Parking Rules in Costa Mesa, CA

If you live in Costa Mesa or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Costa Mesa has 10 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Curb Color Rules

Costa Mesa bars anyone but the city from painting a street or curb surface under Municipal Code Section 10-90. The transportation services manager alone assigns red, yellow and white curb colors citywide; a resident or business that paints its own curb, even to keep a driveway clear, violates the section unless a separate city resolution specifically authorizes the painting.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 10-90. Who may paint curbs: Only the transportation services manager. Exception: House numbers under a city resolution. First-offense fine: Up to $100 (§ 1-33). Repeat violations: Up to $200, then $500 per year.

Painting a curb without city authorization is enforceable as a general infraction under Section 1-33: up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense of the same ordinance within a year, and $500 for each additional offense within that year. Police officers and designated nonsafety employees issue the citations, and the city can require the unauthorized paint be removed or corrected at the property owner's expense.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Costa Mesa restricts commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross weight to designated truck routes and caps street parking at three hours under Municipal Code Section 10-185. Those trucks are also barred from restricted streets between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and police can cite or tow violators using the same removal authority used for abandoned vehicles.

Key details: Weight threshold: 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight. Street parking cap: 3 consecutive hours. Overnight curfew: 2:00-6:00 a.m. on restricted streets. Governing section: Municipal Code § 10-185(f)-(h). Enforcement: Citation and tow under § 10-69.

A commercial vehicle over 10,000 pounds parked off a designated truck route, left overnight between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on a restricted street, or parked longer than three hours without a qualifying exception can be cited and towed under Sections 10-185 and 10-69. The city council sets the minimum fine for Section 10-185 violations by resolution rather than the standard infraction schedule, so penalties can run higher than the Code's default $100 first-offense fine.

RV & Boat Parking

Costa Mesa treats outdoor RV, boat and trailer storage in residential zones as unlawful by default under Municipal Code Section 20-8 and Table 20-8(c), unless the vehicle sits fully enclosed inside a building, on a driveway connecting to a garage, on an alley-accessible parking pad, or on a paved area screened by a 6-foot solid fence outside the street setback.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 20-8(b), Table 20-8(c). Default rule: Outdoor RV/boat storage prohibited. Screening fence required: 6-foot solid opaque fence or wall. No-fence exception: Paved driveway to garage/carport. Unpaved storage: Prohibited outright.

Storing an RV, boat, trailer or other recreational vehicle outside the Table 20-8(c) options, such as parked on an unpaved surface or on a paved area without the required 6-foot screening fence, is a Title 20 property-maintenance violation. The city can pursue it through the enforcement paths listed in Section 1-33: infraction citation, misdemeanor prosecution, civil action to abate the nuisance, or an administrative hearing before the city council, with infraction fines running $100 to $500 for repeat violations within a year.

This is one of the stricter rules in Costa Mesa's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Overnight Parking

Costa Mesa bars sleeping in a parked motor vehicle anywhere in the city other than private residential property between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under Municipal Code Section 10-194, and separately bans living or dwelling in any vehicle parked on a public street, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way at any time, with an exception for licensed trailer courts and campsites.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 10-194. Sleeping curfew: 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Dwelling ban: 24/7 on public property/right-of-way. Exception: Licensed trailer court or campsite. Companion rule: § 10-195 window visibility required.

Sleeping in a vehicle on a public street or non-residential property between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or using any vehicle as a dwelling anywhere but an authorized trailer court, is enforceable as a general infraction under Section 1-33, with fines of up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for further offenses. A vehicle with obstructed windows in violation of Section 10-195's visibility rule can be cited separately.

This is one of the stricter rules in Costa Mesa's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Preferential Parking Districts

Costa Mesa creates residential permit parking zones under Article 3 of Municipal Code Chapter X, where posted streets bar unpermitted vehicles and only residents of that zone, capped at four permits per dwelling unit plus up to 100 annual guest passes, may obtain a permit through the public works department.

Key details: Governing article: Municipal Code §§ 10-221 to 10-221.5. Permits per dwelling unit: 4 resident permits maximum. Guest permits: Up to 100 per year per unit. Permit term: 1 year, non-transferable. Ineligible vehicles: Business-registered commercial vehicles.

