Newport Beach, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)

Voters added Section 426 to the Newport Beach City Charter effective January 9, 2013, permanently closing the door the City Council had used to authorize red light cameras. The section works on three fronts. First, it declares that no ordinance adopted by the City Council may permit or authorize any red light camera or other automated traffic enforcement system in Newport Beach, and any ordinance passed in violation of the section is null and void. Second, it bars the City Council and any officer or employee acting in an official capacity from three specific acts: taking any action that would directly or indirectly authorize, approve, or install such a system; acquiescing or concurring in another government agency's decision on red light cameras where the City had a protest or objection right available; or approving, executing, or entering into any agreement that would authorize, approve, or facilitate installing one, including any arrangement that would result in the City receiving camera-generated revenue.

5, or any successor statute, used to enforce any Vehicle Code provision. The only carve-out in the text is for toll facilities: the prohibition does not apply to a 'toll highway' or 'toll road' as defined in Vehicle Code Section 611, which covers automated toll-collection cameras rather than moving-violation enforcement.