Newport Beach Municipal Code § 2.12.010 Departments Designated

[1]

Prior ordinance history: Ords. 2001-14, 95-11, 93-26, 86-25, 1884, 1826, 1781, 1780, 1602, 1382, 1223, 1060; 1949 Code §§ 2401—2411 and 3400.

Utilities department—See Chapter 14.04.

Traffic division—See Chapter 2.32.

Health department duties—See Title 6.

The administrative functions of the City is divided into the following departments:

Administrative Services Department

Community Development Department

Fire Department

Harbor Department

Library Services Department

Municipal Operations Department

Police Department

Public Works Department

Recreation and Senior Services Department

Utilities Department

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2018-8 § 2, 2018; Ord. 2018-11 § 2, 2018; Ord. 2025-37, 1/13/2026)

All department directors, except the City Attorney and the City Clerk, shall be subject to the administrative authority and direction of the City Manager.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011)

The Administrative Services Department shall be under the supervision of the Administrative Services Director, who shall have charge of financial and human resources affairs of the City. The functions of the Administrative Services Department, in addition to those duties imposed on the Finance Director and the City Treasurer by the City Charter, shall include:

A. Enforcement of the City's business license and transient occupancy tax regulations;

B. Management of the City's finances, financial statements, audits, revenue collection and billing, financial management system budget, payroll, accounting, cashiering, treasury and investments;

C. Purchase of supplies, equipment, training, and services used by City departments;

D. Disposal of obsolete and surplus City property;

E. Management of the City's parking program, including meters and lots;

F. Establishment and maintenance of the City's personnel policies, employee classifications and compensation policies and other conditions of employment to assist the City Manager in carrying out the provisions of Chapters 2.24 and 2.28;

G. Advise and serve as liaison to the Civil Service Board; and

H. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2023-22 § 49, 2023; Ord. 2025-37, 1/13/2026)

The Community Development Department shall be under the supervision of the Community Development Director. The functions of the Community Development Department shall include:

A. Administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Code relating to planning, zoning and subdivisions, nuisance abatement and code enforcement, and advising and assisting the Planning Commission in such administration vested in that Commission;

B. Administration and enforcement of the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes, including grading and swimming pool regulations;

C. Administration and enforcement of State regulations governing energy conservation and sound transmission;

D. Preparation and presentation of reports to the City Council and the Planning Commission on various aspects of city planning;

E. Preparation and maintenance of the General Plan;

F. Advising the public on zoning and planning matters;

G. Receipt and processing of subdivision maps; and

H. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2023-22 § 50, 2023; Ord. 2025-37, 1/13/2026)

The Fire Department shall be under the supervision of the Fire Chief. The functions of the Fire Department shall include:

A. Administration.

1. Ensure fulfillment of the Fire Department mission through planning, preparation, designation of funding, and securing of equipment and materials required to support personnel, operations, and programs.

2. Prepare residents for disasters and emergencies through community preparedness programs.

B. Prevention.

1. Identify and prevent hazards to life, health, property and the environment.

2. Apply and enforce California State laws and local ordinances.

3. Plan and prepare City staff and residents to address potential disasters.

C. Operations.

1. Respond to and mitigate all threats to life, health, property and the environment.

2. Provide training and education to support expertise and safe operations.

3. Monitor for quality assurance.

D. Lifeguards.

1. Respond to and mitigate all threats to life and health on the City beaches and waterways.

2. Provide training and education to support expertise and safe operations.

E. Collaborate with the Orange County Harbor Patrol and/or the U.S. Coast Guard to prevent and/or respond to accidents of a marine nature within the City limits or contiguous unincorporated territory under County contractual agreements.

F. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2023-22 § 51, 2023)

The Harbor Department shall be under the supervision of the Harbormaster who shall serve as the head of the Department. The functions of the Harbor Department shall include:

A. Management of the City's resources in Newport Harbor, including administration of Title 17;

B. Operation of a headquarters at Marina Park or other location selected by the City Manager;

C. Patrol of Newport Harbor;

D. Provision of code enforcement on the waters of Newport Harbor;

E. Management of the City's marinas, moorings, docks, wharfs and visitor-serving harbor facilities and amenities;

F. Promotion of harbor and boating safety;

G. Addressing inquiries from residents and visitors regarding Newport Harbor;

H. Management of City-owned marinas;

I. Providing staff to act as the liaison to the City's Harbor Commission;

J. Management of a pollution prevention program in Newport Harbor; and

K. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager.

