HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Designating a Portion of CdM's as a Safety Enhancement Zone and Expanding West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone to Include Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day HolidaysTO:
FROM:
CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
February 25, 2025
Agenda Item No. 12
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
David Miner, Chief of Police - 949-644-3701, dminer@nbpd.org
PREPARED BY: Eric Little, Lieutenant - 949-644-3660, elittle@nbpd.org
TITLE: Ordinance No. 2025-3: Designating a Portion of Corona del Mar as a
Safety Enhancement Zone and Expanding West Newport Safety
Enhancement Zone to Include Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and
Labor Day Holidays
ABSTRACT:
For the City Council's consideration is the introduction of an ordinance designating a
portion of Corona del Mar as a Safety Enhancement Zone during the Memorial Day,
Fourth of July, and Labor Day holidays. The ordinance also proposes expanding the
West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone to include Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The Newport Beach Municipal Code grants the City Council the authority to designate
areas of the city as Safety Enhancement Zones. These zones are established to enhance
public order and safety during periods of high activity, such as holidays or special events.
Within these zones, the City of Newport Beach implements stricter fines to address issues
such as large gatherings, noise disturbances, and unruly behavior. Infractions and
citations of the Newport Beach Municipal Code within a Safety Enhancement Zone are
subject to triple the standard fines.
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) Waive full reading, direct the City Clerk to read by title only, and introduce Ordinance
No. 2025-3, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California,
Designating a Portion of Corona del Mar as a Safety Enhancement Zone During the
Memorial Day, Fourth of July Independence Day, and Labor Day Holidays and
Expanding the West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone to Include Memorial Day and
Labor Day Holidays by Amending Section 1.04.060 (Safety Enhancement Zone),
Chapter 10.58 (Police Services at Large Parties, Gatherings or Events on Private
Property), and Section 10.66.060 (Violation -Penalty -Civil Fine) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code, and pass to second reading on March 11, 2025.
12-1
Designating a Portion of Corona del Mar as a Safety Enhancement Zone and
Expanding West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone to Include
Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day Holidays
February 25, 2025
Page 2
DISCUSSION:
Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 1.04.060 allows certain areas of the city to be
designated as Safety Enhancement Zones to further deter municipal code violations
during specific times of the year. Within these zones, fines for infractions and civil fines
are tripled.
For example, a first-time infraction that typically carries a $100 fine would increase to
$300 in a Safety Enhancement Zone. Civil fines triple from $500 for the first violation to
$1,500 in Safety Enhancement Zone; and $1,000 for the second violation increases to
$3,000 in the Safety Enhancement Zone.
Existing Safety Enhancement Zone
In 2003, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2003-5, designating the West Newport
area a Safety Enhancement Zone on the Fourth of July. This designation has proven to
be an effective tool in maintaining the safety and security of both residents and visitors.
On December 10, 2024, pursuant to Council Policy A-1 and at the request of Mayor Pro
Tern Lauren Kleiman, the City Council considered whether to direct City staff to return to
the Council with a recommendation regarding designating a portion of Corona del Mar as
a Safety Enhancement Zone for the Fourth of July and other times as deemed
appropriate. The Council voted, via a straw poll, in favor of staff returning with a
recommendation.
The City receives a large influx of visitors to Corona de Mar on major holiday weekends,
including Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. These crowds, along with large
parties and gatherings, often require officers to make frequent return visits to the same
locations, straining resources and creating a significant safety hazard for both officers
and the public.
These conditions create an immediate risk of major disturbances that could result in
serious injury or death to members of the public and law enforcement personnel. The
table below highlights the calls for service in Corona del Mar, arrests made, and citations
issued over the holidays.
Corona del Mar (RD44)
Calls for Service
Arrests
Citations
Memorial Day 2023/2024
98
5
12
Fourth of July 2023/2024
79
3
18
Labor Day 2023/2024
122
9
23
Additionally, in 2024 there were 297 Code Enforcement violations related to short-term
lodging permits in Corona del Mar.
