Costa Mesa · community
Community pulse
What residents are talking about in Costa Mesa public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
Business License Tax Reform
Measure Q First-Time Homebuyer Program
PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO EXPLORE TWO CITY BALLOT INITIATIVES PERTAINING TO BUSINESS LICENSE REFORM AND TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget
Federal Grant Funding & Nonprofit Allocation (CDBG/HOME)
In the news
12 articlesRecent coverage of Costa Mesa from local and regional media.
Costa Mesa approves $19.4M Fire Station No. 2 rebuild, amid pushback on financing
A total rebuild of 80-year-old Fire Station No. 2 will be largely funded by $14 million to $16 million in lease revenue bonds, a strategy that doesn't sit well with some.
Oct 31, 2026Teens work, drive and pay taxes. But should they vote? This California city will soon decide
Arlo Meighan-Thiel is 16, and he's ready to vote. Not in two years, when he becomes a legal adult.
Oct 28, 2026El Niño flooding grips Newport Beach in a vise. 'Mother Nature comes to collect some tax'
A mix of astronomical and tidal events are converging with unusually warm waters off Southern California's coast to push the tides higher than ever before, sending surges of water into beach cities like Newport Beach and Redondo Beach.
Oct 27, 2026Costa Mesa Voters Question Candidates on Immigrant Rights and Affordable Housing
Costa Mesa residents are gearing up for the upcoming November election – grilling candidates on immigration and housing – issues that the city has long since grappled with. A host of city council candidates spo...
Oct 20, 2026First Costa Mesa council candidates forum since 2018 marks 4 no-shows
A potentially robust debate Thursday over safety, immigration enforcement and affordability — hosted by a coalition of community advocates — became a talk about what Democratic candidates would do if elected in November.
Oct 17, 2026Costa Mesa notches a double win for Westside park spaces
Costa Mesa officials are advancing efforts to expand and beautify open space on the city’s west side, celebrating a newly renovated Ketchum-Libolt Park this week shortly after approving a community center conce...
Oct 15, 2026Costa Mesa motorists will soon have to pump the brakes in school zones
Motorists and e-bikes traveling near Costa Mesa schools will soon have to slow their roll, after city leaders last week approved a plan to reduce speed limits by an additional 5 mph on residential streets withi...
Oct 14, 2026As state pressure over housing mounts, Costa Mesa agrees to rehear Ohio House appeal
Costa Mesa officials agreed Tuesday to reconsider an appeal by operators of sober living home Ohio House ahead of a rehearing later this month, potentially ending a yearslong legal battle over the facility’s ri...
Oct 9, 2026As Costa Mesa mulls issues of surveillance, privacy, CMPD expands its drone force
Costa Mesa police sought to expand the use of drone technology this week. The proposal didn't fly with those already concerned about privacy and surveillance issues raised by CMPD's use of Flock cameras.
Oct 7, 2026Costa Mesa's bid for animal services provider skirts citizen oversight, raises questions
After terminating an agreement with its animal services provider earlier this year, Costa Mesa is about to award a new contract. And while a selection has not yet been made, the terms on the table are drastical...
Oct 3, 20262026 Election: Costa Mesa Measure C would raise license fee for bigger businesses
2026 Election: Costa Mesa Measure C would raise license fee for bigger businesses Orange County Register
Oct 1, 2026Costa Mesa officials approve density bonus plan for 21 ownership units on 1.49 acres
By Sara Cardine Staff Writer Sept. 30, 2026 2:38 PM PT A plan to build 21 single-family homes on a 1.49-acre lot in Costa Mesa formerly occupied by a mobile home park sailed through the city’s planning c...
Sep 30, 2026