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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter V — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS›Article 1 — Residential Districts

§ 13-33. Accessory buildings and structures.

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

  • (a) Accessory buildings or structures constructed closer than 75 feet from the front property line or on the front one-half (½) of the lot, whichever is less, shall be reviewed by the planning division for adequate screening and compatibility with the main structure.

  • (b) Underground structures including fallout shelters shall be allowed to be constructed on any part of the lot provided they are built below grade level.

(c) Shipping containers are prohibited in residential zones.

  • (Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 98-5, § 9, 3-2-98)

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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
      Overview
      1. ▸ Article 1 — Residential Districts
        Overview
        1. § 13-31. Purpose.
        2. § 13-32. Development standards.
        3. § 13-33. Accessory buildings and structures.
        4. § 13-34. Bluff-top development.
        5. § 13-35. Accessory dwelling units.
        6. § 13-36. Two-unit housing development.
        7. § 13-37. Large family day care homes.
        8. § 13-38. Additional property development standards for the mul…
      2. Article 2 — Residential Common Interest Developments
      3. Article 2.5 — Residential Small lot Subdivisions
      4. Article 3 — Commercial Districts
      5. Article 4 — Establishments Where Food or Beverages are Served
      6. Article 4.5 — Development Standards for Churches and Other Pla…
      7. Article 5 — Industrial Districts
      8. Article 5.5 — Non-Residential Common Interest Developments
      9. Article 6 — Planned Development
      10. Article 7 — Institutional and Recreational, Institutional and …
      11. Article 8 — Floor Area Ratios
      12. Article 9 — General Site Improvement Standards
      13. Article 10 — Floodway and Floodplain Districts
      14. Article 11 — Mixed-Use Overlay District
      15. Article 12 — Residential Incentive Overlay District
      16. Article 1 — Residential Districts
      17. Article 2 — Non-Residential Districts
      18. Article 3 — 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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