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Title 13 — Planning, Zoning and Development›Chapter VIII — SIGNS›Article 5 — Nonconforming Signs

§ 13-122. Loss of legal nonconforming status.

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

  • (a) A legal nonconforming sign may lose this designation if:

    • (1) The sign is removed or relocated for any period of time except to be replaced by a new sign of the same type which reduces the nonconformity by at least 50%;

    • (2) The structure or size of the sign is altered in any way except to reduce its nonconformity by at least 50%; or

    • (3) The sign is damaged or destroyed by any means to an extent of more than 50% of its total replacement cost.

  • (b) When a legal nonconforming sign loses this designation, it shall be brought into conformance with the provisions of this chapter or removed from the site within 90 days.

  • (c) Per section 5491.1(e) of the Business and Professions Code, any amendment to Chapter VIII of Title 13 applies only to new onpremises advertising displays as defined in Business and Professions Code section 5490 .

  • (Ord. No. 97-11, § 2, 5-5-97; Ord. No. 02-8, § 1d, 4-15-02)

§ 13-122.1. Electronic changeable copy signs.

Existing, legal nonconforming electronic changeable copy signs shall, no later than September 1, 2002, be modified so that no message or display shall contain movement or animation, nor be displayed for a duration of less than four seconds." (Ord. No. 02-8, 4-15-02)

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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
      3. Article 3 — Sign Regulations
      4. Article 4 — Special Procedures
      5. ▸ Article 5 — Nonconforming Signs
        Overview
        1. § 13-121. Determination of legal nonconformity.
        2. § 13-122. Loss of legal nonconforming status.
      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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