Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this Initiative necessary?
In 2000, the voters of Newport Beach overwhelmingly passed the Greenlight Initiative. Simply stated, the Greenlight Initiative requires a local vote of any “major” land use or zoning decisions, which includes approving a project that would result in more than 100 housing units.
Previously, City leaders assured the public that large new projects would remain subject to the Greenlight Initiative’s voter approval requirement. However, the City Council reversed course, surprising everyone. The City Council has attempted to override the Greenlight Initiative, bypassing the voter approval for major housing amendments which will significantly increase the permitted new housing units. Specifically, local politicians approved a plan that would add more than 8,000 new housing units in Newport Beach by 2030—nearly double what State housing laws require. And the vast majority of those new units will be luxury apartments, not the affordable housing that State law requires and this community actually needs.
What does this Initiative do?
The Responsible Housing Initiative puts major decisions for large new housing projects in the hands of voters, rather than politicians.
The basic purpose of this Initiative is to force the City to allow the minimum amount of new housing units required under State law, plus a small amount of additional units to satisfy litigious State regulators. Compared to the City’s current plan of building 8,000+ new housing units, the Initiative would limit new housing to just 2,900 new units in certain areas that are suited for residential development. The Initiative is able to avoid more than 5,000 unnecessary new housing units by taking advantage of proven strategies that have been successfully adopted by other cities in Orange County.
This is our opportunity to make the responsible decision.
How will this Initiative impact Newport Beach?
The City Council’s attempted bypass of voter approval jeopardizes the responsible development of our local community and will strain City resources and infrastructure. Without this measure, massive new housing projects, pushed by out-of-town real estate developers, could be approved without voter approval. And these large projects would be approved without review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Without this Initiative, Newport Beach will lose its unique character that we love.
Where can I read the Responsible Housing Initiative?
The Responsible Housing Initiative text is available on NBSA’s Responsible Housing Initiative webpage: www.newportbeachstewardshipassociation.org/responsible-housing-initiative-text/.
How many signatures were required? How many did you acquire?
Applicable election laws required the campaign to obtain 6,092 signatures from City voters. Our campaign quickly acquired well above that with more than 8,900 signatures.
What was the time period it took to gather the signatures?
In only 25 days, NBSA obtained more than 8,900 signatures from local residents supporting the Initiative.
Working with SPON and other community partners, we assembled a broad range of support in only a few weeks. We expect our coalition of support to continue to grow.
In a perfect world, when would the Initiative hit the ballot?
June 2, 2026, in the same election as the 2026 California Primary Election.
This would not expected to be a special election, although the City has the authority to call a special election for the Responsible Housing Initiative.
Have other cities in California adopted similar measures?
Yes. The right to vote on major land use decisions is enshrined in the California Constitution.
Unlike Newport Beach, the City of Yorba Linda chose to honor its local voter approval requirements when adopting its Housing Element implementation strategy. Voters in Yorba Linda overwhelmingly approved Measure JJ that will satisfy its state mandates for new housing. Newport Beach residents need to act now to preserve their right to vote on major changes to our City.
What is the status of the litigation?
NBSA’s appeal of the City Council’s attempt to override the Greenlight Initiative for its 8,000+ unit up-zoning is pending in the California Court of Appeal. This appeal process will take many months.