Parking without a valid permit in a posted residential zone is an infraction under Section 10-221, enforced by police officers, cadets, or designated nonsafety employees under Section 10-224. Falsifying a permit application, using a permit on an unlisted vehicle, forging a permit, or selling or transferring one are each separate infractions under Section 10-221.5, and the public works director can revoke or suspend the permit and eligibility for those violations.

Loading Zones

Costa Mesa marks commercial loading zones yellow and passenger loading zones white under Municipal Code Section 10-226, limiting yellow-curb stops to 20 minutes for materials or 3 minutes for passengers, and white-curb stops to 3 minutes, both enforced between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on days other than Sundays and holidays.

Key details: Yellow zone (materials): 20-minute limit, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.. Yellow/white zone (passengers): 3-minute limit. Curb length cap: Max half of block per zone. Yellow zone use: Commercial vehicles/deliveries only. Governing sections: Municipal Code §§ 10-225 to 10-227.

Stopping, standing or parking in a yellow or white loading zone beyond the permitted time, or for a purpose other than loading, is a citable violation under Sections 10-228 and 10-229, enforced as a general infraction under Section 1-33 with fines up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for further offenses; the transportation services manager can also have an overstaying vehicle towed.

Driveway Rules

Costa Mesa bars parking or storing any vehicle or recreational vehicle on an unpaved surface anywhere on residential or nonresidential property. Table 20-8(c) only allows outdoor storage on a paved, screened area set back from the street, or on a paved driveway or alley-accessed parking space.

Key details: Governing section: § 20-8(b), Table 20-8(c). Unpaved storage: Prohibited citywide, all zones. Required screen wall/fence: 6 feet high, solid, opaque. Driveway exception: Paved driveway to garage/carport allowed. Alley exception: Paved alley-accessed space, single-family only.

Vehicles or RVs stored on bare dirt, gravel or lawn are cited as a Table 20-8(c) violation and, under Section 20-12(k), independently qualify as a declared public nuisance. The Development Services Director can issue a posted-and-mailed notice to abate under Sections 20-15 and 20-16, with civil fines of up to $1,000 per day under Section 20-13(a) if the vehicle is not moved to a conforming paved surface.

Abandoned Vehicles

Costa Mesa defines abandoned vehicles as those left on public streets for more than 72 hours without being moved or those that are inoperable. The city proactively tags and removes abandoned vehicles through Costa Mesa Police and Code Enforcement.

Key details: Public Street Limit: 72 hours without moving. Notice Period: 72-hour tag before towing. Private Property: Must be in enclosed garage. Code Enforcement: (714) 754-5623. Police Reports: (714) 754-5280.

Abandoned vehicles on public streets are tagged with 72-hour notice and towed if not moved. Inoperable vehicles on private property visible from public view may receive code enforcement citations and abatement orders.

This is one of the stricter rules in Costa Mesa's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

EV Charging

Costa Mesa follows California's streamlined permitting for home EV charger installations under AB 1236. Level 1 and Level 2 chargers can be installed at residential properties with a standard electrical permit. The city supports EV infrastructure expansion.

Key details: Permit Type: Standard electrical permit. Processing: Expedited per AB 1236. HOA Restrictions: Limited by Civil Code §4745. New Construction: EV-ready required (CALGreen). Permits: Development Services (714) 754-5245.

Installing an EV charger without an electrical permit violates building codes and may void insurance. Running cables across public sidewalks may result in code enforcement action.

Street Parking Limits

Costa Mesa enforces street parking time limits and offers a Residential Permit Parking Program in designated neighborhoods. Oversized vehicles are not eligible for residential permits. Standard time limits and posted restrictions apply citywide.

Key details: Permit Parking: Available in designated areas. Oversized Vehicles: Not eligible for permits. Street Sweeping: Must move on designated days. Enforcement: Costa Mesa Police Department.

Vehicles exceeding posted time limits receive parking citations. Failure to move for street sweeping results in tickets. Abandoned vehicles may be towed.

The Bottom Line

Costa Mesa is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 10 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Costa Mesa, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Costa Mesa's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.