Community Members:

The construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) gives homeowners an opportunity to improve their properties while making a positive contribution to broader community goals. These secondary housing units, either attached to or detached from the primary residence, offer a multitude of benefits that make them an attractive option for private property owners.

The City of Newport Beach has made it easier than ever for private property owners to construct new ADUs or legalize unpermitted ADUs that meet health and safety codes. Through the end of this year, the City is waiving all City-related fees associated with the construction of ADUs, such as plan check and building fees. 

The City recently developed a comprehensive website, at newportbeachca.gov/adu, that gives interested property owners a step-by-step guide to building an ADU, from design and construction to permitting and renting. We have also produced a new, short video to explain the benefits of an ADU and how to get started. 

Constructing an ADU can increase property value and add rental income, provide housing solutions for aging family members, or give young adults a foothold in the housing market. It also helps meet statewide housing goals in a way that preserves the character of our neighborhoods. 

If you are considering building an ADU, or legalizing an unpermitted one, I encourage you to watch the video and visit the website to get started. For questions, please call the City's Community Development Department at 949-644-3200 or email questions directly to a member of the City's planning staff.

City Manager, Grace K. Leung

City staff and contractors began working on a project to rehabilitate pavement at Balboa and Newport Boulevards and 32nd Street. 

Phase 1 – Balboa Boulevard between 12th and 16th Streets – will be completed by mid-August, before the start of the new school year. 

Improvements include repaving the asphalt roadway, replacing deteriorated sidewalks and curbs, and replacing curb access ramps. The project will include widening of sidewalks at the corners of 13th and 14th Streets on Balboa Boulevard, with new pedestrian crossing signs and flashing LED beacons to improve pedestrian access adjacent to Newport Elementary School.

The City appreciates the community's patience and understanding as we work to enhance the Peninsula infrastructure. Phase 2 of the project is scheduled to begin after Labor Day.

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, June 25. Items of interest are highlighted below. The entire agenda and reports can be viewed here.

The regular meeting will begin at 4 p.m. Agenda items include:

• A resolution allowing the Newport Beach Police Department to close selected streets and parking lots as needed during the upcoming July 4 holiday. This item would allow temporary closures or traffic diversions from Back Bay Drive; the 100 block of Orange Street from traffic off of Pacific Coast Highway; San Joaquin Hills Road between Back Bay Drive and the entrance to the Park Newport Apartment complex; and Via Malaga between Via Oporto and Via Lido.
• Acceptance of artwork from the Newport Beach Sister City Association. In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Newport Beach's Sister City friendship with Okazaki, Japan, the association commissioned artist Pierce Meehan to create Indivisible, a mixed media piece, for donation to the City. The City Arts Commission previously approved the acceptance of the piece into the City art inventory and the Board of Library Trustees agreed to install it in the Passport Office at the Central Library.
• Approval of the collection of certain sewer and recycling fees through the property tax roll. About 5,600 sewer and/or recycling customer accounts do not currently receive a water bill from the City of Newport Beach. Enrolling these types of charges on the property tax roll is a common practice, particularly in instances where a customer is not receiving water service from the billing agency. Such charges are billed as part of the normal property tax billing as an add-on charge.
• Annual appointments to various City board and commission seats whose terms expire June 30. As directed by City Council policy, a Council ad hoc committee interviewed applicants and made nominating recommendations for the vacancies
  (with the exception of the Civil Service Board seats, which were nominated by police and fire associations, as outlined in the City Charter). The Council will consider approving nominations to the following boards and commissions: Board of Library Trustees; Building and Fire Board of Appeals; City Arts Commission; Civil Service Board; Harbor Commission; Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission; and Planning Commission.