `? hPrt� i 3a� s*t+• "A¢0 "-A
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 7 of 11
View Park; Gateway Park; Grant Howald Park & Community Youth Center;
Harbor View Nature Park; Harbor Watch Park; Inspiration Point; Irvine Terrace
Park; Jasmine Creek Park; John Wayne Park and Theater Arts Center; Kings
Road Park; L Street Park; Lake Ave Park; Lido Park; Lincoln Athletic Center;
Lookout Point; Los Trancos Canyon View Park (lower, middle, upper); Lower
Castaways Park; M Street Park; Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center; Marina Park;
Mariners Park and VJ Community Center; Mesa Birch Park; Miramar Park; Myrtle
Park; Newport Aquatic Center; Newport Coast Community Center; Newport
Island Park; Newport Shores Park; North Star Beach; OASIS Senior Center; Old
School Park; Peninsula Park; Rhine Wharf Park; San Joaquin Hills Park and
Lawn Bowling Center; San Miguel Park; Spyglass Hill Park; Spyglass Hill
Reservoir Park; Sunset Ridge Park; Sunset View Park; Upper Buck Gully
Reserve; Uptown Park; Veterans Memorial Park; West Jetty View Park; West
Newport Community Center; West Newport Park; and Westcliff Park.
Public Works Director. The term "Public Works Director" means the individual
who manages and directs the City's Public Works Department.
Recreation and Senior Services Director. The term "Recreation and Senior
Services Director" means the individual who manages and directs the City's
Recreation and Senior Services Department.
Revenue Division. The term "Revenue Division" means the City's Finance
Department Revenue Division.
Risk Manager. The term "Risk Manager" means the Risk Manager of the City's
Human Resources Department, or the individual appointed by the Human
Resources Director as the Risk Manager.
School. The term "school" means an institution of learning, whether public or
private, which offers in -person instruction in grades K through twelve (12) in
those courses of study required by the California Education Code and is licensed
by the State Board of Education. This definition includes all kindergarten,
elementary, junior high, senior high or any special institution of learning under the
jurisdiction of the State Department of Education including, but not limited to,
Andersen Elementary School; Carden Hall; Corona del Mar Middle and High
School; Eastbluff Elementary School; Ensign Intermediate School; Harbor Day
School; Harbor View Preschool and Elementary School; Lincoln Elementary
School; Mariners Elementary School; Newport Christian Academy; Newport
(3 0
f ir
a*
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 8 of 11
Coast Preschool and Elementary School; Newport Preschool and Elementary
School; Newport Harbor High School; Newport Heights Elementary School; Our
Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School; Pacifica Christian High School; and Sage
Hill High School.
State. The term "State" means the State of California.
Street. The term "street" means and includes all streets, roads, highways,
avenues, lanes, alleys, courts, boulevards, places, squares, curbs, or other
public ways in this City, which have been or may hereafter be dedicated and
open to public use, or such other public property so designated in any law of this
State.
Tenant, Occupant. The term "tenant" or "occupant" applied to a building or land
means and includes any person who occupies the whole or part of such building
or land, whether alone or with others.
Utilities Director. The term "Utilities Director" means the individual who manages
and directs the City's Utilities Department.
Section 2: Subsection (D) of Section 5.95.042 (Maximum Number of Permits)
of the NBMC is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
D. If the City has issued the maximum number of permits available, the City
shall maintain a waiting list. An application for placement on the waiting list shall
be submitted to the Finance Director, on a form approved by the Finance
Director, and shall be accompanied by a fee established by resolution of the City
Council. In the event a short term lodging permit becomes available, the Finance
Director shall notify the person or persons next in order on the waiting list. The
notice shall specify that applications will be accepted for ten (10) calendar days
after the date of the notice, and that failure to apply within the ten (10) calendar -
day period shall result in removal of the person or persons receiving notice from
the waiting list. The Finance Director may extend the deadline to apply if the
Finance Director determines that good cause has been shown to extend the
deadline. Notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States
mail, with the first-class postage prepaid, and addressed as specified by the
person or persons on the waiting list. The City shall not be liable for a failure to
notify any person or persons on the waiting list since placement on the list does
(" 't NJ P %i n n
t k"i'
a3 9 4 A� U V 'a 6
I
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 9 of 11
not create any property right in any person or persons on the list nor any
contractual obligation on the part of the City.
Section 3: Subsection (B) of Section 5.95.043 (Transfer of Permit) of the
NBMC is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
B. The deadlines set forth in subsection (A) of this section are established for
purposes of setting deadlines for the transfer of a valid permit that has not been
deemed abandoned in accordance with Sections 5.95.030 (B) through (F). The
deadlines set forth in subsection (A) of this section shall not extend the deadlines
set forth in or in accordance with Sections 5.95.030 (B) through (F). Authorization
to transfer a valid short term lodging permit shall be deemed waived and the
permit abandoned if an application is not filed to transfer a permit in accordance
with the deadlines set forth in subsection (A), unless the Finance Director
determines that good cause has been shown for extending the deadline.
Section 4: Subsection (B) (1) of Section 5.95.065 (Suspensions and
Revocations) of the NBMC is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
B. Permits shall be suspended or revoked, only in the manner provided in
this section.
1. The Finance Director shall investigate whenever he or she has reason
to believe that an owner has submitted an application that contains false
information or committed a violation of a permit condition, this Code, state or
federal law related to a permitted unit. Such investigation may include, but is not
limited to, on -site property inspections. Should the investigation reveal
substantial evidence to support a finding that warrants a suspension or
revocation of the short term lodging permit, the Finance Director shall issue
written notice of intention to suspend or revoke the short term lodging permit. The
written notice shall be served on the owner in accordance with Section 1.08.080,
and shall specify the facts which, in the opinion of the Finance Director constitute
substantial evidence to establish grounds for imposition of the suspension and/or
revocation, and specify the proposed time the short term lodging permit shall be
suspended and/or that the short term lodging permit shall be revoked within thirty
(30) calendar days from the date the notice is given, unless the owner files with
the Finance Director, before the suspension or revocation becomes effective, a
request for hearing before a hearing officer, who shall be retained by the City,
and pays the fee for the hearing established by resolution of the City Council.
IT." f'� �oa h
Ordinance No, 2025-4
Page 10 of 11
Subject to subsection (E), failure to file a timely request for a hearing and pay all
applicable fees shall result in the suspension or revocation of the permit.
Section 5: Subsection (E) is hereby added to Section 5.95.065 (Suspensions
and Revocations) of the NBMC and shall read as follows:
E. The Finance Director may extend the deadlines set forth in this section if the
Finance Director determines that good cause has been shown to extend the
deadline.
Section 6: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
Section 7: The Finance Director is hereby authorized to retroactively extend
deadlines as provided in Sections 2 through 5 of this ordinance upon a determination by
the Finance Director that good cause has been shown to do so.
Section 8: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not
affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The
City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each section,
subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 9: The City Council finds the introduction and adoption of this
ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant
to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable
indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a
project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of
Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in
physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Section 10: Except as expressly modified in this ordinance, all other sections,
subsections, terms, clauses and phrases set forth in the NBMC shall remain unchanged
and shall be in full force and effect.
Ordinance No. 2025-4
Page 11 of 11
Section 11: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be
published pursuant to City Charter Section 414. This ordinance shall be effective thirty
(30) calendar days after its adoption.
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Newport Beach held on the 11th day of March, 2025, and adopted on the 25th day of
March, 2025, by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES: Mayor Stapleton Mayor Pro Tern Kleiman Councilmember Barto,
Councilmember Blom, Councilmember Grant, Councilmember
Weber Councilmember Weigand
NAYS: None
JOE STAPLEtTON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY TTORNEY'S OFFICE
AARON C. HARP, CITY ATTORNEY
t y N e w Tp o rt b e
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
I, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that the
whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing ordinance, being Ordinance
No. 2025-4 was duly introduced on the 'I1th day of March, 2025, at a regular meeting, and adopted by the
City Council at a regular meeting duly held on the 2501 day of March, 2025, and that the same was so
passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mayor Joe Stapleton, Mayor Pro Terri Lauren Kleiman, Councilmember Michelle Barto,
Councilmember Noah Blom, Councilmember Robyn Grant, Councilmember Sara J.
Weber, Councilmember Erik Weigand
NAYS: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said
City this 26'h day of March, 2025.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE }
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
Leilani I. Brown, MYC
City Clerk
City of Newport Beach, California
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
ss.
I, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that
Ordinance No. 2025-4 has been duly and regularly published according to law and the order of the City
Council of said City and that same was so published in the Daily Pilot, a newspaper of general circulation
on the following dates:
Introduced Ordinance: March 15, 2025
Adopted Ordinance: March 29, 2025
In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this day of April, 2025,
IC
pda� OV�7m
Leilani I. Brown, MMC
City Clerk
City of Newport Beach, California
"-aCi FOt`_
r
Q-4 q
EXHIBIT "C"
CODE AMENDMENT
Section 1: The Table of Contents of Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging
Permit) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 5.95
SHORT TERM LODGING PERMIT
Sections:
5.95.005 Purpose and Findings.
5.95.010 Definitions.
5.95.015 Properties Eligible for Short Term Lodging Permits.
5.95.020 Permit Required.
5.95.025 Agency.
5.95.030 Application for Permit.
5.95.035 Denial of Permit.
5.95.040 Filing Fee.
5.95.042 Maximum Number of Permits.
5.95.043 Transfer of Permit.
5.95.045 Conditions.
5.95.047 Violations of Permit Conditions by Transient User, Occupant or
Guest.
5.95.050
Agents and Hosting Platform Responsibilities.
5.95.055
Issuance of Administrative Subpoenas.
5.95.065
Suspensions and Revocations.
5.95.070
Permits and Fees Not Exclusive.
5.95.080
License and Permit Closure.
Section 2: Subsection (B) of Section 5.95.005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Over a thousand dwelling units within residential zones near the City's beaches
and harbor are rented for thirty (30) consecutive days or less with the vast majority of
those rentals occurring during the summer when the demand for parking and City
services is the greatest.
Section 3: Subsection (C) of Section 5.95.005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
C. Many of the occupants of short term lodging units are permanent residents of areas
distant from Newport Beach and the City has no effective way to prevent occupants
from continuing to violate provisions of this Code and the Cal. Pen. Code relating to
noise, disturbances and disorderly conduct. The only effective way to minimize the
problems associated with occupancy of short term lodging units is to impose
responsibility on the owner of the property, either personally or through an agent, to
control the conduct of guests and occupants.
Section 4: Subsection (L) of Section 5.95.005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
L. The restrictions of this chapter are necessary to preserve the City's housing stock,
the quality and character of the City's residential neighborhoods and mixed -use areas
as well as to prevent and address the impacts on residential neighborhoods posed by
short term lodgings.
Section 5: Subsection (M) of Section 5,95.005 (Purpose and Findings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows:
M. With appropriate restrictions, certain mixed -use zones present an opportunity to
accommodate tourists while protecting the City's residential zones.
Section 6: Section 5.95.010 (Definitions) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A. "Accessory dwelling unit" shall have the same definition as set forth in Chapter
20.70.
B. "Agent" shall mean any person who is authorized in writing by the owner to
represent and act for an owner.
C. "Booking transaction" shall mean any reservation or payment service provided by
a person who facilitates a short term lodging rental transaction between a transient user
and owner for the use of a unit for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less.
D. "Gross floor area" shall mean the area of the lodging unit that includes the
surrounding exterior walls and any interior finished portion of a structure that is
accessible and that measures more than six (6) feet from finished floor to ceiling.
Stairwells and elevator shafts above the first (1) level shall be excluded from the
calculation of gross floor area.
E. "Home -sharing" shall mean an activity whereby the owner hosts a transient user
in the owner's lodging unit, for compensation, for periods of less than thirty (30)
consecutive calendar days, during which time the owner of the unit lives on site, in the
unit, throughout the transient user's stay and the owner, the transient user and any
other occupants live together in the same unit as a single housekeeping unit.
F. "Hosting platform" shall mean a person, other than an owner or agent, who
participates in the short term lodging business by facilitating a booking transaction using
any medium of facilitation.
G. "Lodging unit" or "unit" shall mean a "dwelling unit" as that term is defined in
Chapter 20.70. An accessory dwelling unit shall not be considered a lodging unit or unit
for purposes of this chapter.
H. "Multi -use area" shall mean those areas of the City designated by Title 20 and
Title 21 as Mixed -Use Water (MU-W2) and Mixed -Use Cannery Village and 15t" Street
(MU- CV/15th St.).
I, "Owner" shall mean the person(s) that hold(s) legal and/or equitable title to the
lodging unit.
