Vision:
A responsive, knowledgeable team of professionals guiding community development in the public interest.
The function of the Planning Department is to promote and enhance the well-being of residents, visitors, property owners, and businesses of the City of Newport Beach. The department accomplishes its mission through programs that encourage high quality development as well as maintenance and revitalization of existing neighborhoods. The Planning Department consists of two divisions: Planning and Economic Development.
While the General Plan's function is to guide the overall form of the City, specific development standards are contained in the Zoning Code. The Zoning Code regulates size and height of buildings, as well as specific types of uses establishes the procedures for development approvals such as Use Permits, Modifications, and Variances. Modifications are minor deviances from Zoning Code standards such as setback encroachments and fences exceeding the height limit.
Depending on the nature of a proposal, development approval may be issued by the Planning Director, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Commission or the City Council. Typically the more simple proposals may be approved by the Director or the Zoning Administrator, while more complex projects require approval by the Planning Commission or City Council.
The Zoning Administrator is a Planning Department designee. The Planning Commission is a committee of seven residents appointed by the City Council to review matters such as Use Permits, Variances, and higher-level Planning and Zoning decisions. Larger or more complex development projects involving General Plan or zoning amendments, Specific Area Plans, and special issues such as affordable housing are reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council.