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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter VIII — SIGNS›Article 2 — General Provisions

§ 13-112. Prohibited signs.

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

The following types of signs are prohibited in all zones:

  • (a) Signs which incorporate any flashing, moving, or intermittent lighting;

  • (b) Signs which by color, wording, design, location, or illumination resemble, obstruct, or conflict with any traffic-control device or with safe and efficient flow of traffic;

  • (c) Signs that create a safety hazard by obstructing the clear view of or passage of pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

  • (d) Banners, flags, and pennants except as authorized in Table 13-115;

  • (e) Street banners in the public right-of-way, except as authorized by section 13-118 ;

  • (f) Signs projecting into or located in the public right-of-way, except governmental signs or other types of signs as authorized by sections 13-123 , 13-123.5 and 13-127 or Chapter II of Title 19 ;

  • (g) Inflatable signs (and balloons) larger than 24 inches in any dimension;

  • (h) Portable signs, except as authorized by sections 13-123 and 13-123.5 and Table 13-115;

  • (i) Mechanical movement;

  • (j) Signs which project above a parapet or the highest point of the roof;

  • (k) Signs on public property, except as permitted under sections 13-118.1 , 13-118.2 , 13-123 and 13-123.5 ; and

(l) Electronic changeable copy signs, except theater marquees and time/temperature signs. (Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 99-10, § 2, 7-19-99; Ord. No. 02-8, § 1b, 4-15-02; Ord. No. 21-20, § 1, 12-7-21)

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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
    6. Chapter VII — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
    7. ▸ Chapter VIII — SIGNS
      Overview
      1. Article 1 — Purpose and Scope
      2. ▸ Article 2 — General Provisions
        Overview
        1. § 13-111. Definitions.
        2. § 13-112. Prohibited signs.
      3. Article 3 — Sign Regulations
      4. Article 4 — Special Procedures
      5. Article 5 — Nonconforming Signs
      6. Article 6 — Portable Signs Within the Public Right-of-Way
      7. Article 7 — Administration and Enforcement
    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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