K. "Residential district" shall mean those areas of the City so designated by Title 20
as well as any other area in the City designated for a residential use as part of a
planned community development plan, specific area plan or planned residential district.
J. "Short term" shall mean a lodging unit that is rented or leased as a single
housekeeping unit for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less. This also includes
home -sharing.
L. "Short term lodging unit registry" shall mean the published registry maintained by
the City that sets forth a list of all owners and the address of all units that have a valid
short term lodging permit and business license with the City, a copy of which is
available, without charge, to any person who requests a copy and which shall be
accessible on the City's website.
M. "Single housekeeping unit" shall have the same definition as set forth in Chapter
20.70.
N. "Transient" or "transient user" shall mean any person or persons who, for any
period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less either at his or her own expense, or at the
expense of another, obtains lodging in a lodging unit or the use of any lodging space in
any unit, for which lodging or use of lodging space a charge is made.
Section 7: The title and contents of Section 5.95.015 (Residential Properties
Eligible for Short Term Lodging Permits) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code are
hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.015 Properties Eligible for Short Term Lodging Permits.
Only properties in a residential district or multi -use area that are authorized under Titles
20 and 21 and this chapter shall be eligible for a short term lodging permit.
Subsequent to June 1, 2004, no annual permit shall be issued to or renewed for any
dwelling unit on any parcel zoned for "Single -Unit Residential (R-1)" or that is
designated for a single-family residential use as part of a planned community
development plan, specific area plan or planned residential district, unless a permit has
previously been issued for that lodging unit and the permit was not subsequently
revoked.
Section 8: Section 5.95.020 (Permit Required) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.020 Permit Required.
No owner of a lodging unit shall advertise for rent or rent a lodging unit located within a
residential district or multi -use area for a short term without a valid short term lodging
permit for that unit issued pursuant to this chapter.
Section 9: Section 5,95.030 (Application for Permit) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.030 Application for Permit.
An application for an annual short term lodging permit, renewal of a short term lodging
permit, reinstatement of a short term lodging permit or transfer of a short term lodging
permit shall be filed with the Finance Director upon forms provided by the City.
A. An application for a new permit, renewal permit, the reinstatement of a permit or
the transfer of a permit shall contain the following information:
1. The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the unit for which
the short term lodging permit is to be issued.
2. The name, address and telephone number of the agent, if any, of the owner
of the unit.
3. Evidence of a valid business license issued by the City for the separate
business of operating a short term lodging unit or units.
4. The number of bedrooms in the lodging unit.
5. The gross floor area of the lodging unit.
6. The number of parking spaces available on site and a description indicating
the location and size of each parking space.
7. A nuisance response plan, which sets forth the owner's plan for handling
disruptive transient users.
8. A certification that the applicant has reviewed the covenants, conditions and
restrictions, if any, and a short term use is permitted at the location pursuant
to the terms of the covenants, conditions and restrictions, if any.
9. Acknowledgment of receipt and inspection of a copy of all regulations
pertaining to the operation of a short term lodging unit.
10. Such other information as the Finance Director deems reasonably necessary
to administer this chapter.
B. An application for the renewal of a short term lodging permit shall be filed within
thirty (30) days of the short term lodging permit's expiration, or the short term lodging
permit shall be deemed abandoned.
C. An application for the reinstatement of a short term lodging permit closed by the
Finance Director pursuant to Section 5.95.080 shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the
date the permit was closed by the Finance Director, or the short term lodging permit
shall be deemed abandoned.
D. An application for the reinstatement of a previously suspended short term lodging
permit shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the end of the suspension period, or the
short term lodging permit shall be deemed abandoned.
E. If any application is deemed incomplete, which shall be determined in the sole
discretion of the Finance Director, the application shall be completed within thirty (30)
days of the service of notice that the application is incomplete, which shall be served in
accordance with Section 1.08.080, or the application and any associated permit shall be
deemed abandoned.
F. If good causes exist, as determined in the sole discretion of the Finance Director,
the Finance Director may extend the deadlines set forth in subsections (B) through (E)
of this section.
Section 10: Section 5.95.035 (Denial of Permit) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code is amended to read as follows:
5.95.035 Denial of Permit.
If permits are available for issuance, no timely application filed by an owner for an
annual permit, renewal of a permit, reinstatement of a permit or transfer of a permit for a
unit eligible to be used as a short term lodging unit, as provided for in Section 5.95.015
and this Code, shall be denied unless: the owner does not have a current valid business
license; the owner has failed to pay transient occupancy tax, the visitor service fee, a
penalty, a fine or inspection cost, due and owing to the City; the nuisance response plan
is deemed inadequate by the Finance Director; the short term lodging permit for the
same unit and issued to the same owner has been revoked, or the short term lodging
permit is not eligible for reinstatement.
Section 11: Section 5.95.042 (Maximum Number of Permits) of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.042 Maximum Number of Permits.
A. The maximum number of short term lodging permits in a residential district shall be
limited to one thousand four hundred seventy-five (1,475) permits at any time. If there
are more than one thousand four hundred seventy-five (1,475) valid permits in
residential districts as of the effective date of Ordinance No. 2025-_, an owner shall be
permitted to renew, reinstate, or transfer a valid permit in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter; however, no new permit shall be issued to any person on the
waiting list, as described in subsection (G) of this section, until the total number of
residential district permits does not exceed one thousand four hundred seventy-five
(1,475). To avoid wholesale conversion of existing and new housing complexes into
short term lodgings within the residential district, multi -unit developments with five (5) or
more units may permit a maximum of twenty (20) percent of the total number of units to
be short term lodgings (rounded down to the nearest whole number).
B. The maximum number of short term lodging permits in the multi -use area shall
be limited to seventy-five (75) permits. No new permit shall be issued to any person on
the waiting list, as described in subsection (G) of this section, until the total number of
multi -use area permits is less than seventy-five (75).
C. The total number of short-term lodging permits in the City shall not exceed one
thousand five -hundred and fifty (1,550).
D. For purposes of calculating the maximum number of short term lodging permits
available as provided in subsection (A),(B), or (C) of this section, a permit shall be
deemed valid and unavailable unless abandoned in accordance with Sections
5.95.030(B) through (F), and/or Section 5.95.043(B) or, if the short term lodging permit
has been revoked and the time has run to seek administrative or judicial review of the
decision.
E. An owner who has a short term lodging permit, or an owner seeking to reinstate a
short term lodging permit that has not been abandoned in accordance with Sections
5.95.030(B) through (F), shall have priority to renew or reinstate the permit over anyone
on the waiting list, as described in subsection (G) of this section.
F. An owner seeking to transfer a valid short term lodging permit that files an
application within the time frames set forth in Section 5.95.043(A) shall have priority to
transfer the permit over anyone on the waiting list, as described in subsection (G) of this
section.
G. If the City has issued the maximum number of permits available, the City shall
maintain a separate waiting list for both the residential districts and the multi -use areas.
An application for placement on the waiting list shall be submitted to the Finance
Director, on a form approved by the Finance Director, and shall be accompanied by a
fee established by resolution of the City Council. In the event a short term lodging
permit becomes available, the Finance Director shall notify the person or persons next
in order on the waiting list. The notice shall specify that applications will be accepted for
ten (10) calendar days after the date of the notice, and that failure to apply within the ten
(10) calendar day period shall result in removal of the person or persons receiving
notice from the waiting list. The Finance Director may extend the deadline to apply if the
Finance Director determines that good cause has been shown to extend the deadline.
Notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, with the first
class postage prepaid, and addressed as specified by the person or persons on the
waiting list. The City shall not be liable for a failure to notify any person or persons on
the waiting list since placement on the list does not create any property right in any
person or persons on the list nor any contractual obligation on the part of the City.
Section 12: Subsections A(19) through A(22) of Section 5.95.045 (Conditions)
of the Newport Beach Municipal Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
19. The owner shall allow the City to inspect the short term lodging unit to confirm the
number of bedrooms, gross floor area, and number/availability of parking spaces, seven
(7) days after the City serves the owner with a request for inspection in accordance with
Section 1.08.080. If, based on the inspection, it is determined that the information
submitted to the City in accordance with Section 5.95.030 was false, in addition to any
other remedy set forth in this chapter, the owner agrees that the owner shall be liable for
the cost of conducting the inspection.
20. The owner shall provide the City with a copy of any written rental agreement(s)
and the good neighbor policy, within seven (7) days after the City serves the owner with
a notice of request for written rental agreements and the good neighbor policy in
accordance with Section 1,08.080.