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Designating a Portion of Corona del Mar as a Safety Enhancement Zone and
Expanding West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone to Include
Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day Holidays
February 25, 2025
Page 3
Proposed Boundaries — Corona del Mar Safety Enhancement Zone
The proposed Safety Enhancement Zone in Corona del Mar includes the area bounded
by the Pacific Ocean to the south, San Joaquin Hills Road to the north, MacArthur
Boulevard to the west, and Hazel Drive to the east. This area corresponds to Newport
Beach Police Department Reporting District 44 of Area 4. The designation includes
Pirate's Cove, Corona del Mar State Beach, and Little Corona.
Expanding West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone
Staff believes that expanding the West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone to include
Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays is appropriate given the number of arrests and
citations issued during these periods. The expansion will enhance the quality of life for
residents and improve the experience of visitors to the city.
The attached ordinance extends the Safety Enhancement Zone in West Newport to cover
Memorial Day and Labor Day in addition to the Fourth of July.
The table below highlights the recent calls for service, arrests made, and citations issued
over these holidays in West Newport, providing for justification for extending the Safety
Enhancement Zone to include Memorial Day and Labor Day.
West Newport
Calls for Service
Arrests
Citations
Memorial Day 2023/2024
423
41
14
Fourth of July 2023/2024
646
48
228
Labor Day 2023/2024
440
27
41
Communication to Residents
The City will notify residents within the Safety Enhancement Zones before the three
holidays. Letters outlining the designation, associated fines, penalties, and affected
provisions will be sent, on or before April 15, June 15, and August 15 to each address
and each owner of property (ownership determined based on the most recent property
tax information available to the City) within the Corona del Mar and West Newport Safety
Enhancement Zones.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of providing notices to residents three times per year in two locations of the City
will increase from $5,611 to approximately $36,000 per year. This cost will be expensed
to the City Manager's Office budget account number: 01020201-811008. Costs for
Memorial Day noticing will be absorbed in the current budget and the full cost for the three
holidays will be included future budgets.
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Designating a Portion of Corona del Mar as a Safety Enhancement Zone and
Expanding West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone to Include
Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day Holidays
February 25, 2025
Page 4
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 — Ordinance No. 2025-3
Attachment B — Redline of NBMC Chapter 1.04.060
12-4
ATTACHMENT A
ORDINANCE NO. 2025- 3
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING A
PORTION OF CORONA DEL MAR AS A SAFETY
ENHANCEMENT ZONE DURING THE MEMORIAL DAY,
FOURTH OF JULY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AND LABOR,
DAY HOLIDAYS AND EXPANDING THE WEST
NEWPORT SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ZONE TO INCLUDE
THE MEMORIAL DAY AND LABOR DAY HOLIDAYS BY
AMENDING SECTION 1.04.060 (SAFETY ENHANCEMENT
ZONE), CHAPTER 10.58 (POLICE SERVICES AT LARGE
PARTIES, GATHERINGS OR EVENTS ON PRIVATE
PROPERTY), AND SECTION 10.66.060 (VIOLATION -
PENALTY -CIVIL FINE) OF THE NEWPORT BEACH
MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach ("City") is a charter City, governed by a
charter adopted by the citizens of the City;
WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of California
("State") authorizes charter cities to enact ordinances with respect to their municipal
affairs;
WHEREAS, Section 200 of the 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;
WHEREAS, Section 1.04.060 (Safety Enhancement Zone) of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code ("NBMC") provides that the City Council may designate a
specific geographical area -as a "Safety Enhancement Zone" during a specific period
upon finding that the geographical area is subject to unique conditions and
circumstances that create the potential for a significant threat to the public health and
safety, and that the imposition of enhanced penalties for violations of the NBMC will
reduce the threat;
WHEREAS, each year, the City continues to experience a large number of
visitors,. heavy traffic, pedestrian and vehicle congestion, and unruly behavior on the
Memorial and Labor Day holidays, the weekends before the Memorial and Labor Day
holidays, as well as the July 4th Independence Day holiday (collectively "Holidays"),
which is due, in significant part, to the estimated 10,000 daily visitors to Corona del Mar
on these Holidays, with most people concentrated at Corona del Mar State Beach, Little
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Ordinance No. 2025-
Page 2 of 9
Corona del Mar Beach, Pirate's Cove Beach, Ocean Boulevard, and the surrounding
neighborhoods, as well as an estimated 50,000 daily visitors on these Holidays to the
Balboa Peninsula and West Newport Beach, with most people concentrated from Forty -
Fourth Street to the Newport Pier;
WHEREAS, the large gatherings in Corona del Mar, the Balboa Peninsula and
West Newport Beach during the Holidays and the unruly behavior of some visitors,
contributes to the consumption of alcohol in public areas and other violations of the
NBMC;
WHEREAS, for the Memorial Day holiday, in 2023 and 2024, the City's Police
Department received a combined total of 98 calls for service, made 5 arrests, and
issued 12 citations, for Corona del Mar reporting District 44 of Area 4, which area is
bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south, San Joaquin Hills Road on the north,
MacArthur Blvd. on the west and Hazel Drive on the east, ("the Proposed Corona Del
Mar Safety Enhancement Zone") and received 423 calls for service, made 41 arrests,
issued 14 citations, issued one Disturbance Advisement Card, and issued one Large
and Unruly Gathering citation in the West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone;
WHEREAS, for the July 4th Independence Day holiday, in 2023 and 2024, the
City's Police Department received a combined total of 79 calls for service, made 3
arrests, and issued 18 citations, in the Proposed Corona Del Mar Safety Enhancement
Zone, and received 646 calls for service, made 48 arrests, issued 288 citations, issued
five Disturbance Advisement Cards, and issued 5 Large and Unruly Gathering Citations
in the West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone;
WHEREAS, for the Labor Day holiday, in 2023 and 2024, the City's Police
Department received a combined total of 122 calls for service, made 9 arrests, and
issued 23 citations, in the Proposed Corona Del Mar Safety Enhancement Zone, and
received 440 calls for service, made 27 arrests, issued 41 citations, and issued one
Disturbance Advisement Card in the West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone;
WHEREAS, there are 569 active short term lodging permits that have been
issued to owners of properties located in the Proposed Corona Del Mar Safety
Enhancement Zone (108 permits) and the West Newport Safety Enhancement Zones
(461 permits);
WHEREAS, the significant number of short term lodging units, large parties, and
narrow streets in these zones, significantly contributes to unlawful behavior and impairs
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Ordinance No. 2025-
Page 3 of 9
the ability of paramedics and ambulances and other first responders to access these
zones in the event of an emergency, creating the potential for a major disturbance in
these areas on the Holidays;
WHEREAS, in the 2024 calendar year there have been 16 code enforcement
violations involving short term lodging permits in the Proposed Corona del Mar Safety
Enhancement Zone and 118 in the West Newport Beach Safety Enhancement Zone;
WHEREAS, the City's strategy to protect the public's health and safety in
Corona del Mar during the Holidays has, to date, been successful in preventing any
major disturbance but has not: (i) eliminated potentially dangerous situations from
developing; (ii) guaranteed that sufficient law enforcement personnel are present to
respond to, and quell, a major disturbance; or (iii) ensured that emergency medical
personnel will be able to access persons in need of medical assistance;
WHEREAS, while there is no single solution to the problems experienced in
Corona del Mar during the Holidays, the designation of a portion of Corona del Mar as a
Safety Enhancement Zone and the resulting increase in fines and penalties, the
prohibition against alcohol deliveries, and the additional responsibilities imposed on
occupants and owners to prevent unruly behavior, will further reduce the potential for a
major disturbance and help ensure that law enforcement and emergency medical
personnel will be able to quickly and effectively respond to any emergency;
WHEREAS, the existing West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone has proven,
over time, to be very successful in curbing unruly behavior, enhancing the quality of life
for residents, and improving the experience of visitors to the City on the 4th of July
Independence Day holiday;
WHEREAS, extending the effectiveness of the West Newport Safety
Enhancement Zone to include the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays will enhance
the quality of life for residents, and improve the experience of visitors to the City;
WHEREAS, the update to Section 1.04.060 (Safety Enhancement Zone) of the
NBMC requires modifications to Sections 10.58.010 (Findings and Purpose), 10.58.020
(Definitions), 10.28.030 (Police Services at Large Parties, Gatherings or Events
Requiring Second or Subsequent Responses), and 10.66.060 (Violation -Penalty -Civil
Fine) of the NBMC, to ensure consistent protection and enforcement in the Safety
Enhancement Zones;
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Ordinance No. 2025-
Page 4 of 9
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to continue to protect the public health,
safety and welfare by designating a portion of an area in Corona del Mar as a Safety
Enhancement Zone during the Holidays; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to continue to protect the public health,
safety and welfare by applying the regulations for the West Newport Safety
Enhancement Zone to the Memorial and Labor Day holidays.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach ordains as
follows:
Section 1: The City Council hereby finds that, based on the number of visitors,
the narrow streets, the voluminous and repetitive crimes, and calls for service that result
in advisements, citations and arrests by police officers, there is a significant threat to the
public health, safety, and welfare of visitors and residents, which threat to the public
would be reduced by imposing increased responsibilities on the part of residents and
occupants through enhanced penalties for violation of provisions of the NBMC, in (i) the
area designated as the West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone on the Holidays, as
well as (ii) the portions of Corona del Mar bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south,
San Joaquin Hills Road on the north, MacArthur Blvd. on the west and Hazel Drive on
the east, which is designated as Newport Beach Police Department Reporting District
44 of Area 4, as well as Pirate's Cove, Corona del Mar State Beach, and Little Corona
Beach (including the immediately adjacent parking lots and roads, stairs, and paths that
provide ingress/egress thereto), on the Holidays.
