HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 - Amending the NBMC Pertaining to Raft-Ups, Live-Aboards, On-Shore Moorings, and Other Miscellaneous ProvisionsQ �EwPpRT
CITY OF
s NEWPORT BEACH
`q4�:09 City Council Staff Report
April 12, 2022
Agenda Item No. 11
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Paul Blank, Harbormaster, (949) 270-8158
pblank@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Paul Blank, Harbormaster,
pblank@newportbeachca.gov
PHONE: 949-270-8158
TITLE: Ordinance No. 2022-9: Amending the Newport Beach Municipal Code
Pertaining to Raft -Ups, Live-Aboards, On -Shore Moorings, and Other
Miscellaneous Provisions
ABSTRACT:
As one of its annual objectives, the Harbor Commission tasked itself with reviewing and
recommending revisions to Title 17 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code (NBMC).
During the review, other sections of the NBMC were also considered for revision. The
recommend changes are intended to assist staff and the Harbor Commission when
considering operations, permitting and code enforcement in Newport Harbor. City Council
approval is requested for the recommended revisions, which were approved by the
Harbor Commission at its February 9, 2022 meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:
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) Waive full reading, direct the City Clerk to read by title only, introduce Ordinance
No. 2022-9, An Ordinance of the City Council of Newport Beach, California, Amending
Sections 1.05.020, 1.12.020, 17.01.030, 17.10.060, 17.25.010, 17.25.020, 17.40.030,
17.45.020, 17.60.040, 17.65.010 and 17.70.050 of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code Pertaining to Raft -Ups, Live-Aboards, On -Shore Moorings, and Miscellaneous
Provisions, and pass to second reading on April 26, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with the Harbor Commission's charge under Section 713 of the Newport
Beach City Charter to advise the City Council on matters relating to the use, control,
operation and regulation of Newport Harbor, a subcommittee of the Harbor Commission
(Commission) worked on recommendations for improvements to Title 17 of the NBMC.
The subcommittee responsible for Harbor Commission Objective 1.1 solicited
suggestions from other Commissioners, community members and Harbor Department
staff. Those suggestions were collected and compiled into the attached "CNB MC
Amendments 2022-01 — various" documents.
Ordinance No. 2022-9: Amending the Newport Beach Municipal Code Pertaining to
Raft -ups, Live-Aboards, On -shore Moorings, and Other Miscellaneous Provisions
April 12, 2022
Page 2
The recommended revisions to the NBMC include amending the provisions for anchoring,
mooring, and live-aboards; amending the regulations regarding noise, speed limits, pier
use, and fueling; and amending the City of Newport Beach's (City's) ability to enforce the
provisions of Title 17, including establishing fines for specific infractions related to
abandoning vessels in Newport Harbor.
The subcommittee responsible for Harbor Commission Objective 1.1 reported progress
at the following public meetings, all of which provided the public with an opportunity to
comment:
o September 8, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o October 13, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o November 10, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o December 6, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o January 12, 2022 Harbor Commission Meeting
Presented by the Harbor Commission subcommittee, the proposed changes had a full,
robust and complete public hearing at the February 9, 2022 Harbor Commission Meeting.
The vote to approve the recommendations and send them to the City Council was
unanimously affirmative. These proposed changes represent the Harbor Commission's
best guidance on how to ensure a clean, safe and well -enjoyed experience for all harbor
users
Raft -UD Permits
Prior to the establishment of the Harbor Department, raft -up permits were written by the
Orange County Sheriff Department's Harbor Patrol as part of its agreement with the City.
With the establishment of the City's Harbor Department, responsibility for events
permitting in the harbor transitioned to the City. Establishing these guidelines in the
Harbor Code (NBMC Title 17) makes clear the responsibility of the Harbor Department
for permitting and managing these events. The recommended revisions also make clear
the expectations and rationale supporting conditions of such permits, while simplifying the
process for those who enjoy participating in such activities.
NBMC Title 17 does not effectively define or regulate "raft -ups," which have proliferated
and become challenging to manage in recent years. Adding the requirement to obtain a
permit for and more clearly define raft -ups specifically in NBMC Title 17 will allow the City
to regulate and better manage them and thereby improve safety and the enjoyment of the
Harbor for users and adjacent residents.
The necessity to permit raft -ups is a requirement of the City Fire Code. NBMC Section
9.04.350 Amendments to Section 3603.6 Berthing and Storage includes:
11-2
Ordinance No. 2022-9: Amending the Newport Beach Municipal Code Pertaining to
Raft -ups, Live-Aboards, On -shore Moorings, and Other Miscellaneous Provisions
April 12, 2022
Page 3
3603.6.2 Permitted multiple berthing. A permit may be issued for multiple berthing
under the following conditions:
2. The multiple berthing is necessary for a special event or other
extenuating circumstances and will occur for a limited period of time, which
shall be approved by the fire code official and per City's Guidelines and
Standards A.10 Multiple Berthing and/or Rafting at Special Events.
The City's Guidelines and Standards A.10 Multiple Berthing and/or Rafting at Special
Events includes the following definition:
RAFTING: To moor with more than one boat tied together, usually using only one
boat's anchor and line
The difficulty of fighting a fire or providing life-saving services in the event of an
emergency increases proportionately with the number of vessels involved in a raft -up.
Vessels of differing heights, freeboards and positions for boarding all complicate efforts
to move quickly and safely from one vessel to another within raft -ups. Carrying life-saving
or fire -fighting equipment makes movement from one vessel to another that much more
challenging and dangerous.
Since the City Harbor Department took responsibility for permitting of such raft -ups in
2017, there have been 23 calls for service logged related to noise coming from raft -ups
or unpermitted raft -ups. The call breakdown is provided in this table -
Raft -up Related Calls For Service by Year
Calendar
Year
Noise Reported By
Residents Other Vessels
Unpermitted
Raft -up
Total
2018
2 1
1
4
2019
1
1
2
20201
2 2
8
1 12
20211
2
3
1 5
Total 23
In most cases, Harbor Services Workers gained cooperation and compliance from those
violating the NBMC or conditions of their permit after a short investigation. In two cases,
non-compliance led to the issuance of four citations. Three of those four citations were
upheld by a hearing officer upon appeal.
The timeline recommended for review of raft -up applications is consistent with that for
Level 1 Special Events Permits reviewed and granted by the Recreation and Senior
Services Department. Guidelines for Level 1 Special Events Permits include -
11 -3
Ordinance No. 2022-9: Amending the Newport Beach Municipal Code Pertaining to
Raft -ups, Live-Aboards, On -shore Moorings, and Other Miscellaneous Provisions
April 12, 2022
Page 4
o The process must begin 1 — 2 months before event
o Less than 1,000 people in attendance
o A late fee applies to applications received less than 20 calendar days before
event
In the interest of providing superior customer service, the Harbor Department expects and
will make every effort to review and respond to applications faster than the 30 -day
timeframe specified. It is, however, thought to be in the best interest of all concerned that,
when resources are limited, as has been the case for most of the last 12 months,
expectations for applicants on speed of a decision are appropriately and reasonably set.