(Ord. 2018-11 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2023-22 § 55, 2023; Ord. 2025-37, 1/13/2026. Formerly 2.12.120)

The Library Services Department shall be under the supervision of the Library Services Director/City Librarian. The functions of the Library Services Department shall include:

A. Advise the Board of Library Trustees;

B. Advise the City Arts Commission;

C. Operation and management of the City’s libraries, including selection, organization and dissemination of materials in all formats—print, multi-media and electronic publishing;

D. Operation of the City’s literacy program;

E. Planning coordination and direction of the community cultural activities; and

F. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011)

A. The Municipal Operations Department shall be under the supervision of the Municipal Operations Director. The functions of the Municipal Operations Director shall include:

B. Street and beach maintenance and cleaning;

C. Administration and enforcement of State regulations and provisions of this Code related to the collection, transport, diversion and disposal of solid waste;

D. Maintenance and repair of streets, alleys, curbs, sidewalks, bridges, piers, bulkheads and floats;

E. Maintenance and repair of City equipment;

F. Signage and carpentry;

G. Maintenance of street striping, barricade, curb, crosswalk, and parking stall painting;

H. Street name and regulation sign posting and maintenance;

I. Custodial maintenance and repair services for City buildings and facilities;

J. Landscaping and maintenance of City parks, parkway trees, and planted areas on City-owned property, easements and rights-of-way; and

K. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2025-37, 1/13/2026)

The Police Department shall be under the supervision of the Police Chief. The Police Department may have only such sworn, reserve and civilian personnel as the City Council shall authorize. The functions of the Police Department shall include:

A. Prevention, repression and investigation of crime;

B. Apprehension of offenders;

C. Recovery of property;

D. Traffic law enforcement and parking control;

E. Animal control;

F. Dispatch;

G. Custody of lost, stolen, and recovered property; and

H. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011)

The Public Works Department shall be under the supervision of the Public Works Director who shall also be the City Engineer Pro Tem. The functions of the Public Works Department shall include:

The Public Works Department shall be under the supervision of the Public Works Director who shall also be the City Engineer Pro Tem. The functions of the Public Works Department shall include:

A. Planning, installation, design, preparation, review and approval of plans, specifications and working details, operations and maintenance, and administration of contracts for the construction of public works, including streets, storm drains, water quality sewers, water, harbors, street lighting, traffic signals and other public facilities;

B. Right-of-way acquisition;

C. Subdivision engineering and development services;

D. Traffic engineering services;

E. Engineering services for other City departments;

F. Engineering planning for water, sewer and electrical systems;

G. Water quality inspections and reporting as required by law;

H. Activities over and management of the City's tidelands assets in Upper and Lower Newport Bay;

I. Street striping, and barricade, curb, crosswalk, parking stall, and pavement painting; and

J. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2018-6 § 2, 2018; Ord. 2018-8 § 4, 2018; Ord. 2023-22 § 54, 2023; Ord. 2025-37, 1/13/2026)

The Recreation and Senior Services Department shall be under the supervision of the Recreation and Senior Services Director. The functions of the Recreation and Senior Services Department shall include:

A. Advise and liaison to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission;

B. Planning coordination and direction of community recreational activities;

C. Operation and control of all parks, recreation, and senior services facilities over which the City exercises jurisdiction;

D. Master planning for the acquisition and development of park and recreational facilities;

E. Education and enforcement of park and park facility related provisions of this Code; and

F. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2025-30 § 1, 2025)

The Utilities Department shall be under the supervision of the Utilities Director. The functions of the Utilities Department shall include:

A. Maintenance and operation of the City water system;

B. Maintenance and operation of the City sewer system;

C. Maintenance and operation of the City's street sweeping program;

D. Maintenance and operation of the City's storm drain system;

E. Maintenance and operation of the City street lighting system;

F. Maintenance of backup electrical equipment in City buildings;

G. Management of the City's oil and gas operations;

H. Management of the regulations found in Title 14; and

I. Such other functions as may be delegated by the City Manager or the City Council.

(Ord. 2011-17 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2018-6 §§ 1, 3, 2018; Ord. 2018-8 § 3, 2018; Ord. 2023-22 § 53, 2023; Ord. 2025-37, 1/13/2026. Formerly 2.12.080.)