Section 2: Section 1.04.060 (Safety Enhancement Zone) of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
A. Designation Process. The City Council may by ordinance, or by resolution
upon a finding that there is a need to take action to protect the public health,
safety and welfare, designate a specific geographical area as a "Safety
Enhancement Zone" and specify the date and/or time that the designation is
effective upon a finding that the geographical area is subject to unique conditions
and circumstances during a specific period of time that create the potential for a
significant threat to public health and safety and that the threat would be reduced
by enhanced penalties for violations of provisions of this Code and increased
responsibilities on the part of residents and occupants in the area. The ordinance
or resolution establishing a Safety Enhancement Zone shall contain the following
provisions: (1) a description of the geographical area comprising the Safety
Enhancement Zone; (2) the date and time during which the Safety Enhancement
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Ordinance No. 2025-
Page 5 of 9
Zone designation is applicable to the geographical area; (3) the factual basis for
the designation; (4) the manner in which general notice of the Safety
Enhancement Zone and the penalties for violations shall be given; and (5) the
manner in which specific notice of additional duties, responsibilities and/or
restrictions shall be given to owners or occupants of property affected by the
Safety Enhancement Zone designation.
B. West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone. The City Council designates as a
Safety Enhancement Zone the area bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south,
32nd Street and Newport Boulevard on the east, Pacific Coast Highway on the
north and 54th Street on the west. This designation is effective from (i) from
12:01 a.m. on the last Saturday in May until 11:59 p.m. on the last Monday in
May ("Memorial Day") during each year that the designation is in effect; (ii) 12:01
a.m. on July 4th to 3:00 a.m. on July 5th during each year that the designation is
in effect; and (iii) from 12:01 a.m. on the Saturday before the first Monday in
September until 11:59 p.m. on the first Monday in September ("Labor Day")
during each year that the designation is in effect. The factual basis for this
designation is found in Ordinance 2025- and Ordinance 2003-5. Notice of
the Safety Enhancement Zone designation shall be posted on or before 6:00
p.m. on the Friday before Memorial and Labor Day, and on July 3rd and at no
less than three locations along Pacific Coast Highway, four locations along
Newport Boulevard/32nd Street, four locations along Oceanfront Walk/Seashore
Drive and two locations along 54th Street. In addition, letters advising of the
Safety Enhancement Zone designation and the fines, penalties and provisions
affected by the designation shall be sent, on or before April 15th, June 15th, and
August 15th, to each address and each owner of property (ownership determined
on the basis of the most recent property tax information available to the City)
within the Safety Enhancement Zone.
C. Corona del Mar Safety Enhancement Zone. The City Council designates as
a Safety Enhancement Zone the area bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the
south, San Joaquin Hills Road on the north, MacArthur Blvd. on the west and
Hazel Drive on the east, which is designated as Newport Beach Police
Department Reporting District 44 of Area 4, as well as Pirate's Cove, Corona del
Mar State Beach, and Little Corona Beach (including the immediately adjacent
parking lots and roads, stairs and paths that provide ingress/egress thereto).
This designation is effective from (i) from 12:01 a.m. on the last Saturday in May
until 11:59 p.m. on the last Monday in May ("Memorial Day") during each year
that the designation is in effect; (ii) 12:01 a.m. on July 4th to 3:00 a.m. on July 5th
12-9
Ordinance No. 2025-
Page 6 of 9
during each year that the designation is in effect; and (iii) from 12:01 a.m. on the
Saturday before the first Monday in September until 11:59 p.m. on the first
Monday in September ("Labor Day") during each year that the designation is in
effect. The factual basis for this designation is found in Ordinance 2025-
Notice of the Safety Enhancement Zone designation shall be posted on or before
6:00 p.m. on the Friday before Memorial and Labor Day, and on July 3rd at no
less than three locations along Pacific Coast Highway, and at least one location
on San Joaquin Hills Road, MacArthur Blvd., Hazel Drive, Pirates Cove, Corona
del Mar State Beach and Little Corona. In addition, letters advising of the Safety
Enhancement Zone designation and the fines, penalties and provisions affected
by the designation shall be sent, on or before April 15th, June 15th, and August
15th to each address and each owner of property (ownership determined on the
basis of the most recent property tax information available to the City) within the
Corona del Mar Safety Enhancement Zone.
Section 3: Section 10.58.010 (Findings and Purpose) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
The City Council finds and declares that:
A. The control of large parties, gatherings or events on private property is
necessary when such continued activity is determined to be a threat to the
peace, health, safety or general welfare of the public and the immediate control
of large parties, and the cessation of unruly or illegal behavior is essential -to
preventing a major disturbance on Memorial and Labor Day, the weekend before
Memorial and Labor Day, and the July 4th Independence Day holiday in the
Safety Enhancement Zones;
B. The City of Newport Beach is a tourist destination with numerous beach
rentals;
C. This influx of tourists results in many large parties, gatherings or events;
D. Frequently, Police Officers have been required to make multiple return calls
on the same date to the location of a party, gathering or event to disperse
uncooperative participants;
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Ordinance No. 2025
Page 7 of 9
E. Frequently, Police Officers have been required to make multiple calls to the
same location on different dates in response to repeated, large parties and
gatherings;
F. The return of Police Officers to a location constitutes a drain of manpower
and resources often leaving other areas of the City without police protection and,
in the case of the Safety Enhancement Zones on Memorial and Labor Day, the
weekends before Memorial and Labor Day, and the July 4th Independence Day
holiday, the return of Police Officers may be difficult if not impossible due to the
large crowds and the heavy workload of law enforcement personnel; and
G. The above conditions create a significant hazard to the safety of the Police
Officers and to peace, health, and safety of the public in general and, in the case
of the Safety Enhancement Zones, these conditions create an immediate
potential for a major disturbance that could result in serious injury or death to
members of the public and/or law enforcement personnel.
Section 4: Section 10.58.020 (Definitions) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code is hereby amended to add the following definition:
"Safety Enhancement Zone" or "Safety Enhancement Zones" means each Safety
Enhancement Zone established pursuant to Section 1.04.060.
Section 5: Section 10.58.030 (Police Services at Large Parties, Gatherings or
Events Requiring Second or Subsequent Responses) Subsection (C) of the Newport
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
C. In the case of a large patty, gathering or event on private property in a
Safety Enhancement Zone during the period that the designation is in effect, the
person or persons responsible for the party, event or gathering, the occupant or
occupants of the property and the owner or owners of the property are, jointly
and severably, responsible for immediately complying with a request from any
law enforcement officer to terminate all unruly or illegal behavior on the property
and shall be responsible, in addition to other fines and penalties provided by this
chapter, for the payment of a fine in the amount of three hundred dollars
($300.00) for each full ten (10) minute segment that unruly or illegal conduct
continues past the time that the law enforcement officer requests termination.
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Ordinance No. 2025-
Page 8 of 9
The initial call, or any subsequent call, may also result in the arrest and/or
citation of violators of the California Penal Code or other local regulations.
Section 6: Section 10.66.060 (Violation -Penalty -Civil Fine) Subsection B of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. The following civil fines shall be assessed for violations of Section
10.66.020(A) that occur within a Safety Enhancement Zone, as established by
Section 1.04.060:
1. A civil fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars
($1,500.00) for a first violation;
2. A civil fine not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) for a
second and any subsequent violations within ninety (90) days of the first
violation.
