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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter V — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS›Article 4 — Establishments Where Food or Beverages are Served

§ 13-47. Permitted and conditionally permitted uses.

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

Establishments where food or beverages are served are subject to the review and approval procedures shown in Table 13-47 (a) and (b). In instances where more than one review procedure is applicable to an establishment, the more stringent procedure shall apply.

TABLE 13-47(a)
PERMITTED AND CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USES
LOCATION AND OPERATIONAL
CHARACTERISTICS		 C1-S C1 C2 CL TC PD MG MP
Establishments with 300 square feet
or less of indoor public area.
3		 P
or P
1,2		 P P MC P or P
1		 P or P
1		 P P
Establishments with more than 300
square feet of indoor public area.
3		 P or P
1		 P P MC P or P
1		 P or P
1		 MC MC
EXCEPTIONS
Located within 200 feet of a
residential zone. (Subject to the
requirements of section13-49,
Development Standards for section
13-49, Development Standards for		 P or P
1		 P P MC P or P
1		 P or P
1		 P P
TABLE 13-47(a)
PERMITTED AND CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USES
LOCATION AND OPERATIONAL
CHARACTERISTICS		 C1-S C1 C2 CL TC PD MG MP
Establishments Within 200 Feet of
Residentially Zoned Property)
3
Sale of alcoholic beverages for on-
site consumption after 11:00 p.m.
and/or provision of live
entertainment or dancing located
within 200 feet of a residential
zone.
3		 P or C
1		 C C C P or C
1		 P or C
1		 C C
Sale of alcoholic beverages for on-
site consumption after 11:00 p.m.
and/or provision of live
entertainment or dancing located not
within 200 feet of a residential
zone.
3		 P or MC
1		 MC MC MC P or MC
1		 P or MC
1		 MC MC
Drive-through operations. (Subject
to the requirements of section13-
50, Development Standards for
Drive-Through Operations)
3		 P or MC
1		 MC MC MC P or MC
1		 P or MC
1		 MC MC
Establishments with less than 300
square feet of indoor public area
located in a multi-tenant center
where 30% or more of the tenants
are similar businesses, i.e.,
establishments with less than 300
square feet of indoor public area.
3		 P or MC
1		 MC MC MC P or MC
1		 P or MC
1		 MC MC
Establishments with a micro
brewery
3		 P or C
1		 C C C P or C
1		 P or C
1		 C C
Notes:
Pursuant to an approved master plan which specifes these operational characteristics and/or location of the business.
For the purposes of this table, the symbols shall have the following meaning: P=Permitted; MC=Minor Conditional Use Permit;
C=Conditional Use Permit.
Outdoor dining and seating areas may be considered as part of a proposed land use if allowed in the zoning district, and pursuant
to the provisions, regulations and standards of this Article.
1
2
3
TABLE 13-47 (b)
OUTDOOR DINING AREA PERMITTING PROCESS
1
LOCATION OF OUTDOOR AREAS AND OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS Approval Process
Courtyard Area P
2
Setback Area - Expansion of up to 50% of indoor public area outdoors.
1		 P
2
Setback Area - Expansion of more than 50% of indoor public area outdoors.
1		 MC
2
Parking Area - Expansion of up to 50% of indoor public area outdoors and does not remove more than fve
parking spaces or 25% of existing, required parking, whichever is less.
1		 P
2
Parking Area - Expansion of more than 50% of indoor public area outdoors.
1		 MC
2
Parking Area - removal of more than fve parking spaces, or removal of more than 25% of existing,
required parking, whichever is less.
1		 MC
2

Notes:

  • 1 Temporary Use Permits for outdoor dining areas, including parklets within the public right-of-way, approved through Urgency Ordinance 2020-15 may continue to operate with staff approval; however, shall comply with applicable Building and Fire Code requirements, may not interfere with minimum required site access or circulation, and shall comply with the aesthetic development standards outlined in section 13-48 within six months from the time of ordinance adoption, with an allowed sixmonth extension of time. Outdoor dining areas approved under a temporary use permit shall also be subject to applicable fees. Any modifications to these outdoor dining areas shall be approved pursuant to this article.

  • 2 For the purposes of this table, the symbols shall have the following meaning: P=Permitted; MC=Minor Conditional Use Permit.

(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 2024-01, 1/16/2024)

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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
      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
        Overview
        1. § 13-46. Purpose.
        2. § 13-47. Permitted and conditionally permitted uses.
        3. § 13-48. General development standards.
        4. § 13-49. Development standards for establishments within two h…
        5. § 13-50. Development standards for drive-through operations.
        6. § 13-51. Applicability.
      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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