Newport Beach approves reforms for short-term rentals, up for review by state Coastal Commission

Newport Island resident Gary Cruz points out parking congestion in February that he says is exacerbated by short-term rentals on the densely populated island. In a 4-3 vote, the Newport Beach City Council passed another set of reforms aimed at restricting short-term rentals in the city, but at least two of the additional regulations will have to come before the state Coastal Commission before they can be implemented locally. Raising the age minimum requirement and the parking ticket rule will go into effect in 30 days upon final approval expected at the City Council’s next meeting on Oct. 27, but introducing a cap on the number of permits and minimum night stay will need to go before the Coastal Commission before they can be implemented locally. City Council members also voted to have city staff bring back options to possibly freeze issuance of permits on Newport Island and transition to owner-occupied and owner-operated short-term rental units over a 12-month period on Newport Island after approval by the state Coastal Commission. A staff report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting said the city has 1,500 active short-term lodging permits in Newport Beach, including 1,436 on coastal zone properties and 64 on non-coastal zone properties.