Chapter 15.02 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

The City Council adopts and incorporates by reference, as though set forth in full in this section, Chapter 1, Division II, of the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code as published by the International Code Council.

The various parts of this chapter, including additions, amendments and deletions adopted in this chapter, shall constitute and be known as the “Newport Beach Administrative Code.” A copy of the 2025 California Building Code printed in code book form shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Official pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 18942(e)(1) and made available for public inspection. (Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.020. Amendment to Section 101.1.

Section 101.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Newport Beach Administrative Code, hereinafter referred to as “this code.”

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.030. (Reserved) (Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.040. Amendment to Section 101.4.4.

Section 101.4.4 is amended to read as follows:

Section 101.4.4 Property Maintenance. The provisions of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code shall be adopted as the Newport Beach Property Maintenance Code and shall apply to existing structures and premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators

and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.050. Amendment to Section 102.6.

Section 102.6 is amended to read as follows:

Section 102.6 Existing Structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as otherwise specifically provided in this code, the California Existing Building Code, the International Property Maintenance Code, California Building Code, the California Residential Code, or the California Fire Code, or as deemed necessary by the Building Official.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 15.02.060 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION § 15.02.085

§ 15.02.060. Addition of Section 102.7.

Section 102.7 is added to read as follows:

Section 102.7 Remodel or Renovation. If the valuation of the permit for the remodel or renovation of a building is equal to or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of such building, then the entire building shall comply with the Code provisions for new construction. Exceptions: 1. This provision does not apply for permit valuations less than $350,000; 2. The Building Official is authorized to accept less than the requirements for new construction if substantial conformance to the requirements is found and the protection of life and property are maintained. 3. This provision shall not apply to projects that meet the criteria set forth in Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 20.38.060(A)(3) and are not located in a Special Flood Hazard Area per the latest revision of the Federal Insurance Rate Map.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.070. Amendment to Section 103.1.

Section 103.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 103.1 Creation of Enforcement Agency. The Building Division is hereby created

and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the Building Official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.080. Amendment to Section 105.2.

Subsection 2 of the portion entitled “Building” in Section 105.2 is amended to read as follows:

2. Masonry or concrete fences not over 3.5 feet (1,066.8 mm) high above lowest adjacent grade and not within 3 feet of the property line, and all other fences not over 6 feet (1,828.8

mm) in height above lowest adjacent grade except when used as a pool barrier.

Subsection 9 of the portion entitled “Building” in Section 105.2 is amended to read as follows:

9. Prefabricated swimming pools or hot tubs spas accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, or water features, containing less than 18 inches of water depth, do not exceed 5,000 gallons

and are installed entirely above ground; unless otherwise required by other provisions of the code.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.085. Addition of Section 105.3.1.1.

Section 105.3.1.1 is added as follows:

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 15.02.085 NEWPORT BEACH CODE § 15.02.095

Section 105.3.1.1 Construction and Demolition Waste Permits. Prior to issuance of a building permit for construction having a valuation over $100,000 or a demolition permit for complete demolition of a structure, the permittee shall certify that a City franchised solid waste hauler shall be used for the handling, removal and disposal of all construction and demolition waste. A permit deposit and fees, set by resolution of the City Council, shall be paid at the time of submitting the building or demolition permit application and the Construction and Demolition Waste Certification and Deposit Form. Said deposit shall be returned to the permittee at the conclusion of the construction or demolition project, upon the submittal of documentation that a franchised solid waste hauler was used to handle, remove and dispose of all construction and demolition waste. Claims for refund of the permit deposit, that qualify, must be six (6) months from the date the permit receives a final status from the Building Division. The permit deposit shall be forfeited in its entirety if the identified franchised solid waste hauler is not used to handle, remove and dispose of all construction and demolition waste or a request for refund is not submitted within the time set forth herein. If the Building Official finds that the work described in an application for a building or demolition permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and the technical codes and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in Section 109 have been paid and that a franchised solid waste hauler is being used, the Building Official shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant. Prior to any construction or demolition activities authorized by the permit, the permittee shall notify the Community Development Department’s Code Enforcement Division no less than twenty-four (24) hours or more than seventy-two (72) hours in advance of its intent to commence construction or demolition and provide the name of the franchised solid waste hauler that will haul and dispose of the construction and demolition waste. Any hauling or disposal of demolition and construction waste by other than the identified franchised solid waste hauler shall subject the project to suspension of work as authorized in this Code and subject the deposit to forfeiture. If good causes exist, as determined in the sole discretion of the Building Official, the Building Official may extend the deadlines set forth in this section.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2023-22 § 692, 2023; Ord. 2024-13 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2024-25 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.090. Amendment to Section 105.3.2.

Section 105.3.2 is amended to read as follows:

Section 105.3.2 Time Limitation of Application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the Building Official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding one hundred eighty (180) days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.095. Addition of Sections 105.3.3, 105.3.4, and 105.3.5.