Section 7: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
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 Newport Beach Municipal
Code shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
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Ordinance No. 2025-
Page 9 of 9
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 25th day of February, 2025, and adopted on the 11th day
of March, 2025, by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES:
ABSENT:
JOE STAPLETON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LEILANI I. BROWN, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
IRON
TORNEY'S OFFICE
C. HARP, CI ATTORNEY
12-13
Attachment B
Chapter 1.04 (Code Enforcement)
1.04.060 Safety Enhancement Zone.
A. Designation Process. The City Council may by ordinance, or by resolution upon a finding that there is
a need to take immediate action to protect the public health, safety and welfare, designate a specific
geographical area as a "Safety Enhancement Zone" and specify the date and/or time that the designation
is effective upon a finding that the geographical area is subject to unique conditions and circumstances
during a specific period of time that create the potential for a significant threat to public health and safety
and that the threat would be reduced by enhanced penalties for violations of provisions of this Code and
increased responsibilities on the part of residents and occupants in the area. The ordinance or resolution
establishing a Safety Enhancement Zone shall contain the following provisions: (1) a description of the
geographical area comprising the Safety Enhancement Zone; (2) the date and time during which the Safety
Enhancement Zone designation is applicable to the geographical area; (3) the factual basis for the
designation; (4) the manner in which general notice of the Safety Enhancement Zone and the penalties for
violations shall be given; and (5) the manner in which specific notice of additional duties, responsibilities
and/or restrictions shall be given to owners or occupants of property affected by the Safety Enhancement
Zone designation.
B. West Newport Safety Enhancement Zone. The City Council designates as a Safety Enhancement Zone
the area bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south, 32nd Street and Newport Boulevard on the east,
Pacific Coast Highway on the north and 54th Street on the west. This designation is effective from (1) 12:01
a.m. on the last Saturday in May until 11:59 p.m. on the last Monday in May ("Memorial Day") during each
year that the designation is in effect; (ii) 12:01 a.m. on July 4th to 3:00 a.m. on July 5th during each year
that the designation is in effect; and (iii) from 12:01 a.m. on the Saturday before the first Monday in
September until 11:59 p.m. on the first Monday in September ("Labor Day") during each year that the
designation is in effect. The factual basis for this designation is found in Section I AOrdinance 2025-
and Ordinance 2003-5. Notice of the Safety Enhancement Zone designation shall be posted on or before
6:00 p.m. on the Friday before Memorial and Labor Day, and on July 3rd and at no less than three locations
along Pacific Coast Highway, four locations along Newport Boulevard/32nd Street, four locations along
Oceanfront Walk/Seashore Drive and two locations along 54th Street. In addition, letters advising of the
Safety Enhancement Zone designation and the fines, penalties and provisions affected by the designation
shall be sent, on or before April 15th, June 15th, and August 15th, to each address and each owner of
property (ownership determined on the basis of the most recent property tax information available to the
City) within the Safety Enhancement Zone.
C. Corona del Mar Safety Enhancement Zone. The City Council designates as a Safety Enhancement Zone
the area bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south, San Joaquin Hills Road on the north, MacArthur Blvd.
on the west and Hazel Drive on the east, which is designated as Newport Beach Police Department
Reporting District 44 of Area 4, as well as Pirate's Cove, Corona del Mar State Beach, and Little Corona
Beach (including the immediately adjacent parking lots and roads, stairs and paths that provide
ineress/eeress thereto). This designation is effective from (i) from 12:01 a.m. on the last Saturdav in Mav
until 11:59 p.m. on the last Monday in May ("Memorial Day") during each year that the designation is in
effect; (ii) 12:01 a.m. on July 4th to 3:00 a.m. on July 5th during each year that the designation is in effect;
and (iii) from 12:01 a.m. on the Saturdav before the first Mondav in September until 11:59 o.m. on the
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Attachment B
first Monday in September ("Labor Day") during each year that the designation is in effect. The factual
basis for this designation is found in Ordinance 2025- . Notice of the Safety Enhancement Zone
designation shall be posted on or before 6:00 p.m. on the Friday before Memorial and Labor Day, and on
July 3rd at no less than three locations along Pacific Coast Highway, and at least one location on San
Joaquin Hills Road, MacArthur Blvd., Hazel Drive, Pirates Cove, Corona del Mar State Beach and Little
Corona. In addition, letters advising of the Safety Enhancement Zone designation and the fines, penalties
and provisions affected by the designation shall be sent, on or before April 15th, June 15th, and August
15th to each address and each owner of property (ownership determined on the basis of the most recent
Property tax information available to the City) within the Corona del Mar Safety Enhancement Zone.
