February 24, 2026
Agenda Item No. 3
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Tara Finnigan, Assistant City Manager - 949-644-3001, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Lorig Yaghsezian, Management Analyst - 949-644-3028, [email protected] TITLE:
Ordinance No. 2026-2: Amending Various Sections of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to Address Illegal Activity During High-Risk Periods ABSTRACT:
For the City Council’s consideration is the adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-2. This ordinance amends the Newport Beach Municipal Code (NBMC) to enhance public safety during identified high-risk periods associated with increased visitor activity, including spring break and the Fourth of July. Ordinance No. 2026-2 was introduced and considered at the City Council’s regular meeting on February 10, 2026.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) 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 b) Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2026-2, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending Sections 1.04.060 (Safety Enhancement Zone) of Chapter 1.04 (Code Enforcement), Sections 5.95.045 (Conditions) and 5.95.065 (Suspensions and Revocations) of Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit), and Section 11.08.020 (Use of Shade Coverings) of Chapter 11.08 (Conduct on Beaches and Piers) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to Address Illegal Activity During High-Risk Periods.
DISCUSSION:
On February 10, 2026, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 2026-2 to address recurring public safety concerns during periods of elevated visitor activity, such as spring break and summer holidays, including the Fourth of July. During these high-risk periods, the City of Newport Beach has experienced increased calls for service and NMBC violations related to large gatherings, excessive noise, alcohol-related offenses, illegal fireworks, and violations associated with short-term lodging units, particularly in West Newport, the Balboa Peninsula and Corona del Mar.
The primary purpose of this ordinance is to strengthen public safety during periods of high visitor activity and major holiday weeks in Newport Beach. The City’s goal is to enhance safety by clearly informing residents, businesses, and visitors of heightened safety regulations, increased enforcement, and stricter penalties for violations of the Municipal Code during these peak times. Priority will be given to enforcing those code provisions where violations directly threaten public safety.
Newport Beach remains a visitor-friendly community that welcomes guests year-round, including day visitors, guests of residents, hotel patrons, and those staying in permitted short-term lodging properties. Most visitors respect local laws and positively contribute to the community and local economy through tax revenues that support essential City services such as police and fire protection.
The City expects hosts, whether homeowners, renters, hotels, or short-term lodging operators, to partner in maintaining public safety. Short-term lodging owners and operators are responsible for informing guests of applicable local laws and taking reasonable steps to promote compliance, particularly with respect to regulations that directly impact safety. Failure to properly guide guests, especially during high-risk periods, can negatively affect the broader community.
At the same time, the City recognizes that even responsible short-term lodging owners and operators may encounter guests who refuse to comply with local laws despite good-faith efforts. Accordingly, while the ordinance provides for the most severe penalties in situations where serious criminal activity is occurring and directly impacting the community, those penalties for short-term lodging owners are intended to apply where an owner or operator fails to fulfill their obligations as a responsible operator, by not taking reasonable measures to ensure guests understand and comply with applicable laws, or by failing to take immediate and effective corrective action when unlawful or unsafe conduct occurs.
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).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – Ordinance No. 2026-2
Ordinance No. 2026-2: Amending Various Sections of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to Address Illegal Activity During High-Risk Periods February 24, 2026
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