Costa Mesa vs Santa Ana
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Costa Mesa and Santa Ana have similar restriction levels.
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Costa Mesa regulates short-term rental occupancy under its STR ordinance. Maximum occupancy is based on the number of bedrooms with a hard cap to prevent overcrowding, parties, and neighborhood disturbances in residential areas.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Short-term rentals are completely banned in Santa Ana. There are no STR occupancy limits because the activity is prohibited outright. General residential occupancy standards under building and health codes still apply to all dwellings.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Occupancy Formula | 2 per bedroom + 2 additional | - |
| Permit Required | Yes — occupancy stated on permit | - |
| Party Hosting | May trigger enforcement | - |
| Enforcement | Development Services (714) 754-5245 | Code Enforcement Division |
| After Hours | Costa Mesa PD (714) 754-5280 | - |
| STR Status | - | Completely banned |
| Occupancy Limits | - | N/A — no STR operations allowed |
| Building Code | - | Standard residential occupancy applies |
| Report Violations | - | (714) 647-5343 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Costa Mesa FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Costa Mesa short-term rental?
Occupancy is generally limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests, with a maximum cap. The exact number must be stated on your STR permit.
Can I host a party at a short-term rental in Costa Mesa?
Gatherings exceeding the approved occupancy limit may violate your STR permit conditions and trigger nuisance complaints. The city actively enforces this.
What happens if I exceed occupancy at my Costa Mesa STR?
Violations may result in permit suspension or revocation, administrative fines, and potential nuisance abatement action.
Santa Ana FAQ
What are the occupancy limits for short-term rentals in Santa Ana?
There are none because short-term rentals are completely banned in Santa Ana. All residential properties are subject to standard building code occupancy limits.
How do I report an illegal short-term rental?
Contact the Code Enforcement Division at (714) 647-5343 or file a complaint online through the city's website.
Compare other topics
See how Costa Mesa and Santa Ana compare on other ordinance categories.
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