The City Council has amended Costa Mesa’s sixth-cycle Housing Element and sent the revised plan to the state for certification.
Costa Mesa has taken another major step in its long-running effort to bring its state-mandated housing plan into compliance, approving a revised Housing Element that plans for 11,760 additional residential units by 2029.
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-38 on Sept. 1, adding housing opportunity sites to the plan and submitting the amended Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for certification.
What Changes in the Revised Plan
The city says the update identifies additional housing opportunity sites, documents implementation progress and responds to comments from state housing officials. Costa Mesa plans to apply its Mixed-Use Overlay District to most opportunity sites, while the former Fairview Developmental Center property is being addressed through a separate specific plan.
The city’s role is primarily to create zoning and permitting capacity for housing rather than build the homes itself. The Housing Element establishes where additional density can be accommodated and how Costa Mesa intends to meet state housing requirements.
Why This Matters to Costa Mesa
Housing policy affects development patterns, traffic, infrastructure, neighborhood character, affordability and the city’s exposure to state enforcement. The update comes after years of debate over how Costa Mesa should accommodate its assigned housing target while responding to community concerns.
The California Environmental Quality Act filing for the amendment was posted Sept. 3, stating that the changes implement Housing Element programs and comply with state law.
