Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Costa Mesa

Each rule below links to the section of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Costa Mesa's code says

Costa Mesa code What Costa Mesa's code adds
How long units stay affordable	At least 55 years or as the agreement states; may end after 55 years only if redeveloped as non-residential. Applies: Applies to for-rent residential projects subject to the chapter. § 13-331 · code text The affordable units shall remain affordable for not less than 55 years or as stated in the affordable housing agreement or other agreement(s).
Fee instead of units	The fee follows a schedule adopted by the city council. Applies: Applies to rental projects and any fractional number of affordable units required. § 13-332 · code text In-lieu fees shall be paid according to a fee schedule adopted by the city council. A fractional in-lieu fee payment follows the adopted in-lieu fee schedule. Applies: Applies to rental projects of 50 or more dwelling units; any partial affordable unit is calculated, or rounded up to the next whole number. § 13-331 · code text For any partial affordable unit calculated, the applicant shall pay a fractional in-lieu fee payment in accordance with the adopted in-lieu fee schedule or round up the calculation to the highest whole number.
Projects it applies to	Inclusionary rules apply to projects of 50 or more dwelling units. Applies: Applies to for-rent residential projects subject to the chapter. § 13-331 · code text The affordable housing requirement is applicable to any proposed residential project with 50 dwelling units or more.
Share of affordable units	At least 10% at the low-income level, or at least 5% at the very-low income level. Applies: Applies to rental projects of 50 or more units at 60 or more units per acre, in the General Plan rezoning areas. § 13-331 · code text at least 10% of the total applicable dwelling units proposed shall be affordable at the low-income level or at least five percent at the very-low income level. At least 6% at the low-income level, or at least 4% at the very-low income level. Applies: Applies to rental projects of 50 or more units at under 60 units per acre, in the General Plan rezoning areas. § 13-331 · code text at least six percent of the total applicable dwelling units proposed shall be affordable at the low-income level or at least four percent at the very-low income level.

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Does Costa Mesa require affordable units in new housing?

Costa Mesa's code: At least 55 years or as the agreement states; may end after 55 years only if redeveloped as non-residential. (Applies to for-rent residential projects subject to the chapter.) (§ 13-331); The fee follows a schedule adopted by the city council. (Applies to rental projects and any fractional number of affordable units required.) (§ 13-332).

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Costa Mesa

What Costa Mesa's code says

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