Moorina Sub -Permits
The recommended revisions related to mooring sub -permits will make Newport Harbor a
more attractive short-term destination for vessels transiting north and south along the
Pacific Coast. Mariners can better make use of local services and purchase supplies for
the next leg of their voyage with some relaxed restrictions on how long they can stay
aboard their vessels in the harbor.
Enforcement
It was felt by the Harbor Commission and City Attorney that both raft -up and mooring sub -
permits should be made immediately revocable in the presence of unsafe or nuisance
conditions. So that unsafe or nuisance conditions can be abated swiftly, the revocation
of one of these permits should not be appealable. Making these revocations non -
appealable provides for immediate resolution to adverse conditions and eliminates the
need to wait through an appeal process. Including this provision in the code sections
specific to these permits provides efficiency and clarity when citing the code. When the
permits are issued and include the NBMC reference for emphasis, it is helpful for the
permittees to see and understand that the permits can be revoked immediately and
without an appeal process. Citations or fines resulting from any violation of raft -up or
mooring sub -permits remain appealable.
Miscellaneous Amendments
The Marine Activities Permit (MAP) program was updated in 2021 with the introduction of
new, codified MAP conditions and practices. The Harbor Commission and staff felt it wise
to make language within the NBMC more consistent with that in the permits with respect
to noise and speed when operating in the harbor. Further, the recommended changes
reflect a wider variety of ways for permittees to comply with the NBMC as it relates to use
of marine sanitation and pump -out systems appropriate to their operations.
Fueling via vessels specifically designed and permitted for that purpose is a great
convenience to many mariners. The recommended revision will allow the practice to
continue subject to approval from various City departments and outside agencies.
11-4
Ordinance No. 2022-9: Amending the Newport Beach Municipal Code Pertaining to
Raft -ups, Live-Aboards, On -shore Moorings, and Other Miscellaneous Provisions
April 12, 2022
Page 5
The recommended revisions also allow the Harbormaster and Code Enforcement officials
to apply NBMC sections outside Title 17, but related to harbor uses such as those for
nuisances, building permits and water quality. The recommended revisions will bring the
City into compliance with California law associated with grant funds used to destroy
abandoned or surrendered vessels for which the City takes responsibility.
The recommended revisions and the associated rationale for proposing them are included
in Attachment A. A clean version of the proposed revisions is also provided as
Attachment B.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of this ordinance.
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 — CNB MC Amendments 2022-01 — various (strikeout)
Attachment B — CNB MC Amendments 2022-01 — various (clean)
Attachment C — Ordinance No. 2022-9
11-5
ATTACHMENT A
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 17 AND RELATED AMENDMENTS
TO OTHER SECTIONS OF THE NBMC (STRIKEOUT)
Underline = new text / c*�ut = deleted text
RAFT -UPS
1. Amend Section 17.01.030(N), pertaining to definitions, to add "raft -up" and renumber
the existing definitions:
1. Raft -up. The term "raft -up" shall mean the securing of three or more vessels
together, which are in turn anchored to the seabed by one or more anchors. Dinghies
and tenders of fourteen (14) feet LOA or less are excluded from the vessel count.
2. Amend Section 17.25.020 (Anchorage, Berthing and Mooring Regulations) to add raft -
ups as a new subsection and to re -letter the existing subsection (M) (Administration):
M. Raft -ups.
1. Raft -ups require a permit and are allowed only in designated public
anchorage areas.
2. The sponsor or organizer of a raft -up shall apply for a permit from the
Harbormaster in accordance with Section 17.60.015 at least 30 days in
advance of the proposed event. Up to seven vessels may be included in a
permit.
3. The Harbormaster may issue a permit if he determines the raft -up will not
interfere with the natural flow of traffic, or negatively impact surrounding
property owners. The Harbormaster may impose conditions on the permit to
protect persons and property and to assure that the raft -up will not create a
nuisance or interfere with the reasonable use of Newport Harbor by other
vessels or persons. At a minimum, the permit shall include as conditions that
the permittee: (a) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the City, County of
Orange, and the State of California for all liability, injury or damage that
relates in any way to or arises from permittee's event/activity; and (b)
otherwise comDly with this Code. the California Harbors and Navigation
Code, and the Federal Inland Navigation Rules.
4. No person shall join, participate in, or interfere with a raft -up without the
consent or over the obiection of the permittee.
11-6
3.
5. Raft -up permits are nontransferable and shall be in addition to any license,
permit or fee reauired under this Code or anv other provision of law.
6. The Harbormaster may immediately revoke a raft -up permit if: (a) the
ermittee fails to comply with the conditions of the permit: (b) an individual
participating in the raft -up fails to comply with the lawful instructions of the
Harbormaster. or anv other person authorized by the Citv to enforce rules
and regulations within Newport Harbor; or (c) the permittee has made a
material misrepresentation in any part of the permit. The permittee shall
immediately break up the raft -up upon revocation of the permit. The
decision of the Harbormaster shall be final and non -appealable.
N. Administration. The Harbormaster shall administer all provisions in this section.
Discussion: The Municipal Code does not define or regulate "raft -ups." The City
has had significant problems with raft -ups of vessels in the designated
anchorages in Newport Harbor. The problems include but are not limited to:
vessels reducing the ability of others to freely navigate in and through the
anchorage; the playing of excessively loud amplified music; and negatively
impacting the peaceful enjoyment of the anchorage by others. These problems
appear to grow significantly worse as the size of raft -ups increase. Adding the
requirement to obtain a permit for raft -ups will allow the City to regulate and
better manage raft -ups.
LIVE-ABOARDS; TRANSIENT BOATERS; SUB -PERMITTEES
Amend Section 17.40.030, pertaining to live -aboard permits, to read as follows:
No person shall live aboard any vessel in Newport Harbor without first having obtained
a live -aboard permit from the Harbormaster. No live -aboard permit shall be issued
except to a person holding a valid mooring permit issued pursuant to Chapter 17.60 or a
valid rental agreement from a commercial marina. No permit shall be issued to any live -
aboard which is not intended to serve as the principal residence of the permittee. For
purposes of this section, "principal residence" shall mean: (A) with respect to a mooring
permittee, to live aboard for not less than two hundred forty-three (243) days in any
calendar year; or (B) with respect to the tenant of a commercial marina with a valid
rental agreement, to live aboard for a period not less than one hundred eighty (180)
days in any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
sub -permittee of an off -shore mooring under Section 17.60.040 who is in good standing
may live aboard, subject to and upon compliance with the requirements set forth
Section 17.40.070(A). The ability of a sub -permittee to live aboard may be revoked at
the discretion of the Harbormaster. The decision of the Harbormaster shall be final and
non -appealable.
