Orange County manages coastal shoreline through OC Public Works and the California Coastal Commission. Unincorporated coastal areas require Coastal Development Permits for construction near the shoreline. Beach nourishment and erosion control projects are managed at the county level.
Unincorporated coastal areas of Orange County fall under California Coastal Act jurisdiction administered by the California Coastal Commission. Development within the Coastal Zone requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP). OC Public Works manages county-maintained beaches and the Dana Point Harbor area. Beach nourishment projects to combat erosion are coordinated between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Coastal Commission, and OC Public Works. Sea level rise planning affects low-lying unincorporated coastal parcels. The county's Local Coastal Program (LCP) governs land use decisions in the Coastal Zone. Shoreline protective devices (seawalls, riprap) require CDPs and are disfavored under the Coastal Act in favor of managed retreat and natural solutions. Newport Bay and its surrounding wetlands receive additional environmental protections. Contact the Coastal Commission South Coast District at (562) 590-5071 or OC Public Works at (714) 647-3200.
Development without a CDP in the Coastal Zone: enforcement action by the Coastal Commission including cease and desist orders, removal requirements, and fines up to $15,000 per day. Unauthorized shoreline armoring may require removal.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa Municipal Code Title 13 establishes noise standards that vary by zoning district. Industrial and commercial noise crossing into residential zones ...
Costa Mesa, CA
Outdoor music at residences, parks, and events in Costa Mesa must comply with CMMC Title 13 noise standards. Amplified outdoor music requires compliance with...
Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa regulates amplified music under CMMC Chapter XIII noise control. Music and sound-producing devices must comply with exterior noise standards at th...
Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa defines abandoned vehicles as those left on public streets for more than 72 hours without being moved or those that are inoperable. The city proac...
Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa prohibits commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW from parking on restricted streets between 2 AM and 6 AM, or for more than 3 hours on any pub...
Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa requires vehicles to park on improved surfaces under its development and property maintenance standards. Driveway design must meet zoning requirem...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how Costa Mesa's shoreline management rules stack up against other locations.
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