21. Neither an owner nor the owner's agent shall rent, let, advertise for rent, or enter
into an agreement for the rental of any lodging unit, for less than two (2) consecutive
nights.
22. The owner shall:
a. Require every transient user and guest of the transient user to comply with all
State and local laws that regulate parking while staying at or visiting the short term
lodging unit;
b. Require every transient user to provide the owner with the license plate
number for all vehicles which are used by the transient user or the transient user's
guest while staying at or visiting the short term lodging unit; and
C. Provide the City with the vehicle license plate number(s) for every vehicle
which was used by the transient user or the transient user's guest while staying at or
visiting the short term lodging, within seven (7) days after the City serves the owner
with a notice of request for the vehicle license plate number(s) in accordance with
Section 1.08.080.
Section 13: Section 5.95.055 (Issuance of Administrative Subpoenas) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.055 Issuance of Administrative Subpoenas.
The City Manager shall have the authority to issue and serve administrative subpoenas
to the owner, agent or hosting platform, as necessary, to obtain specific information
regarding short term rental listings located in the City, including but not limited to the
names of the persons responsible for each such listing, the address of each such listing,
the length of stay for each such listing and the price paid for each stay, to determine
whether the short term rental listing complies with this chapter. Any subpoena issued
pursuant to this section shall not require the production of information sooner than thirty
(30) days from the date of service. A person that has been served with an administrative
subpoena may seek judicial review during that thirty (30) day period. Failure to respond
to an administrative subpoena in accordance with the terms set forth therein shall be
punishable in accordance with Section 5.95.060 and the City may file a judicial action to
compel compliance with the subpoena.
Section 14: Section 5.95.060 (Violations, Penalties and Enforcement) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby deleted in its entirety.
Section 15: Subsection A(3) of Section 5,95.065 (Suspensions and
Revocations) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
3. If a lodging unit that is subject to a short term lodging permit has been the location
of two (2) or more loud or unruly gatherings, as defined in Chapter 10.66, while the
lodging unit was occupied on a short term basis, within any twenty-four (24) month
period, the permit may be suspended for a period of one (1) year or revoked in
accordance with subsection (B) of this section. A loud or unruly gathering that occurred
prior to the passage of fourteen (14) days from the mailing of notice to the owner in
compliance with Section 10.66.030(D) shall not be included within the calculation of the
two (2) or more loud or unruly gatherings required to revoke a short term lodging permit.
Section 16: Subsection (B) of Section 5.95.065 (Suspensions and Revocations)
of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Permits shall be suspended or revoked, only in the manner provided in this section.
1. The Finance Director shall investigate whenever he or she has reason to believe
that an owner has submitted an application that contains false information or
committed a violation of a permit condition, this Code, state or federal law related to
a permitted unit. Such investigation may include, but is not limited to, on -site
property inspections. Should the investigation reveal substantial evidence to support
a finding that warrants a suspension or revocation of the short term lodging permit,
the Finance Director shall issue written notice of intention to suspend or revoke the
short term lodging permit. The written notice shall be served on the owner in
accordance with Section 1.08.080, and shall specify the facts which, in the opinion
of the Finance Director constitute substantial evidence to establish grounds for
imposition of the suspension and/or revocation, and specify the proposed time the
short term lodging permit shall be suspended and/or that the short term lodging
permit shall be revoked within thirty (30) days from the date the notice is given,
unless the owner files with the Finance Director, before the suspension or
revocation becomes effective, a request for hearing before a hearing officer, who
shall be retained by the City, and pays the fee for the hearing established by
resolution of the City Council. Subject to subsection (E), failure to file a timely
request for hearing and pay all applicable fees shall result in the suspension or
revocation of the permit.
2. If the owner requests a hearing and pays the hearing fee, established by
resolution of the City Council, within the time specified in subsection (B)(1) of this
section, the Finance Director shall serve written notice on the owner, pursuant to
Section 1,08.080, setting forth the date, time and place for the hearing. The hearing
shall be scheduled not less than fifteen (15) days, nor more than sixty (60) days,
from the date on which notice of the hearing is served by the Finance Director. The
hearing shall be conducted according to the rules normally applicable to
administrative hearings. At the hearing, the hearing officer will preside over the
hearing, take evidence and then submit proposed findings and recommendations to
the City Manager. The City Manager shall suspend or revoke the short term lodging
permit only upon a finding that a violation has been proven by a preponderance of
the evidence, and that the suspension or revocation is consistent with the provisions
of this section. The City Manager shall render a decision within thirty (30) days of
the hearing and the decision shall be final as to the City but subject to judicial review
pursuant to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. Section 1094.5.
