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

§ 13-50. Development standards for drive-through operations.

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

Establishments with drive-through operations shall comply with the following development standards, unless the standards are modified through the issuance of a minor conditional use permit.

  • (a) Drive-through lanes shall not obstruct the circulation routes necessary for ingress or egress from the property, parking areas (including back-out of parking spaces), and pedestrian walkways.

  • (b) Each drive-through lane shall be striped, marked or otherwise distinctly delineated, and shall be a minimum of 11 feet wide.

  • (c) On-site entrances to drive-through lanes shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from drive approaches from public or private streets or alleys.

  • (d) Each drive-through lane shall be a minimum of 160 feet in length, unless modified by the zoning administrator. The length of the drive-through lane shall be measured from its entrance point to the pick-up window.

  • (e) Vehicle stacking areas of drive-through lanes shall be a minimum distance of 10 feet from outdoor seating and play areas.

  • (f) Application for a minor conditional use permit shall include an operation statement indicating the physical improvements and operational measures proposed to minimize idling vehicle emissions.

  • (g) Establishments within 200 feet of residentially-zoned property shall also be subject to the development standards contained in section 13-49 , Development standards for establishments within 200 feet of residentially-zoned property.

  • (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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