City of Costa Mesa
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The Costa Mesa City Council has placed Measure C — the Costa Mesa Fair Business License Reform, Small Business Protection Measure — on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Costa Mesa’s business license tax rules have not been updated in 41 years. Under the current structure, many small, locally owned businesses pay a higher proportion of their revenue than large national chains. Big box stores and retailers, pay only $200 a year. Measure C is intended to make the system fairer and more proportional.
The full text of the measure is provided below:
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Measure C: The Costa Mesa Fair Business License Reform, Without taxing residents, shall the measure be adopted, updating Costa Mesa’s 41-year-old business license tax, ensuring large businesses pay their proportionate share and helping fund general city services including keeping public areas safe/clean; preventing crime/burglaries; addressing homelessness; maintaining Costa Mesa’s financial stability; revising the tax rate to 50¢ per $1,000 gross receipts, with no increase for small businesses; generating approximately $5,600,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring audits, spending disclosure, funds locally controlled? |
The measure would not tax residents. Funds would remain locally controlled and could help maintain general City services, including keeping public areas safe and clean, preventing crime and burglaries, addressing homelessness, and maintaining Costa Mesa’s financial stability.
See below for answers to frequently asked questions.
Learn more about Measure C:
Learn more about the 2026 General Municipal Election: