Building Setbacks & Zoning in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Table 13-32 sets a uniform 20-foot front setback across every residential zone in Costa Mesa, plus a 5-foot interior side setback and a rear setback of 20 feet for two-story homes or 10 feet for one-story homes. Small accessory structures can drop to a zero side or rear setback under listed height limits.
Costa Mesa Residential Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 13-32, Table 13-32 (Setbacks for Main Buildings and Accessory Buildings and Structures)
SETBACKS FOR MAIN BUILDINGS AND ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES (Minimum distances given, unless otherwise noted. All setbacks from streets are measured from the ultimate property line shown on the master plan of highways). Front 20 feet Side Interior property line: 5 feet. Note: Accessory structures that do not exceed 6 1/2 feet in height in the R1 zone or 15 feet in height in the other res...
Structure Height Limits
Homes in every Costa Mesa residential zone are capped at two stories and 27 feet under Table 13-32 of Municipal Code § 13-32. Nonresidential uses on residential-zoned property have no fixed number, instead getting a height set case-by-case through conditional use permit review.
Costa Mesa Residential Building Height Limit
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 13-32, Table 13-32 (Maximum Number of Stories & Building Height)
Maximum Number of Stories & Building Height 2 stories/27 feet for residential land uses. The maximum number of stories and building height for nonresidential land uses shall be determined in conjunction with the conditional use permit review process. Note: Lofts, as defined in section 13-6, without exterior access and having only clerestory windows will not be regarded as a story. See also Atti...
Lot Coverage Limits
Costa Mesa's residential development table caps rear yard building coverage and sets a citywide open space floor under Municipal Code § 13-32. Every residential lot must keep 40% of its total area as open space, and in the rear yard, main buildings may cover no more than 25% and accessory buildings no more than 50% of the calculated rear yard area.
Costa Mesa Residential Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 13-32, Table 13-32 (Minimum Open Space; Rear Yard Coverage)
Minimum Open Space 40% of total lot area 40% of total lot area. ... Rear yard coverage (maximum) Rear (not abutting a publicly dedicated alley, street, or park): Main Buildings: 25% of rear yard area.* Accessory Buildings: 50% of rear yard area.* *Rear yard area equals lot width, measured from side property line to side property line, multiplied by 20 feet. Rear abutting a publicly dedicated al...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Costa Mesa city rules.
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