City of Costa Mesa
Home Menu2015-2035 General Plan
Work in progress! The City of Costa Mesa is updating the Safety Element and Housing Element of the General Plan. The City is also evaluating all General Plan elements to identify policies related to environmental justice pursuant to California Government Code 65302(h)—including but not limited to—reduction of exposure to pollution and the promotion of safe and sanitary homes, public facilities, physical activity, and food access. Other updates to the Land Use, Circulation, Community Design, Noise, and Open Space and Recreation Elements are also in progress for consistency.
A general plan establishes a jurisdiction’s long-range planning and policy direction that guides both change and conservation. The Costa Mesa General Plan sets forth the vision, goals, objectives, and policies for the City through 2035. Over the long term, general plan implementation will ensure that development decisions and improvements to public and private infrastructure are consistent with this plan. California requires seven general plan elements: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, noise, safety, and open space. The County of Orange requires local cities to adopt a growth management element. Additionally, Costa Mesa adopted two optional elements that reflect local values pertaining to community design and historic and cultural resources.