Public Conduct in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
7 verified public conduct rules for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Costa Mesa bans asking, begging or soliciting alms in an aggressive manner anywhere open to the public, from sidewalks and parking lots to gas stations and fast-food drive-through lanes. Section 11-177 defines aggressive manner to include touching, blocking someone's path, following after a refusal, or unsolicited car washing followed by a demand for payment.
Costa Mesa Aggressive Panhandling Ban
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 11-178
No person shall ask, beg, or solicit alms in an aggressive manner in any place open to the general public, whether publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to any sidewalks, streets, alleys, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, buildings, doorways and entrances to buildings, gasoline service stations, fast food restaurant drive-through lanes, and the grounds around buildings op...
Public Urination
Costa Mesa Municipal Code section 11-4 makes it unlawful to urinate, defecate or dispose of human waste on private property visible to the public, or on any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, parkway or parking lot, unless it happens inside a proper toilet in a restroom or enclosure. A genuine illness or physical infirmity is a defense; being drunk or high is explicitly not.
Costa Mesa Public Urination Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 11-4
(a) It is unlawful for any person to urinate, defecate or otherwise discard or dispose of human wastes or excretion on private property in an area exposed to the public view, or on any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, parkway, parking lot or other public place, except in a toilet receptacle provided for such purpose within the structure of a restroom, bathroom or other enclosure. (b) Anyon...
Skateboarding Rules
Costa Mesa confines lawful skateboarding and roller skating to designated skate parks under Article 2 of Title 12. Riders must wear posted safety gear, stay off wet surfaces, and follow 15 listed rules; three infractions bar a rider from any skate park for good.
Costa Mesa Skate Park Rules and Penalties
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 12-56, 12-57, 12-58
Skateboardshall mean all non-metallic wheeled objects, coasters, conveyances, or similar devices used for transportation or sport which are propelled by human power and which are not classified as bicycles or roller skates. ... No person shall skateboard or roller skate without wearing the required safety equipment as posted at a skate park. ... Only skateboards and roller skates will be allowe...
Loud Party Ordinance
Costa Mesa doesn't fine a loud party the first time. Under sections 11-170 through 11-172, once police issue a written warning for a large party, gathering or event that threatens public peace, health or safety, a second call within 30 days makes the person responsible for the event personally liable for the full cost of the special police response, with the city reserving the right to bill anything over $500.
Costa Mesa Party Police Response Cost Recovery
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 11-171, 11-172
When a large party, gathering or event occurs on private property and a police officer at the scene determines that there is a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the person(s) responsible for the event will be held liable for the cost of providing police service for a special security assignment by the police, at any time within 30 days after a first written warning,...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Smoking is banned in every Costa Mesa park, within 50 feet of any park perimeter, and in all city-owned public facilities under Municipal Code § 8-133. The ban also covers the parking lots and enclosed fenced areas of city sports complexes and community gardens, wherever posted with no-smoking signs.
Costa Mesa Outdoor & Park Smoking Ban
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 8-133
Smoking is prohibited and is unlawful within all areas posted as a no smoking area by the city by signs of sufficient number and posted in such locations as to be readily seen by persons within such area, including but not limited to: (a) Public facilities as defined in section 8-132(c). (b) Within any park. (c) Within 50 feet of any park perimeter, provided that if any such perimeter encroache...
Jaywalking
Costa Mesa pedestrians must use a marked crosswalk between intersections controlled by a traffic signal or a police officer, under Municipal Code Section 10-168. Following a 2024 rewrite tracking the state's Freedom to Walk Act, an officer cannot stop a pedestrian for mid-block crossing unless a reasonably careful person would see an immediate danger of colliding with a moving vehicle.
Costa Mesa Crosswalk Crossing Requirement
Light RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 10-168(a)-(a)(1)
(a) Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk. (1) A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, shall not stop a pedestrian for a violation of subsection (a) unless a reasonably careful person woul...
Public Alcohol Use
Costa Mesa Municipal Code section 11-3 bans drinking wine, beer, whiskey, brandy or any alcoholic beverage on public streets, alleys, sidewalks, parkways, in public restrooms, parking lots, vacant lots and parked vehicles, and in city parks. The only way around it is a specific park area the city council has expressly approved and posted for drinking; everywhere else in public, an open container is a citation waiting to happen.
Costa Mesa Public Alcohol Consumption Ban
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 11-3
No person shall drink or consume wine, beer, whiskey, brandy, or any alcoholic liquors or beverages on public streets, including public alleys, sidewalks and parkways, nor in public restrooms, parking lots, vacant lots, parked motor vehicles, or public parks, except in any area of a public park where drinking has been expressly approved by the city council or its designee and is so posted.
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