Last updated
By Ron McMinn, Esq. | Official sources checked November 12, 2026.
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Newport Beach streets, sidewalks, parks, and City vehicles can all be part of an injury claim. A claim against a city is not the same as a claim against a private driver, and it is not the same as calling City Hall or waiting for a police report. This guide explains the first filing step under California’s Government Claims Act, using the City’s official claim form and the City Attorney’s published filing instructions. See also our Newport Beach personal injury page.
Is it a City of Newport Beach claim?
OCTA buses and stops go to OCTA (see how to file a claim against OCTA). County facilities go to the County (see our County of Orange claim guide). Freeways such as the SR-73 and SR-1 generally go to Caltrans (see our Caltrans claim guide). Other Orange County cities have their own process, including our guides for the City of Irvine and the City of Costa Mesa. If more than one public entity may be involved, a timely claim to each can be required. The City’s form itself warns you to be sure the claim is against the City of Newport Beach, not another public entity.
The six-month deadline
A Government Code section 911.2 claim relating to a cause of action for death or for injury to a person, personal property, or growing crops must be presented not later than six months after the cause of action accrues. A claim relating to any other cause of action must be presented not later than one year after accrual. When the cause of action accrues is a legal question. Do not invent the start date from the day you first felt worse or from the day a report is finished.
The City’s published claim form also says a claim must be filed with the City Clerk within six months after the incident or event occurred. Newport Beach Municipal Code chapter 1.06 requires claims for damages or money to be made in writing, signed, and filed with the City Clerk, and it points back to the Government Claims Act time periods and procedures.
How to file with the City Clerk
The City Attorney’s Office FAQ says you must submit the claim, either by mail or personal delivery, at the City Clerk’s Office, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, within six months of the date of the incident. You may contact the City Clerk at (949) 644-3005 to obtain a claim form to be mailed.
The City’s published claim form and filing instructions repeat that address and say complete claims must be mailed or delivered to the City Clerk at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660. The form states that a fax is not accepted. Complete the form in its entirety and sign it. The instructions say claims submitted incomplete and without a signature must be returned as insufficient and can delay the determination of the claim. Type or print in blue or black ink, not pencil. Attach receipts, estimates, bills, and other supporting documents.
The instructions say that within 7 to 10 business days after submittal to the City Clerk’s office, you will be contacted by the City’s claim administrator, AdminSure, Inc., 3380 Shelby Street, Ontario, CA 91764-5566, phone (909) 493-3378. The cover sheet says that if you have questions about your claim or the action taken by the City, contact Risk Management at (949) 644-3131. The cover sheet also gives the Government Code section 945.6 warning that, subject to certain exceptions, you generally have only six months from the rejection date to file a court action.
What happens next
Under Government Code section 945.4, you generally cannot sue the City for money damages until a required claim has been presented and acted on, or deemed rejected. Section 912.4 generally gives the public entity 45 days to act. If it does not act, the claim is deemed rejected on the last day of that period.
If you receive written notice of rejection, Government Code section 945.6 generally gives you six months, counted from personal delivery or mailing of that notice, to file suit. If written notice under section 913 is not given, a different two-year period from accrual can apply.
Missed the six-month window? Government Code section 911.4 allows a written application for leave to present a late claim within a reasonable time, not more than one year after accrual, with the proposed claim attached. Relief is not automatic. See our guide on a missed six-month government claim deadline.
Talk to us
If you were hurt in California and a city, county, transit agency, or the State may share responsibility, Win Attorneys handles government claims and personal injury matters statewide from our office in Tustin. We speak Spanish and Vietnamese.
Call us at (657) 235-8097, write through our contact page, or start online with our intake form. Office: 17291 Irvine Blvd., Suite 210, Tustin, CA 92780.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. City instructions can change, so confirm the current process with the City before you file.
Sources
- City of Newport Beach, City Attorney’s Office FAQ, “What is the procedure for filing a claim against the City of Newport Beach?”
- City of Newport Beach claim form and general liability claim instructions (published form marked GLCLAIMFORM-1/08).
- Newport Beach Municipal Code chapter 1.06, Claims and Demands Against the City.
- Government Code section 910, section 911.2, section 911.4, section 912.4, section 915, section 945.4, and section 945.6.
Frequently asked questions
How do I file a claim against the City of Newport Beach?
Submit the claim by mail or personal delivery to the City Clerk’s Office, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, within six months of the incident. You may call the City Clerk at (949) 644-3005 to have a form mailed. The City’s form says a fax is not accepted, and the claim must be complete and signed.
How long do I generally have to present an injury claim to the City of Newport Beach?
Government Code section 911.2 requires a claim for death or for injury to a person or to personal property to be presented no later than six months after the cause of action accrues. Most other claims have one year. Accrual is a legal question, so do not guess at the start date.
What happens after I file a Newport Beach claim?
The City’s instructions say that within 7 to 10 business days after submittal to the City Clerk, you will be contacted by the City’s claim administrator, AdminSure, Inc. For questions about your claim or the City’s action, the cover sheet points to Risk Management at (949) 644-3131.
Does a claim against Newport Beach cover an OCTA bus or a freeway crash?
No. OCTA buses and stops, and freeways such as the SR-73 or SR-1, generally involve different public entities. The County of Orange is also separate from the City. The City’s form warns you to be sure the claim is against the City of Newport Beach, not another public entity.
Can I fax a Newport Beach claim?
No. The City’s published claim form states that a fax is not accepted. Mail or deliver a complete, signed claim to the City Clerk at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
What if I missed the six-month claim deadline?
Government Code section 911.4 allows a written application for leave to present a late claim within a reasonable time, not more than one year after accrual, with the proposed claim attached. Relief is not automatic.
If the City rejects my claim, how long do I generally have to sue?
Government Code section 945.6 generally requires filing suit not later than six months after written notice of rejection is personally delivered or deposited in the mail. If that written notice is not given, a different two-year period from accrual can apply. Confirm which clock fits your claim with counsel.