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Attachment B
Chapter 10.58 (Police Services at Large Parties, Gatherings or Events on Private Property)
10.58.010 Findings and Purpose.
The City Council finds and declares that:
A. The control of large parties, gatherings or events on private property is necessary when such
continued activity is determined to be a threat to the peace, health, safety or general welfare of the public
and the immediate control of large parties, and the cessation of unruly or illegal behavior is essential to
preventing a major disturbance on Memorial and Labor Day, the weekend before Memorial and Labor Day,
Ind gthe July 4th Independence Day holiday in the West "'ewpea Safety Enhancement Zene Zones;
B. The City of Newport Beach is a tourist destination with numerous beach rentals;
C. This influx of tourists results in many large parties, gatherings or events;
D. Frequently, Police Officers have been required to make multiple return calls on the same date to the
location of a party, gathering or event ;n order to disperse uncooperative participants;
E. Frequently, Police Officers have been required to make multiple calls to the same location on different
dates in response to repeated, large parties and gatherings;
F. The return of Police Officers to a location constitutes a drain of manpower and resources often leaving
other areas of the City without police protection and, in the case of West N eFt the Safety Enhancement
ZeeeZones on Memorial and Labor Day, the weekends before Memorial and Labor Day, and the July 4th
Independence Day holiday, the return of Police Officers may be difficult if not impossible due to the large
crowds and the heavy workload of law enforcement personnel; and
G. The above conditions create a significant hazard to the safety of the Police Officers and to peace,
health, and safety of the public in general and, in the case of the West "'ewpoFt Safety Enhancement
ZeneZones, these conditions create an immediate potential for a major disturbance that could result in
serious injury or death to members of the public and/or law enforcement personnel.
10.58.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
"Large party, gathering or event" means a group of persons who have assembled or are assembling for a
social occasion or for a social activity.
"Person responsible for the event" means the owner of the property where the large party, gathering or
event takes place, the person(s) in charge of the premises and/or the person(s) who organized the event.
If the person responsible for the event is a minor, then the parents or guardians of that minor will be jointly
and severally liable for the fines imposed for the special security assignment.
"Safety Enhancement Zone" or "Safety Enhancement Zones" means each Safety Enhancement Zone
established pursuant to Section 1.04.060.
"Special security assignment" means the assignment of Police Officers in response to a return or
subsequent calls after the distribution of a written warning that a large party, gathering or event violates
the law.
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Attachment B
10.58.030(C) Police Services at Large Parties, Gatherings or Events Requiring Second or Subsequent
Responses.
C. In the case of a large party, gathering or event on private property in the West "'^ • ^^�* a Safety
Enhancement Zone during the period that the designation is in effect, the person or persons responsible
for the party, event or gathering, the occupant or occupants of the property and the owner or owners of
the property are, jointly and severably, responsible for immediately complying with a request from any
law enforcement officer to terminate all unruly or illegal behavior on the property and shall be responsible,
in addition to other fines and penalties provided by this chapter, for the payment of a fine in the amount
of three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each full ten (10) minute segment that unruly or illegal conduct
continues past the time that the law enforcement officer requests termination.
The initial call, or any subsequent call, may also result in the arrest and/or citation of violators of the
California Penal Code or other local regulations.
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Attachment B
Chapter 10.66 (Loud and Unruly Gatherings)
10.66.060(B) Violation -Penalty -Civil Fine.
B. The following civil fines shall be assessed for violations of Section 10.66.020(A) that occur
within the `^'^s;* NIp-;.Ajl3,e+tq Safety Enhancement Zone, as established by Section 1.04.060:
1. A civil fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for a first
violation,
2. A civil fine not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) for a second and any
subsequent violations within ninety (90) days of the first violation.
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