11-7
Discussion: Newport Harbor is common and important stop for vessels
transiting north and south along the California coast. Transiting boaters are
prohibited from spending more than 3 nights aboard their vessels in any 30 -day
period. The City desires to allow transient boaters who live aboard their vessels
to stop in Newport Harbor for limited periods of time without the added
expense of having to obtain alternative lodging.
4. Amend Section 17.60.040(K)(1) to remove sub -permits, to read as follows:
1. The grounds and procedure for revocation of a mooring permit eF sub peFM4 are set
forth in Section 17.70.020.
Discussion: Sub -permits are currently subject to termination at any time for any
reason and requiring the revocation procedure of Section 17.70.020 is
inconsistent as well as infeasible due to the short duration of sub -permits.
5. Amend Section 17.60.040(H), pertaining to the issuance of mooring sub -permits, to
read as follows:
H. Procedures for Mooring Sub -Permit Issuance. "n„ Rat„ral PeFSE)R ;ShiRg t„ use a
peFmit agFee.memt .Agit" the Gity that ; e -',,,-^S the fellow;^^ Issuance of a mooring sub -
permit shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. Provision of a A written representation of the mooring sub-permittee's
vessel length which shall be satisfactory to the Harbormaster;
2. AR
agreen^e^t The mooring sub -permittee agrees to be responsible for any
damage to mooring equipment; to defend and indemnify the City of Newport Beach and
the mooring permittee against any claims or losses arising out of, or related to, the
mooring rental; to require the ,-,. eering sub permittee provide proof of insurance as may
be determined by the City's Risk Manager; to FequiFe provide registration or other proof
of ownership; to requiFe provide an equipment damage deposit, all to the satisfaction of
the Harbormaster; and authorize the City, or its designee, to move the vessel on the
mooring to another location when deemed necessary by the Public Works Director and/or
Harbormaster;
3. The repair of any damage to the mooring equipment shall be paid by the
mooring sub -permittee. If the mooring is damaged by a vessel assigned by the City, or the
City's agent, the City shall arrange for the repair of the mooring with a qualified vendor
11-8
and provide notice to the permittee of the occurrence and the arranged repair date.
Should the sub -permittee fail to pay for the damage for any reason, the City will pay for
the required repairs to the mooring, and then seek reimbursement from the sub -
permittee. Also, the City shall make available a mooring without charge for the returning
vessel of the mooring permittee until such time as their permitted mooring is repaired;
4. The mMooring sub -permittees, shall provide approved mooring lines which
shall be removed at the end of the rental period;
5. A mooring sub -permit agFeeR':c^^t may be up to fifteen (15) days and may
terminate at any time for any reason, and may be renewed based on availability. Upon
return of the assigned vessel to the mooring, the Harbormaster will attempt to reassign
the sub -permittee to another mooring. Mooring sub -permittees have no right of renewal
or substitute moorings upon return of the assigned vessel, or upon termination of a
mooring sub -permit agFee eRt for any reason. Mooring sub -permittees accept an
indefinite term at their own risk. The decision by the Harbormaster to terminate a sub -
permit shall be final and non-appealable,-
6.
on-appealable;
6. The mooring sub -permit rent will be based on a rate established by
resolution of the City Council; and
7. Mooring sub -permits shall e are offered to the public on a first-come,
first-served basis. City owned and operated moorings may be reserved in advance.
Discussion: The revision removes reference to "agreement" in order to clarify
that a separate document is not required in addition to the sub -permit.
FUELING
6. Amend Section 17.25.010(E), pertaining to docking regulations, to read as follows:
E. Direct Fueling Prohibited. No person shall fuel any vessel with any petroleum
product directly from a tank, wagon or truck except by a certified vessel designed for
such purpose and with a conditional use permit or marine activities permit.
Discussion: The revision provides for the delivery of marine fuel by vessel(s)
specifically designed and permitted for that purpose, which is an important
service and significant convenience for the harbor community.
11-9
MARINE ACTIVITIES PERMITS: NOISE; SPEED LIMIT; PUMP -OUT FACILITIES
7. Amend Section 17.10.060(8), pertaining to mandatory conditions on marine activities
permits, to revise the noise restrictions in paragraph (5) and to add new paragraph
(16) requiring compliance with the harbor speed limit, to read as follows:
B. All permits issued pursuant to this chapter are subject to the following standard
conditions:
5. Music and sound from the vessel shall he P_^^*r^"^d se aS n„++„ ,l;r+„rh A
the vesS494; not be loud and unreasonable and shall comply with the standards
and requirements of Chapters 10.28 and 10.32.
16. All vessels shall obey the speed limit of Section 17.20.020(A) and operate
safely at all times while on the waters of Newport Harbor.
Discussion: The revision to paragraph (5) clarifies the level of music or sound
permissible on vessels with marine activities permits and makes the language
consistent with that in other parts of Code chapters 10.28 and 10.32. The
addition of paragraph (16) codifies the requirement that vessels with marine
activities permits obey the Harbor speed limit and operate safely on the Harbor.
This condition is typically placed on the marine activities permit but having them
codified alongside other typical conditions provides consistency between the
Code and the permits.
8. Amend Section 17.45.020(A) pertaining to required pump -out facilities to read as
follows:
A. All sailing clubs, marinas with a capacity of fifty (50) or more vessels,, and
activity permittees ed ; providing vessels f.,r lea -se er charter shall install a vessel
waste pump -out system solely for the use of vessels associated with that activity. The
pump -out facility shall be installed on dock space under the control of the club, marina
or permittee with convenient access to all vessels owned, leased or chartered by the
club, marina or permittee. The pump -out facility shall have a capacity commensurate
with the capacity of the holding tanks of the vessel or vessels of the club, marina or
permittee.
Discussion: The revision removes the requirement that charter operators, some
of which don't have marine sanitation devices on the vessels they charter, have a
waste pump -out station at the site of their operations. There are other
provisions in the Code that require all charter operators to make use of marine
sanitation and pump -out systems appropriate to their operations.
11-10
ENFORCEMENT; ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
9. Amend Section 1.05.020(F) pertaining to administrative citation fines by adding
Section 17.25.020(M) (Raft -ups) to the list of violations and by reordering the list of
citations, to read as follows:
In the case of administrative citations issued for violations of Chapter 5.28 [Live
Entertainment Establishments]; Chapter 5.32 [Cafe Dances]; Chapter 5.95 [Short Term
Lodging Permit]; Section 10.50.020(H) [violation of terms or conditions of a use permit
issued by the City]; Section 14.36.030 resulting in bay or beach closure [Illicit
Connections and Prohibited Discharges]; Chapter 17.10 [Marine Activities Permit];
Section 17.25.020(M) [Raft-upsl; Section 17.45.030 [Waste and Refusel; California Fire
Code Section 107.5 (as adopted by Section 9.04.010); California Fire Code Section
107.5.1 (as adopted by Section 9.04.010); S^^+ii„r 1 n 090 [Waste app-
GhapteF 1:740 [M@Fir A.e#i ,;t_;,,r o„rw„+, administrative fines shall be assessed in the
following amounts when authorized by the City Manager or his or her designee: [.... ]
Discussion: The addition of the new section pertaining to raft -up permits will
allow violations to be assessed higher administrative fines.
