Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter V — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS›Article 6 — Planned Development

§ 13-58. Development standards.

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

Table 13-58 identifies development standards in the planned development zones. See also Article 9, General Site Improvement Standards, of this chapter for additional requirements.

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		TABLE 13-58 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
DEVELOPMENT STANDARD	PDR-LD	PDR-MD	PDR-HD	PDR-NCM	PDC	PDI
Maximum Density	8	12	20	35	20
per section13-59 MAXIMUM DENSITY CRITERIA. (dwelling units per acre)			Note: See North Costa Mesa Specifc Plan for exceptions. Note: The maximum density for 125 East Baker Street is 58 dwelling units per acre (C0-13-02). Note: The maximum density for 2277 Harbor Boulevard is 54 dwelling units per acre (C0-14-02). Note: The maximum density for 1683 Sunfower Avenue is 80 dwelling units per acre (R- 20-01) and maximum 1,057		Note: The maximum density for 1901 Newport Boulevard is 40 dwelling units per acre. See North Costa Mesa Specifc Plan for exceptions. Note: No residential development is permitted within the 23.4-acre project site generally addressed as 1375 Sunfower Ave. and 3370 Harbor Blvd.
Density in Mixed Use Projects	The density of the residential component of a mixed use Planned Development shall be calculated by dividing the total number of dwelling units proposed by that portion of the total site area 1 devoted to residential uses, including required parking, landscaping, open space, and driveways to serve the residential component. The density permitted within the residential component shall be determined by the criteria established in section 13-59MAXIMUM DENSITY CRITERIA.
Maximum Site Coverage NOTE: Site coverage of multi-story projects with integrated parking structures shall be based upon the usable foor area at the street or grade level, exclusive of parking areas, driveways, plazas, courtyards or pedestrian walkways. 2	Not applicable				30% outside the Downtown Redevelopment Project Area 35% within the Downtown Redevelopment Project Area	50%
Perimeter Open Space per section 13-61PERIMETER OPEN SPACE CRITERIA.	20 feet abutting all public rights-of-way, excluding alleys (may be reduced in the PDC and PDR-NCM zones pursuant to section13-61PERIMETER OPEN SPACE CRITERIA).
Open Space	45% of total site area , inclusive of Perimeter Open Space. See section13-60 REQUIRED OPEN SPACE CRITERIA FOR PLANNED 1		42% of total site area , inclusive of Perimeter Open Space. See section 13-60REQUIRED OPEN SPACE CRITERIA FOR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT RESIDENTIAL. See 1		See Perimeter Open Space and CHAPTER VI PARKING.

		TABLE 13-58 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
DEVELOPMENT STANDARD	PDR-LD	PDR-MD	PDR-HD	PDR-NCM	PDC	PDI
	DEVELOPMENT RESIDENTIAL.		North Costa Mesa Specifc Plan for exceptions.
Bluff-top Setback.	No building or structure closer than 10 feet from bluff crest (see section 13-62(h) ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS).
Maximum Floor Area Ratio	Refer to CHAPTER V, ARTICLE 8 FLOOR AREA RATIOS.
Minimum Development Lot Area required for a rezone	1 acre
PARKING (See Chapter VI).
LANDSCAPING (See Chapter VII).
SIGNS (See Chapter VIII).
PROJECTIONS (Maximum depth of projections given)
Roof or Eaves Overhang; Awning	2 feet 6 inches into required side setback or building separation area. 5 feet into required front or rear setback.
Open, unenclosed stairways.	2 feet 6 inches into required setback area.
Chimneys	2 feet above maximum building height.
Fireplaces	2 feet into required setback or building separation area
Uses Underroof	All nonresidential uses shall be conducted underroof except as allowed by a minor conditional use permit or as permitted elsewhere in this Zoning Code. Exceptions include sidewalk sales and parking lot sales which are allowed on the basis of 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 main use)	Permitted in nonresidential areas of a planned development 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; and storage complies with all applicable codes and regulations including, but not limited to, the Uniform Fire Code. Shipping containers shall also comply with setback requirements for structures, foor area ratio standards, and parking requirements. A permanent foundation shall be required for shipping containers. Storage not meeting these criteria requires approval of a minor conditional use permit.
Master Plan Required	Yes. Preliminary master plan is optional pursuant to section 13-56(a).
Common Interest Developments	Permitted. Refer to Chapter V, Article 2, common interest developments. In any instance where the development standards in Chapter V, Article 2 confict with the development standards in this article, the development standards in this article shall take precedence.
SMALL LOT RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

		TABLE 13-58 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Minimum Lot Size	5,000 square feet with an overall average of 5,500 square feet. The required perimeter open space and any common lot shall not be included in the calculation of lot size. Note: Lot sizes may be reduced proportionately if other useable open space is provided within the overall development.		3,000 square feet with an overall average of 3,500 square feet. The required perimeter open space and any common lot shall not be included in the calculation of lot size. Note: Lot sizes may be reduced proportionately if other useable open space is provided within the overall development.		Not applicable.
Minimum Lot Width	40 feet
Maximum Number of Stories & Building Height	2 stories/27 feet Note: Lofts, as defned in section13-6, without exterior access and having only clerestory windows will not be regarded as a story. See also Attic discussion below.
Attics	Attics shall not be heated or cooled, nor contain any electrical outlets or operable windows.

			TABLE 13-58 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
DEVELOPMENT STANDARD		PDR-LD	PDR-MD	PDR-HD	PDR-NCM	PDC	PDI
		Attics above second stories shall be an integral part of the second story roofine and not appear as a 3rd story on any building elevation. Windows in any attic space above the second story shall be incidental and limited to a dormer style.
Private Open Space for Individual Dwelling Unit Lots		40% overall, with a minimum 400 square-foot area with no dimension less than 15 feet.
Mechanical equipment, excluding antennas and fush- mounted solar panels on roofs		Roof-top location is prohibited.
Minimum Front Setback for Individual Dwelling Unit Lots		5 feet _Exception:_If a sidewalk is provided along the front of the lot, the garage shall be set back less than 9 feet or more than 23 feet from the face of the street curb. If a sidewalk is not provided along the front of the lot, the garage shall be either setback 5 feet or more than 19 feet from the face of the street curb.
Minimum Side Setback for Individual Dwelling Unit Lots		0 feet on one side; 10 feet combination of both sides.
Minimum Rear Setback for Individual Dwelling Unit Lots			5 feet
2-car garage required			Yes
Automatic Garage Door Opener		Required - if garage is set back less than 9 feet from the face of the street curb.
Pools and Spas		Above-ground pools and spas shall not be located in the required front yard setback from a public street and are subject to 5-foot side and rear yard setbacks for main structures. Additional setbacks may be applicable pursuant to building code requirements.
Notes:
1	Site area is defned as the area equal to the original lot size, less the are				a occupied by adjacent dedicated streets.
2	Site coverage is defned as that portion of the site area within planned development commercial and industrial projects occupied by buildings. Site coverage shall not include parking structures, surface parking lots, driveways, plazas, courtyards or sidewalks.
(Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 98-5, § 14, 3-2-98; Ord. No. 01-16, § 1m., 6-18-01; Ord. No. 02-9, § 1f, 7-1-02; Ord. No. 04-4, § 3, 4-5-04; Ord. No. 05-3, § 1f., 2-7-05; Ord. No. 07-2, § 1h., 2-6-07; Ord. No. 14-06, § 1, 5-20-14; Ord. No. 16-13, § 3, 11-15-16; Ord. No. 2024-06, 6/18/2024)

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