Title
UTILITY AND MECHANICAL ROOM GROSS FLOOR AREA EXCLUSION AMENDMENT (PA2026-0159)
Site Location: Citywide
Recommendation
Summary:
Consistent with the City Council’s initiation on August 25, 2026, the proposed amendments to Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) and Title 21 (Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code (NBMC) would authorize the Community Development Director to exclude utility and mechanical equipment rooms from the gross floor area of a nonresidential structure. The exclusion would be limited to a maximum of 10% of the total gross floor area.
Recommended Actions:
1. Conduct a public hearing
2. Find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21065 of the California Public Resources Code and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment), 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a projects as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines). The proposed action is also exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3) because it has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment; and
3. Adopt Resolution No. PC2026-030 (Attachment No. PC1) recommending the City Council approve the Zoning Code Amendment and authorize staff to submit the Local Coastal Program Amendment to the California Coastal Commission (PA2026-0159).