Costa Mesa MG zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

MG 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 MG

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 feet § 13-53 · code text Table row “Maximum Building/Structure Height”, column “MG”: 2 stories/30 feet
Maximum number of stories	2 stories § 13-53 · code text Table row “Maximum Building/Structure Height”, column “MG”: 2 stories/30 feet
Minimum front setback	10 feet Applies: Interior lot. § 13-53 · code text Table row “Front”, column “MG”: Interior lot: 10 feet Corner lot: 15 feet Exception: If the property is adjacent to a residential zone on either side, the front setback is 20 feet.
Minimum side setback	0 feet Applies: Interior lot. § 13-53 · code text Table row “Side”, column “MG”: Interior lot: 0 feet Corner lot: 15 feet on the street 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 feet Applies: if the rear line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line § 13-53 · code text Table row “Rear (Interior)”, column “MG”: All lots: 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	10,000 square feet Applies: newly subdivided lots § 13-53 · code text Table row “Minimum Lot Area for newly subdivided lots”, column “MG”: 10,000 square feet

Uses in MG

Uses the code's use tables allow in MG, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in MG:

Minimum front setback: 15 feet — corner lot § 13-53
Minimum front setback: 20 feet — property adjacent to a residential zone on either side § 13-53
Minimum side setback: 15 feet — corner lot, street side § 13-53
Minimum side setback: 2 times the building height — side property line adjacent to a residential zone § 13-53
Minimum rear setback: 2 times the building height — rear property line adjacent to a residential zone § 13-53
Minimum rear setback: 10 feet — rear abutting a public street § 13-53

Not on this page

We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR, density limit for MG 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Costa Mesa's MG zone?

30 feet — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-53.

What is the maximum number of stories in Costa Mesa's MG zone?

2 stories — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-53.

What is the minimum front setback in Costa Mesa's MG zone?

10 feet (interior lot) — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-53.

What is the minimum side setback in Costa Mesa's MG zone?

0 feet (interior lot) — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-53.

What is the minimum rear setback in Costa Mesa's MG zone?

0 feet (if the rear line is adjacent to a residential zone: 2 times the building height from that line) — Costa Mesa Municipal Code § 13-53.

General information, not legal advice.