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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and DevelopmentChapter IX — SPECIAL LAND USE REGULATIONSArticle 8 — Motels

§ 13-175. Application to existing businesses.

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

The requirements of this chapter, specifically including the long-term occupancy restrictions in section 13-174(a), shall apply to all motels in the city, whether it is new or was in existence prior to the effective date of this ordinance. (Ord. No. 14-11, § 1, 8-5-14)

§ 13-175.1. Application to existing tenants.

  • (a) Nothing in this chapter shall require an existing tenant of a long-term occupancy, established prior to the effective date of this chapter, to move out of a unit they are already occupying. Those pre-existing long-term occupancies may continue pursuant to the terms of the existing lease or agreement, until that tenancy terminates by its own terms under the law.

  • (b) Whenever a long-term occupancy terminates, for whatever reason, the property owner/motel operator shall not re-lease that unit for a new long-term occupancy, except to the degree the motel will be in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

  • (Ord. No. 14-11, § 1, 8-5-14)

§ 13-175.2. Procedure for compliance.

  • (a) Within 30 days of the effective date of this ordinance, the city shall notify the owners and operators of each motel in the city of the ordinance's adoption. The city shall send a copy of the ordinance, a "longterm occupancy form," and a schedule for compliance via certified return receipt mail. If a notice is returned, the city shall send the notice via standard U.S. mail.

  • (b) Within 30 days of the mailing of the notice in section 13-175.2(a), the property owner/motel operator shall submit a fully completed "long-term occupancy form" to the city that provides the total number of rooms used as long-term occupancies during the preceding 60 days; identify the long-term occupant by a valid driver's license or other valid identification; the make, year, and model of any vehicle parked on-site or off-site; and any other information to demonstrate compliance with the ordinance. If a property owner/motel operator fails to submit the long-term occupancy form, in addition to taking any other action authorized by law, the city shall estimate the total number of rooms used as long-term occupancies at zero.

  • (Ord. No. 14-11, § 1, 8-5-14)

§ 13-175.3. Conditional use permit for long-term occupancies.

A property owner/motel operator may apply for a conditional use permit authorizing the facility to exceed the long-term occupancy limits in section 13-174(a), subject to restrictions of the issuing authority. In order to be granted a conditional use permit under this section, the property owner/motel operator must demonstrate compliance with, and the city shall make a finding that, each of the following standards have been met:

  • (a) The motel must have a minimum of at least 75 rooms.

  • (b) Fireproof safety deposit boxes must be available to all occupants of the motel.

  • (c) Each guest room shall be provided regularly-scheduled maid, mail and housekeeping services. Such services shall be provided at least once every three days during any consecutive occupancy and at least once between each occupancy.

  • (d) Each room shall be a minimum of 375 square feet.

  • (e) The motel shall maintain on-site laundry services, available for use by guests.

  • (f) The proposed use is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, uses, zoning and general plan.

  • (g) Each guest room shall have a fully equipped kitchen with an area for the preparation of food, and include the following: sink, cook top, oven and/or microwave oven, and refrigerator.

  • (Ord. No. 14-11, § 1, 8-5-14)

§ 13-175.4. Termination of tenancy.

The provisions of this article shall not be used to terminate a tenancy in violation of the requirements of California Civil Code section 1940 et seq.

(Ord. No. 14-11, § 1, 8-5-14)

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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
    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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