Navy veteran Jason Murchison can now teach paid surf lessons on Newport Beach's public beaches after settling a federal lawsuit that challenged the city's cap on commercial surf schools.

Murchison, owner of Learn to Surf, secured a five-year agreement with Newport Beach granting him the same permit terms held by three other city-approved schools, The Center Square reported Monday, Aug. 10. The deal resolves a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California's Southern Division.

The city had previously limited surf school permits to three. Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Caleb Trotter, who represented Murchison, said in a phone interview with The Center Square that the cap had no documented policy basis.

"All that I could glean from the city staff report that was put together when this ordinance was proposed, was they just didn't like the fact that people were earning money on city property," Trotter said. "Well, they can like it or not, but what they can't do is violate the constitution in creating a monopoly in granting the right to earn a living on city property, which is effectively what they did."

Of the three previously permitted schools, two operate only during summer months, according to Trotter. That left a single company offering year-round instruction before Murchison's settlement opened the door for a fourth operator.

Newport Beach did not respond to The Center Square's request for comment on the settlement.

The case drew national attention. Pacific Legal Foundation announced the settlement Aug. 10, and Surfer magazine described the outcome as a "major legal battle." Trotter told The Center Square the ruling carries implications beyond Newport Beach for any government restricting who can teach activities on public land.

Murchison told The Center Square via email that the resolution lets him focus on growing Learn to Surf. He said he never sought special treatment, only the same opportunity granted to existing schools.