Council Raises Balboa Yacht Basin Rents

As part of its ongoing push to bring fees charged at harbor facilities owned by the city in line with market rates, the City Council has raised rents on the 176 slips at the Balboa Yacht Basin.

The council on Monday also increased rates for 31 garages at the yacht basin and three apartments. Rates had not changed since 2002, according to city staff.

The increases, to be phased in over three years, will bring the monthly cost of 30- to 39-foot slips to about $21 per foot of boat per month, up from $18.

• For 40- to 49-foot slips, the rate will increase from $19 per foot per month to about $30.
• For 50- to 59-foot slips, the rate will increase from $23 per foot per month to about $32.
• For 60- to 75-foot slips, the rate will increase from $23 per foot per month to about $39.

Rents on garages will increase from $200 per month to $325. Apartment rents will increase from $1,700 or $2,000 per month to $2,250.

Subsequent increases in rent to garages and apartments will be based on the consumer price index. Future increases to slip rates will be based on an index of low- to moderately priced marinas in Newport Harbor.

A handful of boaters attended the meeting to protest the rate increases. But it was meager showing, compared with late last month when a crowd packed the council chambers, overflowing into the lobby and out onto the front steps, to speak against proposed increases to Newport Harbor mooring rates.

At that Nov. 23 meeting, the council voted to triple mooring rates over five years, also phasing out private transfers of moorings.