10. Amend Section 1.12.020(E) pertaining to authority of public officers or employees to
issue citations, to read as follows:
E. The Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Harbormaster and
code enforcement staff within said departments, as designated by the Directors, shall
have the power to issue citations for any violation of this Code.
Discussion: Various other sections of the Newport Beach Municipal Code affect
and apply to Newport Harbor, such as: business licenses (Section 5.04.020),
signage (Section 5.11.010), feeding of waterfowl (Section 7.26.030), nuisances
(Section 10.50.020), and water quality (Section Chapter 14.36). This revision
allows the Harbormaster and Harbor code enforcement officers to issue notices
of violation and administrative citations for those other sections and not just for
violations of Title 17, the Harbor Code.
11. Amend Section 17.70.050 (Other Remedies) to allow administrative citations and fines
for abandoned vessels, to read as follows:
17.70.050 Citations; Other Remedies.
A. The owner of a vessel deemed abandoned under Section 17.70.040 may be
issued an administrative citation and assessed an administrative fine of $1,000.
B. Notwithstanding the specific enforcement remedies referenced herein, the City
may undertake other enforcement action as provided in the Code, State or Federal law
to enforce the provisions of this title.
Discussion: This revision will allow Harbor staff to issue citations and impose a
higher fine against owners of abandoned vessels.
VESSEL LIMITS FOR ON -SHORE MOORINGS
12. Amend Section 17.25.020(H)(1), pertaining to anchorage, berthing and mooring
regulations, in its entirety to read as follows:
1. Anchoring and Mooring.
a. Except as provided herein, all vessels anchored on either the open waters
of the Pacific Ocean or in any portion of Newport Harbor shall be anchored in
such a manner so that the vessel does not come in contact with another vessel
or structure. Two anchored vessels may secure to each other while in a City
established anchorage area without having to obtain a permit. All vessels
anchored in Newport Harbor in designated anchorage areas shall be anchored in
such a manner so that the vessel does not extend bevond the demarcation line
of the designated anchorage area.
b. All vessels using moorings in Newport Harbor shall be securely tied to a
mooring from bow and stern in such a manner as to prevent the vessel from
swinging, turning or drifting, except in areas designated by the Harbormaster as
single mooring areas. Vessels in single mooring areas shall be tied from the bow.
Vessels using on -shore moorings shall not exceed a length of 18 feet and a beam
of 8 feet.
Discussion: The vessel limit for on -shore moorings is a codification of a
Department practice. The other changes are non -substantive; the language
remains the same and the heading has only been rephrased.
11-12
CLARIFICATION/CLEAN-UP
13. Amend Subsections 17.65.010(A) and (C), pertaining to appeals and calls for review, to
read as follows:
17.65.010 Authorization.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide procedures for the appeal or call for review of
the decisions of the Public Works Director, the Community Development Director, Risk
Manager, Harbormaster and Harbor Commission under this title.
A. Decisions of the Public Works Director, Community Development Director, Risk
Manager, and/or Harbormaster resulting from his or her administration of this title may
be appealed to the Harbor Commission by any interested person, except as otherwise
provided herein.
C. A member of the Harbor Commission, acting in their official capacity, may call for
review, to the Harbor Commission, decisions resulting from the Public Works Director,
Community Development Director and/or Harbormaster's administration of this title,
except as otherwise provided herein. The purpose of the call for review is to bring the
matter in front of the entire body for review.
Discussion: The revision is to maintain consistency with those provisions of Title
17 wherein the Harbormaster has authority to make decisions that are final and
non -appealable.
14. Amend Section 17.25.020(H)(3), pertaining to anchorage, berthing and mooring
regulations, to read as follows:
3. Vessel Condition—Public Nuisance. No person owning, leasing, occupying or
having charge or possession of any vessel in Newport Harbor shall maintain, permit,
cause or allow to exist on such vessel any of the following conditions: [.... ]
Discussion: The revision clarifies that all vessels on Newport Harbor are subject
to the vessel condition requirements, not just vessels on a mooring or anchored.
15. Amend Section 17.25.010(C)(1)(b), pertaining to docking time limits and rules, to read
as follows:
b. Green markings shall mean vessels may be tied up or secured for three (3) hours
maximum.
11-13
ATTACHMENT B
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 17 AND RELATED AMENDMENTS TO THE NBMC
1.05.020 Authority and Administrative Citation Fines.
In the case of administrative citations issued for violations of Chapter 5.28 [Live
Entertainment Establishments]; Chapter 5.32 [Cafe Dances]; Chapter 5.95 [Short Term Lodging
Permit]; Section 10.50.020(H) [violation of terms or conditions of a use permit issued by the
City]; Section 14.36.030 resulting in bay or beach closure [Illicit Connections and Prohibited
Discharges]; Chapter 17.10 [Marine Activities Permit]; Section 17.25.020(N) [Raft -ups]; Section
17.45.030 [Waste and Refuse]; California Fire Code Section 107.5 (as adopted by Section
9.04.010); California Fire Code Section 107.5.1 (as adopted by Section 9.04.010), administrative
fines shall be assessed in the following amounts when authorized by the City Manager or his or
her designee:
1.12.020 NBMC Authority of Public Officers or Employees to Issue Citations.
E. The Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Harbormaster and code
enforcement staff within said departments, as designated by the Directors, shall have the
power to issue citations for any violation of this Code.
17.01.030 Definition of Terms.
N. Definitions: R.
1. Raft -up. The term "raft -up" shall mean the securing of three or more vessels
together, which are in turn anchored to the seabed by one or more anchors. Dinghies
and tenders of fourteen (14) feet LOA or less are excluded from the vessel count.
2. Residential. The term "residential" shall mean those properties that are
identified in Title 20 as a district that allows residential uses or areas designated and
used for residential purposes.
3. Rhine Wharf. The term "Rhine Wharf" shall mean the area at the terminus of the
Rhine Channel where vessels may load and unload supplies directly to and from the
wharf while tied directly to the wharf.
4. Rhine Wharf Public Pier. The term "Rhine Wharf public pier" shall mean the pier
and long float parallel to the Rhine Wharf, and which is used for public recreational
purposes provided by the City.
11-14
5. Riprap. The term "rprap" shall mean a protective layer or facing of rock,
concrete blocks or quarry stone, placed to prevent erosion, scour, or sloughing of an
embankment or bluff.
