Skip to content

Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter IX — SPECIAL LAND USE REGULATIONS›Article 4 — Density Bonuses and other Incentives

§ 13-154. Application and review process.

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

  • (a) Preliminary application. A developer of a qualified housing project and/or child care facility may submit a preliminary application pursuant to this article prior to the submittal of any formal requests for approvals for a housing project development.

Within 30 days of receipt of the application, the planning division shall provide to the applicant, the procedures for compliance with this article, a copy of this article and related policies, the pertinent sections of the State Codes to which reference is made in this article, and an application.

  • (b) Submittal. The completed formal application shall include the following information.

    • (1) A legal description of the total site proposed for development including a statement of present ownership and present and proposed zoning.

    • (2) A letter signed by the present owner stating how the project will comply with State Government Code section 65915 et seq., and stating what is being requested of the city, i.e., density bonus and specific concessions or incentives.

    • (3) A pro-forma for the proposed project to justify the requested concession or incentive and to establish the land valuation per dwelling unit of bonus units. The applicant shall show that any requested waiver or reduction of a development standard is necessary to make the housing units economically feasible.

    • (4) A management plan for complying with the maintenance of the designated units regarding income qualification documentation and rent or sale price documentation.

    • (5) Site plan and supporting plans per the planning application submittal requirements.

  • (c) Review. The review of an application for a density bonus and concession or incentive request shall be processed as a planning application pursuant to Chapter III planning applications. The planning division shall review the application for its conformance with State Government Code section 65915 et seq., and applicable City Codes and make a report to the planning commission. If the application involves a request for direct financial incentives, then any action by the planning commission on the application shall be advisory only, and the city council shall have the authority to make the final decision on the application.

  • (Ord. No. 06-7, § 1b., 4-18-06)

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸ 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
        Overview
        1. § 13-152. Purpose.
        2. § 13-153. Qualified project.
        3. § 13-154. Application and review process.
      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

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.