News Summary
The Newport Beach City Council has unanimously approved amendments to short-term rental regulations, aligning with the California Coastal Commission’s recommendations. The changes introduce a cap of 75 permits in designated mixed-use zones, allowing for limited new permits while addressing community concerns regarding noise, parking, and trash. The decision aims to balance economic benefits with local needs, with ongoing discussions about regulating smaller property owners and compliance enforcement. A second vote is planned to finalize the regulations, amidst high demand for rental permits.
Newport Beach – The Newport Beach City Council has unanimously approved amendments to the city’s short-term rental regulations, aligning these changes with recommendations from the California Coastal Commission. The vote took place during a recent council meeting, with the intent to balance economic benefits while addressing local community concerns.
The Coastal Commission’s recommendations come after a comprehensive review that began in May. The key changes involve permitting a limited number of short-term rentals in two designated mixed-use zones: the Mariners’ Mile corridor and the upper Balboa Peninsula. These zones were established in December 2003 and are now subject to the newly revised regulations.
According to the amendments, short-term rentals established before November 25, 2010, will now count towards the total cap of 75 rental permits set for the mixed-use zones, allowing for only 56 new permits to be issued. Additionally, the Coastal Commission has emphasized the necessity of preserving public parking access at local beaches located within these mixed-use zones, which has been a significant point of contention for residents.
While the city council aims to regulate short-term rentals, some residents have voiced their discontent with a stipulation requiring property owners to have a minimum of 20 rental units to qualify for a short-term rental operating permit. This rule has been described as discriminatory by some smaller property owners, who argue it unfairly disadvantages those who maintain high-quality, manageable properties. The city currently accepts 1,475 short-term rental units outside coastal zones without imposing such restrictions.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact of increased short-term rentals on the residential community. Jaime Murillo, the deputy director of community development for Newport Beach, highlighted that the ultimate goal of the regulations is to mitigate issues related to noise, trash, and parking that often accompany short-term rentals. The city has proactively addressed these concerns by increasing its code enforcement staff to enhance regulation compliance.
Support for expanding the number of mixed-use areas allowed for rental permits was voiced by the Newport Beach Short-Term Rental Alliance, a group advocating for a balanced approach to rental regulations. Despite this, the city council’s recent vote reflects an effort to create a structured framework for short-term rentals, ensuring that they are professionally managed and do not disrupt the character of local residential neighborhoods.
The council’s decision was formalized with a unanimous 5-0 vote, with one council member recused due to a conflict of interest and another absent from the meeting. A second procedural vote is scheduled for August 26, which will finalize the updated regulations, pending anticipated approval from the Coastal Commission in October.
Currently, the city has 546 applicants on a waiting list for short-term rental permits, emphasizing the demand for rentals even amidst new regulations. The total cap for short-term rentals in Newport Beach will be divided into 1,475 permits for residential neighborhoods and 75 for mixed-use zones, creating a cumulative total of 1,550 rentals.
The city council is committed to implementing these regulations in a manner that promotes responsible rental practices while addressing the pressures faced by local communities and their infrastructure.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Irvine Named Best City for Renters in Southern California
Independence Day Celebrations in Orange County
Newport Beach Celebrates Independence Day with Festivities
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Newport Beach Short-Term Lodging
- Wikipedia: Newport Beach, California
- Newport Beach Independent: Vacation Properties Acquisition
- Google Search: Newport Beach short-term rentals
- OC Register: Short-Term Rentals Analysis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rental Property
- Los Angeles Times: Updates to Newport Beach City Code
- Google News: Newport Beach city code short-term rentals
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA
The Costa Mesa Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, performances at the Pacific Amphitheatre, and community gatherings at The LAB Anti-Mall. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Visit Costa Mesa, plus leading businesses in retail, entertainment, and innovation that shape the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
