What's Happening in Newport Beach, CA…

Newport Beach officials, residents, boaters, and mooring permitees have been discussing potential revisions to the city’s Harbor Code, and recently met to discuss the issue.

The Chair of the Harbor Commission, Bill Kenney, joined with Carol Jacobs, the city manager; Kurt Borsting, Harbormaster; and commissioners Don Yahn and Paul Blank to host the meeting. This was the second in a series of discussions.

The latest meeting, and the one before, reviewed a number of sections of the code relating to such matters as vessel launching, berthing, regulations for harbor use, general provisions, and more. The Harbor Commission will consider these sections again, as well as any changes that have been proposed, at upcoming meetings of the Harbor Commission and the city council.

Upcoming meetings will discuss other sections of the code dealing with enforcement, appeals, dredging, sanitation, live-aboard, and harbor development permits. Officials can use flyer printing to create agendas for upcoming discussions.

The single issue that seems to be creating the most discussion is how to define a houseboat, and what the difference is between them and liveaboard vessels. The code at present explains that the term “houseboat” means a structure on a waterway that is not mostly used as a means of transportation, while a “liveaboard” vessel is one that is primarily used for transport. The code forbids houseboats in Newport Harbor. Most boaters seem concerned that the harbor could be filled with what they see as floating homes.