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

§ 13-61. Perimeter open space criteria.

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

This area shall be kept free of buildings and structures and permanently maintained in landscaping. If the design of this buffer area enhances the overall development plan and is readily accessible to the residents of the planned development, it may be included as partial fulfillment of the common open space requirements listed in section 13-60 required open space criteria for planned development residential.

Exceptions:

  • (a) In planned development commercial and planned development residential—North Costa Mesa districts, the required perimeter open space may include, in addition to landscaping, architectural features (such as arcades, awnings, and canopies) and hardscape features (such as paving, patios, planters, and street furniture) if the planning commission 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 planned development and promote the goals of the general plan, applicable specific plan, and/or redevelopment plan;

    • (3) Adequate landscaping is retained to shade the outdoor use areas and to complement the architecture and the design of buildings and pedestrian areas; and

    • (4) The design of the perimeter setback area will be compatible with contiguous development.

  • (b) In planned development commercial and planned development residential—North Costa Mesa districts, buildings may encroach into the required perimeter open space if the planning commission determines that:

    • (1) An adequate, well defined pedestrian circulation system is provided within the planned development;

    • (2) Pedestrian oriented landscaped and/or public use areas (plazas, patios, etc.) are provided within the planned development;

    • (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 planned development and promote the goals of the city's general plan, applicable specific plan and/or redevelopment plan.

  • (Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 05-14, § 1f., 1g., 11-1-05)

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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
      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
        Overview
        1. § 13-55. Purpose.
        2. § 13-56. Master plan required.
        3. § 13-57. Site design concept.
        4. § 13-58. Development standards.
        5. § 13-59. Maximum density criteria.
        6. § 13-60. Required open space criteria for planned development …
        7. § 13-61. Perimeter open space criteria.
        8. § 13-62. Additional development standards.
        9. § 13-63. Phased planned developments.
      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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