Article 3 — Commercial Districts — Costa Mesa Zoning Code

§ 13-43. Purpose. ¶

The purpose of this article is to achieve the following:

(a) Provide adequate space to meet the needs of commercial development.
(b) Minimize traffic congestion and avoid overloading of utilities.
(c) Protect "sensitive" areas from excessive noise, illumination, unsightliness, odor, smoke and other objectionable influences associated with commercial areas.

(d) Promote high standards of site planning and landscape design for commercial development. (Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97)

§ 13-44. Development standards. ¶

Table 13-44 identifies development standards for the various commercial zones. See also Article 9, General Site Improvement Standards of this chapter for additional requirements.

	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	P	AP	CL	C1	C2	C1-S	TC
Minimum Lot Area for newly created lots	6,000 square feet			12,000 square feet		5 acres	See Master Plan
Minimum Lot Width for newly subdivided lots	120 feet Note: All newly subdivided lots shall have frontage on a dedicated street equal to, or in excess of, the required minimum lot width.			120 feet Note: All newly subdivided lots shall have frontage on a dedicated street equal to, or in excess of, the required minimum lot width.			None
	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	TABLE 13-44 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS	P	AP	CL	C1	C2	C1-S	TC
Minimum Lot Width	Interior Lot: 50 feet Corner Lot: 60 feet			60 feet			None
Maximum Floor Area Ratio	Refer to CHAPTER V, ARTICLE 8, FLOOR AREA RATIOS.
Maximum Building/Structure Height	2 stories/30 feet (except a 5% increase is allowed if necessary to scr			een existing roof-mounted equipment)			None
SETBACKS FOR MAIN BUILDINGS AND ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES (Minimum distances given, unless otherwise noted. All setbacks from streets are measured from the ultimate property line shown on the master plan of highways.)
Front	20 feet
Side (Interior)	15 feet on one side and 0 feet on the other side. Exception: If the side property line is adjacent to a residential zone, all buildings shall maintain a side setback from the residential property line of 2 times the building height at all locations.						None
Rear (Interior)	0 feet Exception: If the rear property line is adjacent to a residential zone, all buildings shall maintain a rear setback from the residential property line of 2 times the building height at all locations.						None
Side or Rear abutting a public street	20 feet for secondary, primary or major streets per the master plan of highways. 15 feet for all other streets.						20 feet—see also subsections 13- 45(f) and (g).
PROJECTIONS (Maximum depth of projections given)
Roof or Eaves overhang; Awning	2 feet 6 inches into required side setback. 5 feet into required front or rear setback.						None
Open, unenclosed Stairways.	2 feet 6 inches into required setback area.						None
PARKING (See CHAPTER	VI)
LANDSCAPING (See CHAPTER VII)
SIGNS (See CHAPTER VIII)
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Planned Signing Program	Not required					Required (see CHAPTER VIII, SIGNS)
Master Plan	Not required					Required: The fnal review authority is the Planning Commission (see CHAPTER III, PLANNING APPLICATIONS)
Uses Underroof	All uses shall be conducted underroof except as allowed by a minor conditional use permit or as permitted elsewhere in this Zoning Code. Exception: Sidewalk and parking lot sales may be allowed for a maximum of 4 sales per fscal year with a maximum length of 3 days per sale and subject to obtaining a business permit.
Outdoor Storage (incidental to the main use)	Permitted when: Storage does not interfere with required parking or vehicular access; storage is not in required setback area abutting a public right-of-way; storage does not decrease required landscaping; storage is completely screened from view from street or adjacent properties; storage complies with all applicable codes and regulations including, but not limited to, the Uniform Fire Code. Storage not meeting these criteria requires approval of a minor conditional use permit. Shipping containers that comply with setback requirements for structures, foor area ratio standards, parking requirements, are placed on a permanent foundation and used for storage purposes only, may be permitted with a building permit.

(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 98-5, § 11, 3-2-98; Ord. No. 02-4, § 1d, 3-18-02; Ord. No. 02-9, § 1c, 7-1-02; Ord. No. 05-2, § 1g., 2-22-05; Ord. No. 21-20, § 1, 12-7-21)

§ 13-45. Additional property development standards for the commercial districts. ¶

(a) (Reserved)
(b) The maximum building area shall not exceed the floor area ratios (FAR) established in the general plan for the applicable general plan land use designation as described further in Article 8, Floor Area Ratios, of this chapter.
(c) If a master plan is required for a project, all development must conform to the master plan as approved by the final review authority.
(d) Additional conditions or special requirements may be reasonably applied by other city departments to ensure that the proposed development is compatible and harmonious with existing development in the vicinity and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare. If such conditions are applied, the conditions must be fulfilled or a security posted to ensure completion of the conditions to the satisfaction of the appropriate department prior to final occupancy.
(e) Service and repair of motor vehicles and boats. The service and repair operations shall be subject to the following:
- (1) All operations shall be conducted within an enclosed building.
- (2) All areas or structures in which such operations are conducted shall be so located or treated as to prevent annoyance or a detriment to any other existing on-site uses and surrounding properties.
- (3) All activities shall be confined to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. when located within 200 feet of residentially zoned property measured from lot line to lot line.
- (4) No damaged or inoperable boats or vehicles shall be stored for purposes other than repair.
(f) In the TC district, the required landscaped side and rear setbacks from public streets may include architectural features (such as arcades, awnings, and canopies), public art, and hardscape features (such as paving, patios, planters, and street furniture) if the city council determines that:
- (1) These other features provide usable, visually interesting pedestrian amenities and facilitate pedestrian circulation;
- (2) These additional features enhance the overall urban design concept of the master plan and promote the goals of the general plan and applicable specific plan;
- (3) Adequate landscaping is retained to shade the outdoor use areas and to complement the architecture and design of buildings and pedestrian areas; and
- (4) The design of the rear and side setback areas will be compatible with contiguous development.
(g) In the TC district, buildings may encroach into the required side and rear setbacks adjacent to public streets if the city council determines that:
- (1) An adequate, well-defined pedestrian circulation system is provided within the master plan;
- (2) Pedestrian-oriented landscaped and/or public use areas (plazas, patios, etc.) are provided within the master plan;
- (3) The reduced open space area will not be detrimental to developments on contiguous properties;
- (4) The reduced building setback will not deprive the street nor other properties of necessary light and air; and
(5) These additional features enhance the overall urban design concept of the master plan and promote the goals of the city's general plan and applicable specific plan.
(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 02-4, § 1e, 3-18-02; Ord. No. 02-9, § 1d, 7-1-02; Ord. No. 21-20, § 1, 12-7-21)