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Newport Beach council adopts 2026 fee updates; staff says changes will raise roughly $937,000
Summary
The City Council unanimously approved a package of fee schedule updates across Community Development, Police and Fire intended to improve cost recovery and clarify fee structures; staff estimated about $937,000 in additional revenue next fiscal year and set effective dates tied to statutory notice periods.
The Newport Beach City Council on May 12 approved staff recommendations to revise multiple user fees across departments, a package staff said will produce about $937,000 in additional revenue in the coming fiscal year.
Abigail Marron, a budget analyst in Administrative Services, presented the study and said the community development changes would generate roughly $316,000, police schedule adjustments about $35,000 and fire changes about $143,000; staff also reported estimated revenue impact from short‑term lodging fee updates of $443,000. Marron told the council the building and development fees would be effective July 25 to comply with California Government Code section 66017 and that most other fee changes could take effect July 1.
The update includes several specific items: clarifying plan‑review components within community development fees; a proposed e‑bike impound release fee and consolidation of police report fees; removal of an obsolete bike license fee; new fire fees such as a care‑facility lift‑assist fee (with one free assist per calendar year) and changes to hazard materials and inspection billing practices; and a phased increase in the junior lifeguard program fee toward full cost recovery.
During public comment, members of the public and stakeholders raised several questions: one commenter noted an e‑bike diversion program referenced in prior ordinance language but not reflected in the current fee table; another asked why the junior lifeguard program is being moved toward full cost recovery while other training programs remain subsidized. Council members discussed the medics program and encouraged residents to sign up for the low‑cost program described during the meeting.
The council voted unanimously to adopt the fee changes as presented. Staff said they will implement the changes in accordance with the dates explained in the presentation, noting statutory waiting periods for building and development fees. Council asked staff to ensure any related diversion programs or fee‑linked programs are aligned with the fee schedule and implementation steps.
Ending: Staff will return with second‑reading ordinances where required; most fee changes are expected to be effective with the new fiscal year and building/development fees after the required notice period.
