Newport Beach is taking decisive action to prevent a repeat of last year’s rowdy spring break crowds. The city council voted unanimously on Tuesday to implement stricter enforcement measures, including tougher fines and additional police patrols throughout March and April.
The crackdown will focus on the city’s most popular beach areas, including the Balboa Peninsula, West Newport, and Corona del Mar, which typically experience significant visitor increases as temperatures rise. According to KTLA, local residents have been urging city officials to address these issues proactively.
Last year’s spring break period resulted in nearly 500 arrests, with officers responding to problems ranging from underage drinking to large house parties that disrupted neighborhoods. The situation has become increasingly difficult to manage due to the combination of short-term rentals, vacation crowds, and alcohol consumption.
The city is expanding its “Safety Enhancement Zones” where increased fines and more aggressive enforcement can be applied. These zones, previously established for the Fourth of July holiday, will now cover spring break periods in March and April. The enforcement area will also be extended to include more of West Newport and add Corona del Mar to the list.
Newport Beach currently has more than 1,500 permitted short-term rentals, with most concentrated in the Balboa Peninsula area. In 2023, police issued over 2,000 citations during peak weekends, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement.
“We want to keep people in compliance when it comes to large gatherings,” Stapleton explained. “Those that come, and want to responsibly enjoy Newport Beach, are welcome.” However, he emphasized, “We’re not going to become a destination for spring breakers rioting on the beaches.”
Brian O’Rourke, Newport Beach’s chief of lifeguards, noted a significant increase in visitors from outside the area during spring break. “One week, we have the Las Vegas crowd, one week we have Utah, then we have Arizona, then we have Oregon,” he said. “It’s challenging because we have to have different staffing periods through spring for all the spring breaks, where decades ago it was one week.”
The new measures will also affect short-term lodging permit conditions and enforcement, including mandatory revocation provisions for violators. Additionally, the council is clarifying rules for shade coverings on beaches to ensure public safety and emergency access.
For 2026, the council is specifically designating two spring break periods—March 14 to March 22 and April 4 to April 12—during which the enhanced penalties will apply.
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