6. Risk Manager. The term "Risk Manager" shall mean the Risk Manager of the City
or his or her designee.
17.10.060 Power to Impose Conditions—Hold Harmless.
B. All permits issued pursuant to this chapter are subject to the following standard conditions:
5. Music and sound from the vessel shall not be loud and unreasonable and shall
comply with the standards and requirements of Chapters 10.28 and 10.32.
16. All vessels shall obey the speed limit of Section 17.20.020(A) and operate safely at
all times while on the waters of Newport Harbor.
17.25.010 Docking Regulations.
C. Time Limits and Rules.
1. [Unchanged.]
b. Green markings shall mean vessels may be tied up or secured for three
(3) hours maximum.
E. Direct Fueling Prohibited. No person shall fuel any vessel with any petroleum product
directly from a tank, wagon or truck except by a certified vessel designed for such purpose and
with a conditional use permit or marine activities permit.
17.25.020 Anchorage, Berthing and Mooring Regulations.
H. Mooring, Anchoring and Vessel Condition Requirements.
1. Anchoring and Mooring.
a. Except as provided herein, all vessels anchored on either the open waters
of the Pacific Ocean or in any portion of Newport Harbor shall be anchored in
such a manner so that the vessel does not come in contact with another vessel
or structure. Two anchored vessels may secure to each other while in a City
established anchorage area without having to obtain a permit. All vessels
anchored in Newport Harbor in designated anchorage areas shall be anchored in
11-15
such a manner so that the vessel does extend beyond the demarcation line of
the designated anchorage area.
b. All vessels using moorings in Newport Harbor shall be securely tied to a
mooring from bow and stern in such a manner as to prevent the vessel from
swinging, turning or drifting, except in areas designated by the Harbormaster as
single mooring areas. Vessels in single mooring areas shall be tied from the bow.
Vessels using on -shore moorings shall not exceed a length of 18 feet and a beam
of 8 feet.
2. Vessel Condition. [Unchanged.]
3. Vessel Condition—Public Nuisance. No person owning, leasing, occupying or
having charge or possession of any vessel in Newport Harbor shall maintain,
permit, cause or allow to exist on such vessel any of the following conditions:
N. Raft -ups.
1. Raft -ups are prohibited without a permit and outside designated public
anchorage areas.
2. The sponsor or organizer of a raft -up shall apply for a permit from the
Harbormaster in accordance with Section 17.60.015 at least 30 days in advance of the
proposed event. Up to seven vessels may be included in a permit.
3. The Harbormaster may issue a permit if he determines the raft -up will not
interfere with the natural flow of traffic, or negatively impact surrounding property
owners. The Harbormaster may impose conditions on the permit to protect persons and
property and to assure that the raft -up will not create a nuisance or interfere with the
reasonable use of Newport Harbor by other vessels or persons. At a minimum, the
permit shall include as conditions that the permittee: (a) indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the City, County of Orange, and the State of California for all liability, injury or
damage that relates in any way to or arises from permittee's event/activity; and (b)
otherwise comply with this Code, the California Harbors and Navigation Code, and the
Federal Inland Navigation Rules.
4. No person shall join, participate in, or interfere with a raft -up without the
consent or over the objection of the permittee.
5. Raft -up permits are nontransferable and shall be in addition to any license,
permit or fee required under this Code or any other provision of law.
11-16
6. The Harbormaster may immediately revoke a raft -up permit if: (a) the permittee
fails to comply with the conditions of the permit; (b) an individual participating in the
raft -up fails to comply with the lawful instructions of the Harbormaster, or any other
person authorized by the City to enforce rules and regulations within Newport Harbor;
or (c) the permittee has made a material misrepresentation in any part of the permit.
The permittee shall immediately break up the raft -up upon revocation of the permit.
17.40.030 Permits Required.
No person shall live aboard any vessel in Newport Harbor without first having obtained a live -
aboard permit from the Harbormaster. No live -aboard permit shall be issued except to a person
holding a valid mooring permit issued pursuant to Chapter 17.60 or a valid rental agreement
from a commercial marina. No permit shall be issued to any live -aboard which is not intended
to serve as the principal residence of the permittee. For purposes of this section, "principal
residence" shall mean: (A) with respect to a mooring permittee, to live aboard for not less than
two hundred forty-three (243) days in any calendar year; or (B) with respect to the tenant of a
commercial marina with a valid rental agreement, to live aboard for a period not less than one
hundred eighty (180) days in any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a sub -permittee of an off -shore mooring who is in good standing may live aboard
if the vessel passes dye tablet tests of its marine sanitation device. A dye tablet test shall be
performed at the beginning of each sub -permit period and Harbor staff may board the vessel at
any time to perform a dye tablet test if they believe or have reason to believe that waste is
being actively discharged into the Harbor. The ability of a sub -permittee to live aboard may be
revoked at the discretion of the Harbormaster.
17.45.020 Required Pump -Out Facilities.
A. All sailing clubs, marinas with a capacity of fifty (50) or more vessels shall install a vessel
waste pump -out system solely for the use of vessels associated with that activity. The pump -
out facility shall be installed on dock space under the control of the club, marina or permittee
with convenient access to all vessels owned, leased or chartered by the club, marina or
permittee. The pump -out facility shall have a capacity commensurate with the capacity of the
holding tanks of the vessel or vessels of the club, marina or permittee.
17.70.040 Abandoned Vessels or Structures.
Any vessel or structure that has been impounded pursuant to Section 17.70.030 that has not
been claimed by the owner, or has been claimed by the owner and the owner has not paid the
impound fees owed to the City for a period in excess of thirty (30) days, shall be deemed
abandoned and may be disposed of by the City in any manner prescribed by law. In accordance
with Section 525(a) through (c) of the California Harbors and Navigation Code the Harbormaster
may issue the last registered vessel owner a citation for abandonment of the vessel and impose
a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $3,000 for violation of this section.
11-17
ATTACHMENT C
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-9
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS
1.05.020, 1.12.020, 17.01.030, 17.10.060, 17.25.010,
17.25.020, 17.40.030, 17.45.020, 17.60.040, 17.65.010 AND
17.70.050 OF THE NEWPORT BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO RAFT -UPS, LIVE-ABOARDS, ON-
SHORE MOORINGS, AND MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
WHEREAS, Section 200 of the Charter of the City of Newport Beach ("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, pursuant to the 1978 Beacon Bay Bill, as amended ("Beacon Bay
Bill"), the City of Newport Beach ("City") acts on behalf of the State of California as the
trustee of tidelands located within the City's limits, including Newport Harbor;
WHEREAS, the City has adopted rules and regulations for Newport Harbor, which
are contained in Title 17 (Harbor Code) ("Title 17") of the Newport Beach Municipal Code
("Code" or "NBMC");
WHEREAS, the Harbor Commission recommends amending Title 17 to regulate
raft -ups, provide visiting boaters an alternative to searching for accommodations while on
vacation, provide for additional regulation of certain activity within Newport Harbor and to
clarify existing provisions;
WHEREAS, amendments to the City's general code enforcement provisions
contained in Title 1 (General Provisions) of the Code will allow for additional enforcement
of raft -ups and permit Harbor Department staff to enforce provisions of the Code outside
of Title 17 that are applicable to Newport Harbor; and
WHEREAS, the City shall file a copy of this ordinance with the California
Department of Boating and Waterways prior to its adoption and at least thirty (30) days
prior to its effective date, as required by California Harbor and Navigations Code Section
660(a).