Section 105.3.3 is added to read as follows:

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 15.02.095 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION § 15.02.095

Section 105.3.3 Time Limit on Permitted Construction.

For any one-unit or two-unit dwelling for which a tentative and final tract map is not required, the maximum allowable time to complete construction for any work that requires a building permit including, but not limited to, any construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, renovation, addition(s), modification(s), improvement(s), or alteration(s), shall be limited to three (3) years, unless an extension is granted in accordance with Section 105.3.4. The time limit to complete construction shall begin on the date of issuance of the first or original building permit. Final inspection and approval of the construction work by the City shall mark the date of construction completion for purposes of Section 15.02.095. Time limits set forth herein shall not be extended by issuance of a subsequent building permit(s) for the same project.

Section 105.3.4 is added to read as follows:

Section 105.3.4 Extension of Time Limit to Complete Construction. The maximum allowable time to complete construction, as set forth in Section 105.3.3, may be extended as follows: 1. Application for Extension to Building Official. a) A property owner, or authorized agent of the property owner, may request an extension by filing with the Building Official, in writing and on a form provided by the Building Official, an application for extension which sets forth: (i) the address of the project site; (ii) the name of the applicant and property owner; (iii) when the first or original building permit was issued; (iv) the length of time extension requested, which shall not be greater than one hundred eighty (180) calendar days; (v) how many previous extensions have been granted; (vi) criteria that establish the cause(s) of delay and the reason for the extension request; (vii) a comprehensive completion schedule; (viii) a brief description of the improvements that are the subject of the application; (ix) past complaints and enforcement history; and (x) any other information requested by the City. b) Unless authorized by the Building Official in writing, an application for extension shall be submitted no later than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the expiration of the building permit. The application for extension to the Building Official shall be accompanied by a fee adopted by resolution of the City Council. c) Within forty-five (45) days of a request for extension, the Building Official may ministerially grant, conditionally grant or deny a request for extension for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) calendar days with a maximum of two extensions being granted by the Building Official under this subsection. The Building Official shall only grant an extension if he/she determines adequate progress has been made towards completion of construction and the request for extension is necessary for its completion. The decision of the Building Official shall be final and non-appealable. 2. Application for Additional Extension(s).

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 15.02.095 NEWPORT BEACH CODE § 15.02.095

a) If construction of the project has not been completed within the timeframe authorized by the Building Official, a property owner, or authorized agent of the property owner, may request an additional extension by filing with the City Clerk, in writing and on a form provided by the City Clerk, an application for extension which sets forth: (i) the address of the project site; (ii) the name of the applicant and property owner; (iii) when the first or original building permit was issued; (iv) the length of time extension requested, which shall not be greater than one hundred eighty (180) calendar days; (v) how many previous extensions have been granted; (vi) criteria that establishes the cause(s) of delay and the reason for the extension request; (vii) a comprehensive completion schedule; (viii) a brief description of the improvements that are the subject of the application; (ix) past complaints and enforcement history; and (x) any other information requested by the City. b) Unless authorized by the Building Official in writing, an application for extension shall be submitted no later than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the expiration of the building permit. c) An application for extension filed with the City Clerk shall be accompanied by a hearing and noticing fee adopted by resolution of the City Council. 3. Scheduling and Noticing. a) For an application for an additional extension set forth in subsection 2, a Hearing Officer, designated by the City Manager, shall hear and decide whether a third application for extension, or fourth application for extension, shall be granted, conditionally granted, or denied. The City Council shall hear and decide whether any additional application for extension, beyond four total extensions, shall be granted, conditionally granted or denied. The applicable hearing body shall be referred to herein as the “review authority.” b) For any application for extension to be heard by a Hearing Officer, the City Manager shall appoint a Hearing Officer with the requisite qualifications and experience to consider the application for extension. The Hearing Officer shall not be a City employee and the employment, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits of the Hearing Officer, if any, shall not be conditioned, either directly or indirectly, upon the outcome of any decision by the Hearing Officer. Within seven (7) calendar days of the City Clerk’s receipt of an application for extension, the City Manager or his/her designee shall notify the applicant of the name of the Hearing Officer in accordance with Section 1.08.080. If the applicant wishes to challenge the designated Hearing Officer, the applicant shall have seven (7) calendar days from the date of service of the notice to submit to the City Manager a request, in writing, to disqualify the Hearing Officer, which sets forth the basis for disqualification. A Hearing Officer may only be disqualified for: (i) bias; (ii) prejudice; (iii) a conflict of interest; or (iv) a reason for which a judge may be disqualified after a showing of good cause under the laws of the State of California. The City Manager will review any request for disqualification and decide as to whether a Hearing Officer shall be disqualified. The City Manager’s decision shall be final. If the City Manager disqualifies a Hearing Officer, the City Manager shall designate a new Hearing Officer in accordance with the procedures in this subsection. c) The applicant shall be notified of the time and place set for the hearing of the application, in accordance with Section 1.08.080, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing. All hearings on an application to be heard by the review authority shall be noticed in the following manner:

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 15.02.095 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION § 15.02.095

(i) Mailed to property owners within three hundred (300) feet of the project site that is the subject of the application, at least ten (10) calendar days in advance of the hearing. The notice shall contain: the address of the project site; the length of time extension requested; the new end project date if the application is approved; the name of the applicant and property owner; a brief description of the improvements; the date, time, and place of the hearing; and a statement informing the person they have the ability to attend the hearing and provide comments; and (ii) Posted by the applicant at the project site, that is the subject of the application, at least ten (10) calendar days before the scheduled hearing. The size, location and number of sign(s) shall be posted as determined by the City Manager. The applicant shall be responsible for maintaining the sign(s) in a satisfactory condition and shall remove all sign(s) within twenty-four (24) hours following the conclusion of the hearing. The failure of any person or entity to receive notice given in compliance with this subsection shall not invalidate the actions of the applicable review authority. 4. Conduct of Hearing. a) A hearing shall be held at the date, time, and place for which notice was given. b) The review authority shall only consider evidence and testimony, presented by the applicant or any other interested person, relevant to whether: (i) special circumstances warrant an extension of time; (ii) the failure to meet the time limit was caused by circumstances beyond the property owner’s, applicant’s or their contractor’s control; and (iii) any approval should contain conditions to ensure timely completion of the project in a manner that limits impacts on surrounding property owners. Any documents submitted by City staff shall constitute prima facie evidence of the respective facts contained in those documents. c) The review authority may grant, or conditionally grant, up to a one hundred and eighty (180) calendar day extension, per application for extension, if it finds special circumstances warrant an extension of time or the failure to meet the time limit was caused by circumstances beyond the property owner’s, applicant’s or their contractor’s control. If the review authority makes the findings to grant an extension, the review authority shall consider whether conditions are necessary to ensure timely completion of the project in a manner that limits impacts on surrounding property owners. The review authority shall deny the application if it cannot make the findings set forth in this subsection. d) A hearing may be continued without further notice, provided the Hearing Officer or chair of the review authority announces the date, time, and place to which the hearing will be continued before the adjournment or recess of the hearing. e) The review authority may announce a tentative decision and defer its action on a final decision until appropriate findings and/or conditions of approval have been prepared. f) The review authority shall issue a written decision, setting forth its findings, and the decision shall be final and effective on the date the decision is made, unless otherwise specified by the review authority. The review authority shall provide the City Clerk with its final decision within three (3) calendar days of the date of decision and the City Clerk shall mail a copy of the final decision to the applicant within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the final decision. 5. Judicial Proceeding.

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 15.02.095 NEWPORT BEACH CODE § 15.02.110

Nothing herein shall prohibit the Building Official from issuing a building permit or extending a building permit if the extension is a term of an enforceable settlement agreement

between the City and the property owner or a term of a court order/judgment. 6. Judicial Review. The decision of the review authority shall not be appealable to any City body. A person shall not seek judicial review related to any application for extension until the person has first exhausted all administrative procedures set forth in Section 15.02.095.

Section 105.3.5 is added to read as follows:

Section 105.3.5 Correlation with Codes. Sections 105.3.3 or 105.3.4 limit the total time to complete construction and shall not relieve

any person or entity from complying with any other applicable provision of federal, state or local law including, but not limited to, construction related laws adopted by the City.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2023-22 § 693, 2023; Ord. 2025-5 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.100. Amendment to Section 105.5.

Section 105.5 is amended to read as follows:

Section 105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the last recorded inspection. Before such work can be recommenced, the permit shall be first reissued, and the permittee shall pay a new permit fee. Except for instances where permits for suspended or abandoned

work have had previous inspections recorded, the fee shall be one half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original approved plans and specifications for such work; and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. Permits shall not be renewed more than once. The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one (1) or more extensions of time, for periods not more than one hundred eighty (180) days each. The extension shall be requested minimum fifteen (15) days prior to the permit expiration in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.110. Amendment to Section 109.4.

Section 109.4 is amended to read as follows:

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 15.02.110 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION § 15.02.120

Section 109.4 Work Commencing Before Permit Issuance. Any person who commences

any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to an investigation fee in addition to the required permit fees. The investigation fee shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required in the City Council fee resolution. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt an applicant from compliance with all applicable provisions of either the codes or referenced standards or the technical codes nor from the penalty prescribed by law.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

§ 15.02.120. Addition of Section 117.

Section 117 is added to read as follows:

Section 117—Demolition of Entire Structure Section 117.1 Notification. When an entire structure is to be demolished, notification by certified mail to adjacent owners is required at least thirty (30) days before demolition

commences. Proof of notification is required prior to permit issuance. Unless determined otherwise by the Building Official.

(Ord. 2022-26 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2025-23 § 1, 2025)

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City of Newport Beach, CA