Moving to Costa Mesa, CA? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Costa Mesa is a mid-sized city in Orange County, California, with about 112000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 105 ordinances across 25 categories that affect daily life in Costa Mesa.

Trash & Recycling

Pickup Rules & Schedules: Costa Mesa residential trash and recycling collection is managed by the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) with CR&R Environmental Services handling curbside pickup. Collection occurs Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m.

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (permissive). See the full trash & recycling guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Noise Ordinances

Industrial Noise: Costa Mesa Municipal Code Title 13 establishes noise standards that vary by zoning district. Industrial and commercial noise crossing into residential zones must meet the residential standard at the property line, enforced by Code Enforcement..

Also covered: Outdoor Music (moderate), Aircraft Noise (moderate), Decibel Limits (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits: Costa Mesa regulates short-term rental occupancy under its STR ordinance. Maximum occupancy is based on the number of bedrooms with a hard cap to prevent overcrowding, parties, and neighborhood disturbances in residential areas..

Also covered: Insurance Requirements (moderate), Night Caps (moderate), Registration Rules (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Fire Regulations

Smoke Detectors: Costa Mesa enforces California's smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector requirements under CMMC building codes. Detectors are required in all sleeping areas, outside bedrooms, and on every level of the home, with CO detectors mandatory in homes with fuel-burning appliances..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Costa Mesa enforces California Building Code pool barrier requirements. All residential swimming pools and spas must be enclosed by a fence or barrier at least 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised child access..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Fence Requirements (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Costa Mesa participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development under Title 13 (Planning, Zoning and Development), Chapter V, Article 8 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code. Sections 13-81 through 13-83 govern uses permitted in designated floodway fringe and Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) shown on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps, development standards for floodway areas, and exceptions.

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate), Coastal Development (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Animal Ordinances

Livestock: Costa Mesa restricts or prohibits keeping livestock such as goats, sheep, horses, and pigs on most residential properties. Livestock keeping is generally limited to properties in agricultural or equestrian zoning districts, which are very limited in the city..

Also covered: Exotic Pets (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (strict), Wildlife Feeding (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Costa Mesa classifies political campaign signs as noncommercial portable signs under Chapter VIII of Title 13 of the Municipal Code. Noncommercial portable signs promoting political viewpoints, commenting on public officials, or addressing matters of public discourse are permitted in residential areas subject to size, placement, and maintenance standards..

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Costa Mesa restricts home cannabis cultivation to indoor-only growing for personal use by residents aged 21 and older, consistent with state Proposition 64 limits. Outdoor cultivation is prohibited in all zone districts.

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Costa Mesa declares it a public nuisance for any person owning, leasing, occupying, or having charge of any premises to maintain the property with conditions of deterioration, disrepair, or blight. Title 20 (Property Maintenance) establishes strict liability for property owners for all building, housing, fire, and land use violations..

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Trash Bin Storage (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Costa Mesa prohibits outdoor lighting from unreasonably shining onto neighboring properties under its nuisance standards in Title 20 and development standards in Title 13. Exterior lighting must be designed and directed to prevent light trespass, and residents can file complaints about misdirected lighting through Code Enforcement..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: Costa Mesa adopted its own Just Cause Residential Tenant Protections Urgency Ordinance on November 7, 2023, which prohibits landlords from terminating tenancies without a valid just cause reason. No-fault evictions require 60 days notice and relocation assistance equal to one month of HUD Fair Market Rent..

Also covered: Rent Control (moderate), Rental Registration (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

No-Knock Registry: Costa Mesa residents can post 'No Soliciting' signs to prohibit door-to-door salespeople and canvassers from approaching their property. Under the Municipal Code, solicitors must honor posted no-soliciting signs and leave immediately when asked by a resident.

Also covered: Solicitor Permits (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone operations in Costa Mesa require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification and additional authorization through LAANC or a Part 107 waiver due to John Wayne Airport's Class C airspace covering much of the city. Operators must carry liability insurance, obtain a Costa Mesa business license if operating commercially within city limits, and coordinate with the Police Department for operations near public events or critical infrastructure..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Costa Mesa limits residential building height to 35 feet in the R1 single-family zone and most residential districts. Two-story construction is the practical maximum in single-family zones.

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Costa Mesa requires prior city approval before removing any tree that was required by a site plan, landscaping condition, or planning approval. Trees shall not be destroyed or removed without review by the Planning Division, which may require a California licensed arborist report.

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (strict), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: Costa Mesa does not impose a strict numerical limit on the number of garage sales a resident may hold per year. However, sales conducted frequently enough to resemble commercial activity — such as weekly or biweekly sales, or sales of new or purchased-for-resale merchandise — may be classified as a home business requiring a business license and compliance with home occupation permit requirements..

Also covered: Garage Sale Permits (permissive), Time Restrictions (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Costa Mesa offers an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential solar energy systems complying with AB 2188 and the California Solar Rights Act. Systems up to 10 kW AC on single-family or duplex dwellings qualify for simplified plan check through the city's online TESSA portal..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Costa Mesa prohibits large motor vehicles (over 22 feet long or both 84 inches wide and tall) from parking on city streets except for 48-hour loading/unloading periods adjacent to the resident's property under CMMC Section 10-185..

Also covered: Overnight Parking (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), EV Charging (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Costa Mesa city parks are closed to the public between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM unless otherwise posted or authorized by a special event permit. Fairview Park, TeWinkle Park, and all other municipal parks enforce these hours.

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (strict). See the full curfew laws guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Landscaping Rules

Artificial Turf: Costa Mesa allows artificial turf installation on residential properties as a water-saving landscaping alternative. Turf removal rebate programs may apply to transitioning from natural grass to synthetic turf.

Also covered: Native Plants (permissive), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Grass Height Limits (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: Costa Mesa permits foundation tiny homes as Accessory Dwelling Units under CMMC Title 13 and California Government Code Section 65852.2, which preempts most local restrictions for ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft. California Residential Code Appendix AX (effective 2023) sets construction standards for tiny houses on permanent foundations 400 sq ft or less.

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), ADU Rules (moderate), Shed Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks operating in Costa Mesa must obtain a city business license and comply with Orange County Health Care Agency permitting for mobile food facilities. Trucks must have a valid OC Health permit, California seller's permit, and appropriate vehicle registration.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Above-Ground Pools: Costa Mesa applies California's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code 115920-115929) and the 2022 California Residential Code through CMMC Title 5. Any above-ground pool capable of holding more than 18 inches of water requires a building permit, an isolation barrier at least 60 inches tall, and at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict), Fencing Requirements (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Costa Mesa for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Costa Mesa prohibits any alteration of the dwelling exterior for home business purposes including signage, lighting changes, or commercial modifications under CMMC Article 6. The business must not be identifiable from outside..

Also covered: Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Costa Mesa for details.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Costa Mesa, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Costa Mesa's city hall or code enforcement office.