11-18
Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 2 of 10
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach does ordain as
follows:
Section 1: Subsection (F) of Section 1.05.020 (Authority and Administrative
Citation Fines) of Chapter 1.05 (Administrative Code Enforcement Program) of Title 1
(General Provisions) of the Code is hereby amended to add reference to Section
17.25.020(M) and reorder the list of citation references, to read as follows:
F. In the case of administrative citations issued for violations of Chapter 5.28 [Live
Entertainment Establishments]; Chapter 5.32 [Cafe Dances]; Chapter 5.95 [Short Term
Lodging Permit]; Section 10.50.020(H) [violation of terms or conditions of a use permit
issued by the City]; Section 14.36.030 resulting in bay or beach closure [Illicit Connections
and Prohibited Discharges]; Chapter 17.10 [Marine Activities Permit]; Section
17.25.020(M) [Raft -ups]; Section 17.45.030 [Waste and Refuse]; California Fire Code
Section 107.5 (as adopted by Section 9.04.010), California Fire Code Section 107.5.1 (as
adopted by Section 9.04.010), administrative fines shall be assessed in the following
amounts when authorized by the City Manager or his or her designee:
[Remainder of section unchanged.]
Section 2: Subsection (E) of Section 1.12.020 (NBMC Authority of Public
Officers or Employees to Issue Citations) of Chapter 1.12 (Citations and Warrants) of Title
1 of the Code is hereby amended to add the Harbormaster, to read as follows:
E. The Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Harbormaster and
code enforcement staff within said departments, as designated by the Directors, shall
have the power to issue citations for any violation of this Code.
Section 3: Subsection (N) (Definitions: R) of Section 17.01.030 (Definitions of
Terms) of Chapter 17.01 (Definitions) of Title 17 of the Code is hereby amended to add
"raft -up," to read as follows:
N. Definitions: R.
1. Raft -up. The term "raft -up" shall mean the securing of three or more vessels
together, which are in turn anchored to the seabed by one or more anchors.
Dinghies and tenders of fourteen (14) feet LOA or less are excluded from the
vessel count.
11-19
Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 3 of 10
2. Residential. The term "residential" shall mean those properties that are
identified in Title 20 as a district that allows residential uses or areas designated
and used for residential purposes.
3. Rhine Wharf. The term "Rhine Wharf' shall mean the area at the terminus
of the Rhine Channel where vessels may load and unload supplies directly to and
from the wharf while tied directly to the wharf.
4. Rhine Wharf Public Pier. The term "Rhine Wharf public pier" shall mean the
pier and long float parallel to the Rhine Wharf, and which is used for public
recreational purposes provided by the City.
5. Riprap. The term "riprap" shall mean a protective layer or facing of rock,
concrete blocks or quarry stone, placed to prevent erosion, scour, or sloughing of
an embankment or bluff.
6. Risk Manager. The term "Risk Manager" shall mean the Risk Manager of
the City or his or her designee.
Section 4: Subsection (B) of Section 17.10.060 (Power to Impose Conditions—
Hold Harmless) of Chapter 17.10 (Marine Activities Permit) of Title 17 of the Code is
amended to revise paragraph (5) and add new paragraph (16), to read as follows:
B. All permits issued pursuant to this chapter are subject to the following standard
conditions:
5. Music and sound from the vessel shall not be loud and unreasonable and
shall comply with the standards and requirements of Chapters 10.28 and 10.32.
16. All vessels shall obey the speed limit of Section 17.20.020(A) and operate
safely at all times while on the waters of Newport Harbor.
Section 5: Subparagraph (b) of Paragraph (1) of Subsection (C) (Time Limits
and Rules) of Section 17.25.010 (Docking Regulations) of Title 17 of the Code is amended
to read as follows:
C. Time Limits and Rules.
1. [Unchanged.]
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Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 4 of 10
b. Green markings shall mean vessels may be tied up or secured for
three (3) hours maximum.
Section 6: Subsection (E) of Section 17.25.010 (Docking Regulations) of
Chapter 17.25 (Berthing, Mooring and Storage) of Title 17 of the Code is amended to
read as follows:
E. Direct Fueling Prohibited. No person shall fuel any vessel with any petroleum
product directly from a tank, wagon or truck except by a certified vessel designed for such
purpose and with a conditional use permit or marine activities permit.
Section 7: Paragraphs (1) and (3) of Subsection (H) (Mooring, Anchoring and
Vessel Conditions Requirements) of Section 17.25.020 (Anchorage, Berthing and
Mooring Regulations) of Chapter 17.25 (Berthing, Mooring and Storage) of Title 17 of the
Code are amended to read as follows:
H. Mooring, Anchoring and Vessel Condition Requirements.
1. Anchoring and Mooring.
a. Except as provided herein, all vessels anchored on either the open
waters of the Pacific Ocean or in any portion of Newport Harbor shall be
anchored in such a manner so that the vessel does not come in contact with
another vessel or structure. Two anchored vessels may secure to each
other while in a City established anchorage area without having to obtain a
permit. All vessels anchored in Newport Harbor in designated anchorage
areas shall be anchored in such a manner so that the vessel does not
extend beyond the demarcation line of the designated anchorage area.
b. All vessels using moorings in Newport Harbor shall be securely tied
to a mooring from bow and stern in such a manner as to prevent the vessel
from swinging, turning or drifting, except in areas designated by the
Harbormaster as single mooring areas. Vessels in single mooring areas
shall be tied from the bow. Vessels using on -shore moorings shall not
exceed a length of 18 feet and a beam of 8 feet.
2. [Unchanged.]
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Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 5 of 10
3. Vessel Condition—Public Nuisance. No person owning, leasing, occupying
or having charge or possession of any vessel in Newport Harbor shall maintain,
permit, cause or allow to exist on such vessel any of the following conditions:
[Remainder of section unchanged.]
Section 8: Subsection (M) (Administration) of Section 17.25.020 (Anchorage,
Berthing and Mooring Regulations) of Chapter 17.25 (Berthing, Mooring and Storage) of
Title 17 of the Code is re -lettered as Subsection (N) and a new Subsection (M) pertaining
to regulation of raft -ups is added, to read as follows:
M. Raft -ups.
1. Raft -ups require a permit and are allowed only in designated public
anchorage areas.
