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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter V — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS›Article 9 — General Site Improvement Standards

§ 13-70. Purpose.

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

The purpose of this article is to identify additional development standards for all zoning districts. The following standards shall apply to new developments and to major alterations, additions or improvements to existing developments that exceed 50% of the gross floor area of the existing improvements on the same site (an "existing development"). (Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 01-19, § 1, 8-20-01)

§ 13-70.1. Definitions.

For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply:

Improvements. Any major alteration, addition or improvement to an existing development in an R1 zone that exceeds 50% of the gross floor area of the existing improvements on the same site.

Program. That particular portion(s) of the citywide missing sidewalk program adopted by the city council that specifically address missing sidewalks in R1 zones as such is incorporated in the city's annual parkway maintenance projects.

Sidewalk. A concrete walkway adjacent to the street and within the public right-of-way, used primarily for pedestrian traffic that is constructed pursuant to city's standard No. 411. The term "sidewalk" does not include a driveway approach, curb or gutter.

Street segment. That portion of a street lying between one street intersection and the next closest intersection. (Ord. No. 01-19, § 1, 8-20-01)

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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
      10. Article 7 — Institutional and Recreational, Institutional and …
      11. Article 8 — Floor Area Ratios
      12. ▸ Article 9 — General Site Improvement Standards
        Overview
        1. § 13-70. Purpose.
        2. § 13-71. Utility requirements.
        3. § 13-72. Off-site improvement requirements.
        4. § 13-73. Trash enclosures.
        5. § 13-74. Elevation and screening requirements.
        6. § 13-75. Fences and walls.
        7. § 13-76. Right-of-way dedications.
      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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