Costa Mesa, CA Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

Article 3 of Chapter X lets the city council designate any contiguous area of streets and alleys as a 'residential permit parking zone' by resolution; once signs are posted, Section 10-221 makes it an infraction for anyone to park there without a permit, with exceptions for police, other city vehicles on official business, and marked service vehicles actively serving a resident. 2 sets the categories: a residential permit, capped at one per eligible driver and four per dwelling unit, obtained by filing an application with the public works department, and a temporary guest permit, capped at 100 per dwelling unit per year, for a permit holder's visitors.

3 requires each applicant to submit a name and home address with proof of residence, a driver's license, current vehicle registration and license plate number, and the applicable fee; commercial vehicles registered to a business address cannot get a permit. 4 makes residential permits valid for one year, non-transferable between people or vehicles, and automatically void once the holder moves out of the zone; the city council can also set a blanket expiration date if too many permits are being misused by nonresidents. 3(d) lets a denied or revoked applicant appeal to the Planning Commission.