2. The sponsor or organizer of a raft -up shall apply for a permit from the
Harbormaster in accordance with Section 17.60.015 at least 30 days in advance
of the proposed event. Up to seven vessels may be included in a permit.
3. The Harbormaster may issue a permit if he determines the raft -up will not
interfere with the natural flow of traffic, or negatively impact surrounding property
owners. The Harbormaster may impose conditions on the permit to protect persons
and property and to assure that the raft -up will not create a nuisance or interfere
with the reasonable use of Newport Harbor by other vessels or persons. At a
minimum, the permit shall include as conditions that the permittee: (a) indemnify,
defend and hold harmless the City, County of Orange, and the State of California
for all liability, injury or damage that relates in any way to or arises from permittee's
event/activity; and (b) otherwise comply with this Code, the California Harbors and
Navigation Code, and the Federal Inland Navigation Rules.
4. No person shall join, participate in, or interfere with a raft -up without the
consent or over the objection of the permittee.
5. Raft -up permits are nontransferable and shall be in addition to any license,
permit or fee required under this Code or any other provision of law.
6. The Harbormaster may immediately revoke a raft -up permit if: (a) the
permittee fails to comply with the conditions of the permit; (b) an individual
participating in the raft -up fails to comply with the lawful instructions of the
11-22
Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 6 of 10
Harbormaster, or any other person authorized by the City to enforce rules and
regulations within Newport Harbor; or (c) the permittee has made a material
misrepresentation in any part of the permit. The permittee shall immediately break
up the raft -up upon revocation of the permit. The decision of the Harbormaster
shall be final and non -appealable.
N. Administration. The Harbormaster shall administer all provisions in this section.
Section 9: Section 17.40.030 (Permits Required) of Chapter 17.40 (Live-
Aboards) of Title 17 of the Code is amended to read as follows:
17.40.030 Permits Required.
No person shall live aboard any vessel in Newport Harbor without first having obtained a
live -aboard permit from the Harbormaster. No live -aboard permit shall be issued except
to a person holding a valid mooring permit issued pursuant to Chapter 17.60 or a valid
rental agreement from a commercial marina. No permit shall be issued to any live -aboard
which is not intended to serve as the principal residence of the permittee. For purposes
of this section, "principal residence" shall mean: (A) with respect to a mooring permittee,
to live aboard for not less than two hundred forty-three (243) days in any calendar year;
or (B) with respect to the tenant of a commercial marina with a valid rental agreement, to
live aboard for a period not less than one hundred eighty (180) days in any three hundred
sixty-five (365) day period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a sub -permittee of an off -shore
mooring under Section 17.60.040 who is in good standing may live aboard, subject to and
upon compliance with the requirements set forth Section 17.40.070(A). The ability of a
sub -permittee to live aboard may be revoked at the discretion of the Harbormaster. The
decision of the Harbormaster shall be final and non -appealable.
Section 10: Subsection (A) of Section 17.45.020 (Required Pump -Out Facilities)
of Chapter 17.45 (Sanitation) of Title 17 of the Code is amended to read as follows:
A. All sailing clubs, marinas with a capacity of fifty (50) or more vessels shall install a
vessel waste pump -out system solely for the use of vessels associated with that activity.
The pump -out facility shall be installed on dock space under the control of the club, marina
or permittee with convenient access to all vessels owned, leased or chartered by the club,
marina or permittee. The pump -out facility shall have a capacity commensurate with the
capacity of the holding tanks of the vessel or vessels of the club, marina or permittee.
11-23
Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 7 of 10
Section 11: Subsection (H) (Procedures for Mooring Sub -Permit Issuance) of
Section 17.60.040 (Mooring Permits) of Chapter 17.60 (Harbor Permits and Leases) of
Title 17 of the Code is amended to read as follows:
H. Procedures for Mooring Sub -Permit Issuance. Issuance of a mooring sub -permit
shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. Provision of a written representation of the mooring sub-permittee's vessel
length which shall be satisfactory to the Harbormaster;
2. The mooring sub -permittee agrees to be responsible for any damage to
mooring equipment; to defend and indemnify the City of Newport Beach and the mooring
permittee against any claims or losses arising out of, or related to, the mooring rental; to
provide proof of insurance as may be determined by the City's Risk Manager; to provide
registration or other proof of ownership; to provide an equipment damage deposit, all to
the satisfaction of the Harbormaster; and authorize the City, or its designee, to move the
vessel on the mooring to another location when deemed necessary by the Public Works
Director and/or Harbormaster;
3. The repair of any damage to the mooring equipment shall be paid by the
mooring sub -permittee. If the mooring is damaged by a vessel assigned by the City, or
the City's agent, the City shall arrange for the repair of the mooring with a qualified vendor
and provide notice to the permittee of the occurrence and the arranged repair date.
Should the sub -permittee fail to pay for the damage for any reason, the City will pay for
the required repairs to the mooring, and then seek reimbursement from the sub -permittee.
Also, the City shall make available a mooring without charge for the returning vessel of
the mooring permittee until such time as their permitted mooring is repaired;
4. The mooring sub -permittee shall provide approved mooring lines which
shall be removed at the end of the rental period;
5. A mooring sub -permit may be up to fifteen (15) days and may terminate at
any time for any reason, and may be renewed based on availability. Upon return of the
assigned vessel to the mooring, the Harbormaster will attempt to reassign the sub -
permittee to another mooring. Mooring sub -permittees have no right of renewal or
substitute moorings upon return of the assigned vessel, or upon termination of a mooring
sub -permit for any reason. Mooring sub -permittees accept an indefinite term at their own
risk. The decision by the Harbormaster to terminate a sub -permit shall be final and non -
appealable,
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Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 8 of 10
6. The mooring sub -permit rent will be based on a rate established by
resolution of the City Council, and
7. Mooring sub -permits are offered to the public on a first-come, first-served
basis. City owned and operated moorings may be reserved in advance.
Section 12: Paragraph (1) of Subsection (K) (Revocation of Permit) of Section
17.60.040 (Mooring Permits) of Chapter 17.60 (Harbor Permits and Leases) of Title 17 of
the Code is amended to read as follows:
1. The grounds and procedure for revocation of a mooring permit are set forth
in Section 17.70.020.
Section 13: Subsections (A) and (C) of Section 17.65.010 (Authorization) of
Chapter 17.65 (Appeals or Calls for Review) of Title 17 of the Code are amended to read
as follows:
17.65.010 Authorization.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide procedures for the appeal or call for review of
the decisions of the Public Works Director, the Community Development Director, Risk
Manager, Harbormaster and Harbor Commission under this title.
A. Decisions of the Public Works Director, Community Development Director, Risk
Manager, and/or Harbormaster resulting from his or her administration of this title may be
appealed to the Harbor Commission by any interested person, except as otherwise
provided herein.
