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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter IX — SPECIAL LAND USE REGULATIONS

Article 18 — Emergency Shelters

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

§ 13-200.79. Purpose and intent.

The purpose of this article is to establish operational and development standards for emergency shelters to ensure that these uses are operated to address the homeless needs and consistent with the requirements of sections 65582 , 65583 , and 65589.5 of the Government Code relating to local planning.

Development standards. The following development and operational standards shall apply to establishment of emergency shelters as defined by the Zoning Code; provided, however, that operational standards (1), (2), (4), (8), (10) and (13) shall not apply to emergency shelters owned, controlled and/or operated by the City of Costa Mesa.

  • (1) The maximum length of stay shall not exceed 120 days in a 365 day period.

  • (2) Each emergency shelter may have a maximum of 30 beds.

  • (3) Off-site parking shall be provided at a parking rate of one parking space per four beds or one space per employee, whichever is higher.

  • (4) Stays at an emergency shelter facility shall be limited to the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following day.

    • (5) Nonoperational and unregistered vehicles shall not be kept on site. Towing shall be the responsibility of the shelter operator.

    • (6) Each emergency shelter shall provide an interior and exterior waiting area adequate to accommodate waiting clients and to prevent queuing into the public right-of-way. An exterior waiting area shall be physically separated and visually screened from the public right-of-way.

    • (7) The emergency shelter facility shall provide an on-site resident manager on site at all times.

    • (8) A minimum distance of 300 feet shall be maintained from another emergency shelter. The distance of separation shall be measured in a straight line between the property lines of each use without regard to intervening structures or objects.

    • (9) The shelter operator shall provide minimum exterior lighting in compliance with the city's security requirements.

    • (10) The shelter operator shall patrol a half-mile radius surrounding the shelter site during hours that the shelter is in operation to ensure that shelter clients and homeless individuals who have been denied access are not congregating in the neighborhood.

    • (11) Alcohol and narcotics use and consumption are prohibited within the facility and on the property.

    • (12) An operations plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the development services director and police chief prior to operation of the emergency shelter. The plan shall include minimum provisions related to on-site security and safety, staff training, loitering control, client eligibility, counseling services, and indoor and outdoor management of the facility.

  • (13) No emergency shelter in the MP Industrial Park zone that is also located in an area subject to the jurisdiction of the airport land use commission shall commence operation until the commission either approves the action or permit pursuant to the procedures set forth in Public Utilities Code section 21676(b) or, if denied, the city overrules the commission's decision.

  • (Ord. No. 13-1, § 2C., 3-19-13; Ord. No. 19-15, § 2, 9-17-19)

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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
      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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