Costa Mesa · Zoning · C1-S
Costa Mesa C1-S zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Costa Mesa's C1-S zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5 acres, with the conditions listed below (Costa Mesa code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (The limit is 2 stories and 30 ft; a 5% increase is allowed if needed to screen existing roof-mounted equipment.)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (a 5% increase is allowed if needed to screen existing roof-mounted equipment)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft on one side and 0 ft on the other side (if the side line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line)
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft (if the rear line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line)
- Minimum lot size: 5 acres (newly created lots)
C1-S is a zoning district in Costa Mesa. Every value below was read from the Costa Mesa Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in C1-S
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 30 ft Applies: The limit is 2 stories and 30 ft; a 5% increase is allowed if needed to screen existing roof-mounted equipment. § 13-44 · code textTable row “Maximum Building/Structure Height”, column “C1-S”: 2 stories/30 feet (except a 5% increase is allowed if necessary to screen existing roof-mounted equipment) |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: a 5% increase is allowed if needed to screen existing roof-mounted equipment § 13-44 · code textTable row “Maximum Building/Structure Height”, column “C1-S”: 2 stories/30 feet (except a 5% increase is allowed if necessary to screen existing roof-mounted equipment) |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 13-44 · code textTable row “Front”, column “C1-S”: 20 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft on one side and 0 ft on the other side Applies: if the side line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line § 13-44 · code textTable row “Side (Interior)”, column “C1-S”: 15 feet on one side and 0 feet on the other side. Exception: If the side property line is adjacent to a residential zone, all buildings shall maintain a side setback from the residential property line of 2 times the building height at all locations. |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft Applies: if the rear line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line § 13-44 · code textTable row “Rear (Interior)”, column “C1-S”: 0 feet Exception: If the rear property line is adjacent to a residential zone, all buildings shall maintain a rear setback from the residential property line of 2 times the building height at all locations. |
| Minimum lot size | 5 acres Applies: newly created lots § 13-44 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Area for newly created lots”, column “C1-S”: 5 acres |
Uses in C1-S
Uses the code's use tables allow in C1-S, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C1-S:
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR, density limit for C1-S in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Costa Mesa Municipal Code.
Other Costa Mesa zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Costa Mesa's C1-S zone?
30 ft (the limit is 2 stories and 30 ft; a 5% increase is allowed if needed to screen existing roof-mounted equipment) — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-44.
What is the maximum number of stories in Costa Mesa's C1-S zone?
2 stories (a 5% increase is allowed if needed to screen existing roof-mounted equipment) — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-44.
What is the minimum front setback in Costa Mesa's C1-S zone?
20 ft — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-44.
What is the minimum side setback in Costa Mesa's C1-S zone?
15 ft on one side and 0 ft on the other side (if the side line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line) — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-44.
What is the minimum rear setback in Costa Mesa's C1-S zone?
0 ft (if the rear line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line) — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-44.
General information, not legal advice.
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