Section 17: Section 5.95.080 (License and Permit Closure) of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
5.95.080 License and Permit Closure.
A. Any owner that has ceased operating a short term lodging unit shall inform the
Finance Director in writing of the date of the last rental, and having done such, the short
term lodging permit shall be closed. The City will send a final transient occupancy tax
and visitor service fee bill, which will be due and payable thirty (30) days from the date
of the invoice.
B. The Finance Director shall close any permit that has no short term lodging activity
for a period of two (2) consecutive annual reporting periods as evidenced by the owner
and/or agent remitting zero dollars ($0.00) on the required transient occupancy tax and
visitor service fee forms or the owner/agent failing to return these forms. After any
permit closure pursuant to this subsection, the owner may reapply one (1) time for
reinstatement of the short term lodging permit which shall be processed in accordance
with Section 5.95.030. Any subsequent closure of the short term lodging permit
pursuant to this subsection shall not be eligible for reinstatement.
EXHIBIT "D"
FINDINGS IN SUPPORT OF CODE AMENDMENT
1. An amendment to Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit) and Title 20 (Planning
and Zoning) of the NBMC is a legislative act. There are no required findings for either
approval or denial of such amendments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Code
Amendment is consistent with the following goals and policies of the City's General
Plan:
Land Use Element Policy LU 2.6 (Visitor Serving Uses), which states, "Provide uses
that serve visitors to Newport Beach's ocean, harbor, open spaces, and other
recreational assets, while integrating them to protect neighborhoods and residents."
The Code Amendment would allocate and allow 75 short term lodging permits within
the MU-W2 and MU-CV/15th St. zones, both of which are located in the Coastal Zone,
subject to specific regulations that would require the operation of short-term lodging
would be subject to a permit issued by the City, managed by professional
management, and not impact parking in the neighborhood. The Code Amendment
would also maintain the existing Citywide maximum cap of 1,550 permits by
establishing a maximum cap of 1,475 permit with residential coastal zoning districts
and a maximum cap of 75 permit within the MU-W2 and MU-CV/15th St. coastal
zoning districts. This would maintain the existing allowance for this type of visitor
accommodations in the additional visitor accommodations in the City without altering
existing provisions and regulations on short term lodging previously adopted to protect
residential neighborhoods.
Land Use Element Goal LU 4 states, "Management of growth and change to protect
and enhance the livability of neighborhoods and achieve distinct and economically vital
business and employment districts, which are correlated with supporting infrastructure
and public services and sustain Newport Beach's natural setting." In specific mixed use
zones, permit holders would be permitted to operate short term lodging. This provides
additional opportunities for properties in the mixed -use zones to achieve and maintain
economic viability and avoids new impacts on residential neighborhoods.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
I, Molly Perry, Interim City Clerk City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby
certify that the whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing ordinance, being
Ordinance No. 2025-15 was duly introduced on the 22nd of July, 2025, at a regular meeting, and adopted
by the City Council at a regular meeting duly held on the 26th day of August, 2025, and that the same was
so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Mayor Joe Stapleton, Councilmember Michelle Barto, Councilmember Robyn
Grant, Mayor Pro Tempore Lauren Kleiman, Councilmember Sara J. Weber,
and Councilmember Erik Weigand
NAYS: None
RECUSED: Councilmember Noah Blom
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said
City this 27th day of August 2025.
I� s �'t � .. •u
MollrPerry, MP)A, CM
Interim City Clerk `ah`
City of Newport Beach, California
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
I, Molly Perry, Interim City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that
Ordinance No. 2025-15 has been duly and regularly published according to law and the order of the City
Council of said City and that same was so published in the Daily Pilot, a newspaper of general circulation
on the following dates:
Introduced Ordinance: July 12, 2025
Adopted Ordinance: August 16, 2025
In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of August, 2025.
ang v
Molly Perry, MP I , CMC
City Clerk
City of Newport Beach, California