Newport Beach City Council to review cottage preservation ordinance after Coastal Commission OKs it

The cottage preservation ordinance returns to the Newport Beach City Council dais Tuesday after it received approval from the state Coastal Commission, with some suggested changes.

Discussions on the ordinance came about in 2019 when residents raised concerns about the disappearance of small, residential cottages throughout the city. Cottages are defined by the city as “smaller residential dwellings or structures that are representative of the traditional development patterns in the city, particularly in old Corona del Mar, on Balboa Island and on the Balboa Peninsula.”

They also tend to be one-story, except for those with a small second-story above parking at the rear of the lots.

The ordinance, which amends city code to incentivize the preservation of these cottages, was adopted by the council in February 2020. Typically, original beach cottages do not provide all the current code-required parking and additions are limited to 10% of the existing floor area, according to a city staff report.

The amendments would allow for larger additions — up to 50% of the existing floor area or a maximum of 750-square-feet — without providing the minimum code-required parking, if the project results in the general preservation of the cottage.

Additionally, eligible projects would also be relieved of a requirement that would force property owners to bring the full structure up to current building code when renovations hit a certain value.

The ordinance needed to undergo review by the Coastal Commission to extend the incentives to properties located in the coastal zone.

City staff said the commission suggested some modifications to clarify eligibility and ensure coastal resource protection regulations are enforced and allow for limited short-term lodging use.

If the Newport Beach City Council votes to adopt the ordinance Tuesday night, it will have a second reading on Jan. 25 before becoming law.

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