C. A member of the Harbor Commission, acting in their official capacity, may call for
review, to the Harbor Commission, decisions resulting from the Public Works Director,
Community Development Director and/or Harbormaster's administration of this title,
except as otherwise provided herein. The purpose of the call for review is to bring the
matter in front of the entire body for review.
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Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 9 of 10
Section 14: Section 17.70.050 (Other Remedies) of Chapter 17.70
(Enforcement) of Title 17 of the Code is amended to read as follows:
17.70.050 Citations; Other Remedies.
A. The owner of a vessel deemed abandoned under Section 17.70.040 may be
issued an administrative citation and assessed an administrative fine of $1,000.
B. Notwithstanding the specific enforcement remedies referenced herein, the City
may undertake other enforcement action as provided in the Code, State or Federal law
to enforce the provisions of this title.
Section 15: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
Section 16: 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 17: The City Council finds the introduction and adoption of this ordinance
is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Section
15301 (Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title
14, Division 6, Chapter 3 because the ordinance will result in negligible or no expansion
of existing use.
Section 18: 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 19: 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 in full force and
effect thirty (30) days after its adoption by a majority vote of the City Council.
11-26
Ordinance No. 2022-9
Page 10 of 10
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Newport Beach held on 12th day of April, 2022, and adopted on the 26th day of April,
2022, by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
RECUSED:
KEVIN MULDOON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LEILANI I. BROWN, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
AA�ON C. HARP, CITY ATTORNEY
11-27
ATTACHMENT D
From:
Harr), Aaron
To:
Brown, Leilani
Subject:
FW: Proposed Harbor Code Amendments related to Raft -ups in Newport Harbor
Date:
April 05, 2022 10:25:18 AM
Attachments:
imaae004.pna
Agenda Item Communication.
From: Blank, Paul <PBlank@newportbeachca.gov>
Sent: April 05, 2022 10:22 AM
Cc: Cosylion, Matt <MCosylion@newportbeachca.gov>; Kenney, William, Jr.
<wken ney@ newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Proposed Harbor Code Amendments related to Raft -ups in Newport Harbor
Good Day Councilmembers:
The Harbor Commission's recommended revisions to the municipal code specific to raft -ups drew
more than anticipated interest last month.
Sacrificing brevity, I have enhanced the staff report and included more context for why the
Commission recommends these changes be made now.
The Commissioners definitely feel adding this language to Title 17 supports efforts to keep Newport
Harbor clean, safe and well -enjoyed for all.
The section of the staff report specific to raft -ups is pasted below for your review.
I will shortly forward this same section to the three constituents I am aware of that reached out to
you on this matter.
I will also forward to one other interested constituent.
I hope you will be better prepared to understand and address any further concerns expressed.
Please reach out to me in whatever format or media is convenient if I can provide further
information.
The subcommittee responsible for Harbor Commission Objective 1.1
(proposed Code revisions) reported progress at the following public meetings,
all of which provided the public with an opportunity to comment:
o September 8, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o October 13, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o November 10, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o December 6, 2021 Harbor Commission Meeting
o January 12, 2022 Harbor Commission Meeting
Presented by the Harbor Commission subcommittee, the proposed changes
had a full, robust and complete public hearing at the February 9, 2022 Harbor
Commission Meeting. The vote to approve the recommendations and send
11-28
them to the City Council was unanimously affirmative. These proposed
changes represent the Harbor Commission's best guidance on how to ensure
a clean, safe and well -enjoyed experience for all harbor users
Raft -Up Permits
Prior to the establishment of the Harbor Department, raft -up permits were
written by the Orange County Sheriff Department's Harbor Patrol as part of its
agreement with the City. With the establishment of the City's Harbor
Department, responsibility for events permitting in the harbor transitioned to
the City. Establishing these guidelines in the Harbor Code (NBMC Title 17)
makes clear the responsibility of the Harbor Department for permitting and
managing these events. The recommended revisions also make clear the
expectations and rationale supporting conditions of such permits, while
simplifying the process for those who enjoy participating in such activities.
NBMC Title 17 does not effectively define or regulate "raft -ups," which have
proliferated and become challenging to manage in recent years. Adding the
requirement to obtain a permit for and more clearly define raft -ups specifically
in NBMC Title 17 will allow the City to regulate and better manage them and
thereby improve safety and the enjoyment of the Harbor for users and adjacent
residents.
The necessity to permit raft -ups is a requirement of the City Fire Code. NBMC
Section 9.04.350 Amendments to Section 3603.6 Berthing and Storage
includes:
3603.6.2 Permitted multiple berthing. A permit may be issued for
multiple berthing under the following conditions:
2. The multiple berthing is necessary for a special event or other
extenuating circumstances and will occur for a limited period of
time, which shall be approved by the fire code official and per
City's Guidelines and Standards A.10 Multiple Berthing and/or
Rafting at Special Events.
The City's Guidelines and Standards A.10 Multiple Berthing and/or Rafting at
Special Events includes the following definition:
RAFTING: To moor with more than one boat tied together, usually using
only one boat's anchor and line
The difficulty of fighting a fire or providing life-saving services in the event of an
emergency increases proportionately with the number of vessels involved in a
raft -up. Vessels of differing heights, freeboards and positions for boarding all
complicate efforts to move quickly and safely from one vessel to another within
raft -ups. Carrying life-saving or fire -fighting equipment makes movement from
one vessel to another that much more challenging and dangerous.
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Best,
Since the City Harbor Department took responsibility for permitting of such raft -
ups in 2017, there have been 23 calls for service logged related to noise
coming from raft -ups or unpermitted raft -ups. The call breakdown is provided in
this table:
Raft -up Related Calls For Service by Year
Calendar
Year
Noise Reported By
Residents Other Vessels
Unpermitted
Raft -up
Total
2018
2
1
1
=
2019
1
1
20201
2
2
S
20211
2
3
11
Total 23
In most cases, Harbor Services Workers gained cooperation and compliance
from those violating the NBMC or conditions of their permit after a short
investigation. In two cases, non-compliance led to the issuance of four
citations. Three of those four citations were upheld by a hearing officer upon
appeal.
The timeline recommended for review of raft -up applications is consistent with
that for Level 1 Special Events Permits reviewed and granted by the
Recreation and Senior Services Department. Guidelines for Level 1 Special
Events Permits include:
o The process must begin 1 — 2 months before event
o Less than 1,000 people in attendance
o A late fee applies to applications received less than 20 calendar days
before event
In the interest of providing superior customer service, the Harbor Department
expects and will make every effort to review and respond to applications faster
than the 30 -day timeframe specified. It is, however, thought to be in the best
interest of all concerned that, when resources are limited, as has been the
case for most of the last 12 months, expectations for applicants on speed of a
decision are appropriately and reasonably set.
Paul Blank
Harbormaster
pblank@newportbeachca.gov
949-270-8158
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