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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter IX — SPECIAL LAND USE REGULATIONS›Article 1 — Sexually-Oriented Businesses

§ 13-137. Other regulations.

Costa Mesa Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Costa Mesa

  • (a) Any sexually-oriented business lawfully operating on February 22, 1994, that is in violation of this article, shall be deemed a nonconforming use. A nonconforming sexually-oriented business will be permitted to continue for a period of one year, with a possible one year extension, for a total time period not to exceed two years, unless sooner terminated for any reason or voluntarily discontinued for a period of 30 days or more. An application for a one year extension for extenuating circumstances may be granted by the planning commission only upon a convincing showing of extreme financial hardship by the sexually-oriented business. Such nonconforming sexually-oriented business shall not be increased, enlarged, extended or altered except that the use may be changed to a conforming use. If two or more sexually-oriented businesses are within 1,000 feet of one another and otherwise in a permissible location, the sexually-oriented business which was first established and has continually operated at the particular location is the conforming use and the later established business(es) is nonconforming.

  • (b) Any sexually-oriented business lawfully operating as a conforming use is not rendered a nonconforming use by the location, subsequent to the grant or renewal of a sexually-oriented business permit and/or license, of a school, public park, religious institution, or public building likely to be frequented by minors within 1,000 feet and/or residential use within 500 feet of the sexually-oriented business. This provision applies only to the renewal of a valid permit and/or license and does not apply when an application for a permit and/or license is submitted after a permit and/or license has expired or has been revoked.

(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 98-4, § 4, 2-2-98)

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▸ Contents — Costa Mesa Zoning Code
Costa Mesa Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development
    Overview
    1. Chapter I — IN GENERAL
    2. Chapter II — ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
    3. Chapter III — PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    4. Chapter IV — CITYWIDE LAND USE MATRIX
    5. Chapter V — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    6. Chapter VII — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
    7. Chapter VIII — SIGNS
    8. ▸ Chapter IX — SPECIAL LAND USE REGULATIONS
      Overview
      1. ▸ Article 1 — Sexually-Oriented Businesses
        Overview
        1. § 13-129. Purpose and intent.
        2. § 13-130. Definitions.
        3. § 13-131. Exceptions to the article.
        4. § 13-132. Establishment of sexually-oriented business.
        5. § 13-133. Measurement of distance.
        6. § 13-134. Misdemeanor offenses.
        7. § 13-135. Violations/penalties.
        8. § 13-136. Public nuisance.
        9. § 13-137. Other regulations.
      2. Article 2 — Antennas
      3. Article 3 — Concurrent Sale of Alcoholic Beverages and Motor V…
      4. Article 4 — Density Bonuses and other Incentives
      5. Article 5 — Electronic Game Machines
      6. Article 6 — Home Occupations
      7. Article 7 — Mini-Warehouses
      8. Article 8 — Motels
      9. Article 9 — Off-Site Hazardous Waste Facilities
      10. Article 10 — Temporary Trailers
      11. Article 11 — Transitional Areas
      12. Article 12 — Transportation Demand Management
      13. Article 13 — Water Quality
      14. Article 14 — Historic Preservation
      15. Article 15 — Reasonable Accommodations
      16. Article 16 — Liquor Stores, Convenience Stores, and Mini-Markets
      17. Article 17 — Orange County Fair and Event Center
      18. Article 18 — Emergency Shelters
      19. Article 19 — Smoking and Vaping Uses
      20. Article 20 — Marijuana and/or Medical Marijuana uses and Activ…
      21. Article 21 — Location of Cannabis Distributing, Manufacturing,…
      22. Article 22 — An Ordinance to give the People of Costa Mesa Con…
      23. Article 23 — Needle and Syringe Exchange Programs
    9. Chapter X — NONCONFORMING USES, DEVELOPMENTS AND LOTS
    10. Chapter XI — SUBDIVISIONS
    11. Chapter XII — SPECIAL FEE ASSESSMENTS
    12. Chapter XIII — NOISE CONTROL
    13. Chapter XIV — OIL DRILLING
    14. Chapter XV — GROUP HOMES
    15. Chapter XVII — AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORDINANCE

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