February 10, 2026
Agenda Item No.5
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Sean Levin, Recreation and Senior Services Director - 949-644-3151, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Matt Dingwall, Recreation Supervisor - 949-644-3152, [email protected] TITLE:
Resolution No. 2026-09: Waiving City Council Policy B-8 to Permit the Pacific Coast Triathlon on Sunday, September 13, 2026 ABSTRACT:
The Pacific Coast Triathlon is one of Southern California’s largest and longest-running triathlon events, held annually at Crystal Cove State Park and along Pacific Coast Highway since 1997. Five Point Events, the event organizer since 2017, is requesting City Council approval to waive Council Policy B-8 to allow the 2026 event to occur on September 13, 2026, which falls within the City’s summer special event restriction period. If approved, the draft resolution would waive the policy limitation and allow the event to proceed through the City’s special event permit review process, including submittal of required supplemental materials such as the race map, event schedule, and street closure plan. California State Parks has indicated it will permit use of Crystal Cove State Park for the proposed date, pending City Council action.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and Adopt Resolution No. 2026-09, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Waiving Council Policy B-8 to Permit Five Point Events to Hold the Pacific Coast Triathlon During Summer, Defined as June 15 Through September 15, on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
The Pacific Coast Triathlon is one of Southern California’s largest and longest-running triathlon events. Since its inception in 1997, the multi-stage endurance race, held at Crystal Cove State Park and on Pacific Coast Highway, has featured swimming, cycling and running. Five Point Events, an endurance race event company based in Menifee, CA, has successfully hosted the Pacific Coast Triathlon since 2017. With over 800 attendees in 2025, the event regularly generates meaningful economic impact and showcases Newport Beach as a premier destination for endurance sports.
Historically, the Pacific Coast Triathlon is held on the third Sunday in September. Due to scheduling conflicts with other regional race and walk events, Five Point Events is requesting that the City Council waive Council Policy B-8 to allow the 2026 Pacific Coast Triathlon to take place on the second Sunday of the month, September 13, 2026. Council Policy B-8 states “Races, running events, walking events and other athletic contests/ events using City public property shall not be conducted during the summer (June 15 through September 15).” If adopted, the resolution would waive Council Policy B-8 to allow the 2026 Pacific Coast Triathlon to occur during the summer, defined as June 15 through September 15, and move forward through the special event permit review process.
As part of the special event permitting process, Five Point Events is required to submit supplemental materials, including a race map, schedule of events, and list of street closures with its special event permit application for review and approval by City of Newport Beach staff. California State Parks staff have agreed to permit use of Crystal Cove State Park for the event on September 13, pending City Council approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action 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, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Letter from Pacific Coast Triathlon
Attachment B – Resolution 2026-09
Attachment C – Council Policy B-8
Resolution No. 2026-09: Waiving Council Policy B-8 to Permit Five Point Events to Hold the Pacific Coast Triathlon During Summer, Defined as June 15 Through September 15, on Sunday, September 13, 2026 February 10, 2026
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