Rental Registration: Costa Mesa vs Midway City
How do rental registration rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Midway City, CA?
Costa Mesa and Midway City have similar restriction levels.
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Costa Mesa does not currently require landlords to register rental properties with the city. A rental registry proposal was considered by the City Council in 2026 but was rejected by a 5-2 vote. Landlords must still comply with state and local landlord-tenant laws without any city registration requirement.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Midway City, CA
Orange County
Unincorporated Orange County does not require rental property registration. There is no countywide rental registry, landlord licensing, or rental inspection program for unincorporated communities. Within Orange County, only the City of Santa Ana has implemented a rental registration program as part of its Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
View full Midway City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Midway City |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Required | No | - |
| Registry Proposal | Rejected 5-2 (March 2026) | - |
| Inspections | Complaint-driven only | - |
| State Law Compliance | AB 1482, just cause required | - |
| Code Enforcement | (714) 754-5638 | - |
| Rental Registration | - | Not required |
| Landlord License | - | Not required |
| Inspection Program | - | None |
| Nearest Registry | - | City of Santa Ana (since Sept. 2024) |
| State Disclosures | - | Still required per CA Civil Code |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Costa Mesa FAQ
Do I need to register my Costa Mesa rental property with the city?
No. Costa Mesa does not have a rental property registration requirement. A rental registry proposal was considered by the City Council in March 2026 but was rejected. Landlords must still comply with all state and local landlord-tenant laws.
Does Costa Mesa inspect rental properties?
The city does not conduct proactive rental inspections. The Community Improvement Division responds to specific complaints and code enforcement referrals on a complaint-driven basis. Contact (714) 754-5638 to report a concern.
What obligations do Costa Mesa landlords have without a rental registry?
Landlords must comply with Costa Mesa's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), state housing codes, and the city's Title 20 Property Maintenance standards.
Midway City FAQ
Do I need to register my rental property in unincorporated Orange County?
No. Unincorporated Orange County does not have a rental registration requirement, landlord licensing program, or proactive rental inspection program. You must still comply with state disclosure requirements and maintain habitable conditions.
Does Orange County have a rental inspection program?
No. Unincorporated Orange County does not conduct proactive rental inspections. Code enforcement responds to complaints about substandard housing conditions through the Neighborhood Preservation program. Only tenant-initiated complaints trigger inspections.
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