Special Events & Permits in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
7 verified special events & permits rules for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Costa Mesa requires a city manager-issued permit before any block party closes a residential street to traffic. Applications must be filed at least 12 business days ahead, evidence consent from every affected property owner or lessee on the block, and carry $1,000,000 combined single-limit liability insurance naming the city as additional insured. Block parties are allowed only on dates the city council designates by resolution.
Costa Mesa Block Party Street Closure Permit
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA Municipal Code §§ 9-208.16, 9-208.17(b), 9-208.19(a)
(a) It is unlawful for any person to hold, engage in, or conduct, within the City of Costa Mesa, any block party subject to the provisions of this article without having obtained a valid permit. (b) The city manager is authorized to issue permits for block parties pursuant to the procedures established in this article. ... An application shall be filed not less than 12 business days before the ...
Park Event Permits
Any club, league, lodge or organization of 10 or more members or attendees that wants exclusive use of a Costa Mesa park, square, avenue or recreation facility for a parade, picnic, game or similar gathering must get a permit from the administrative services director, filed 3 business days to 1 year ahead, with a council-set fee.
Costa Mesa Park Facility Reservation Permits
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 12-53
Any lodge, society, social organization, group, sports league or team, social club or other organization of persons having 10 or more members or attendees desiring to use any area of any public park, square, avenue, grounds or recreation facility for a parade, picnic, game, or other purpose and where such use will exclude or interfere with use by other members of the public from such area shall...
Parade Permits
Any parade, procession or public assembly of 50 or more people on a Costa Mesa street needs a special event permit from the director under Section 9-206, filed at least 15 working days ahead. Parade applications must list the assembly point, route, disbanding area and length, and full or partial street closures cannot run on arterial streets during weekday rush hours.
Costa Mesa Parade & Special Event Permits
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code §§ 9-205, 9-206(a)
"Parade" means a parade, procession, march, demonstration, motorcade, promenade or pageant consisting of persons, animals, or vehicles or a combination thereof, traveling in unison and having a common purpose, design, destination or goal which is conducted in, on, upon, or along any public street, sidewalk or other property owned or controlled by the city, or any portion thereof, which does not...
Street Fair Rules
Costa Mesa's tax code doesn't use the words 'street fair,' but Section 9-28 taxes every promoter running a show, exhibition or swap meet on the event's gross receipts, plus a flat $5 for each exhibitor, vendor or seller who sets up at a craft fair, festival or similar multi-vendor event in the city.
Costa Mesa Street Fair & Show Vendor Tax
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 9-28(a)
Every person engaged in operating, managing, conducting, or promoting a show, exhibition, or swap meet, as defined in this title, shall pay an annual business tax based on the gross receipts of the promoter, manager, or operator derived from all such shows, exhibitions, or swap meets conducted in the city. The applicable business tax, as shown in section 9-25 shall be increased by an amount equ...
Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way
A Costa Mesa business that already holds zoning approval, such as a minor conditional use permit, for regular outdoor filming does not need to pull a separate commercial filming permit under Section 9-473(b)(7) each time it shoots. Everyone else filming on private property that affects neighbors or needs city rights-of-way still must apply chapter-wide.
Costa Mesa Recurring Filming CUP Exemption
Few Restrictions§ 9-473(b)(7)
No person shall use any private property for the purpose of making commercial films without first applying for and receiving a permit from the city manager or his/her designee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to or be construed to affect the following filming on private property... 7. Any business, nonprofit organization, and/or entity which has alr...
Parklets
Parklets and other outdoor dining set up in Costa Mesa's public right-of-way trace back to Urgency Ordinance 2020-15's Temporary Use Permits, which Table 13-47(b) Note 1 allows to keep operating only with staff approval, applicable fees, and compliance with Building, Fire, and aesthetic standards.
Costa Mesa Parklet & Right-of-Way Dining Permits
Significant RestrictionsCosta Mesa Municipal Code Sec. 13-47, Table 13-47(b), Note 1
Temporary Use Permits for outdoor dining areas, including parklets within the public right-of-way, approved through Urgency Ordinance 2020-15 may continue to operate with staff approval; however, shall comply with applicable Building and Fire Code requirements, may not interfere with minimum required site access or circulation, and shall comply with the aesthetic development standards outlined ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants adding sidewalk or courtyard dining in Costa Mesa must close outdoor seating between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless a use permit says otherwise, under Municipal Code Sec. 13-48. The city can revoke an outdoor dining approval if noise complaints go unresolved.
Costa Mesa Outdoor Dining Area Standards
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa Municipal Code Sec. 13-48(a)(1)(o)-(p)
Outdoor dining will be required to be closed between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; unless approved as part of a use permit as indicated in Table 13-47(a). Noise concerns shall be addressed in a timely manner pursuant to Title 13, Chapter XIII of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code. A contact phone number shall be posted at the establishment's entrance and outdoor dining area so any noise concerns can be ...
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