Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Costa Mesa public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
6 topics in taxes budget
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)
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Update
In the News
12 articlesRecent coverage of Costa Mesa from local and regional media.
How California is fast-tracking construction of much-needed college student housing
California cuts red tape and exempts campus projects from environmental review to fast-track affordable college student housing.
Oct 20, 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, 2026Newport Beach calls new local emergency as battered coastline braces for king tides
Less than two weeks after flooding from Tropical Storm Rachel, city heads declared a second local emergency Monday, authorizing $1.5 million to relocate sand from the mouth of the Santa Ana River to badly eroded beaches.
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, 2026Risking arrest, he paints illicit crosswalks across L.A. 'We can’t wait any longer'
In a neighborhood touched by tragedy, where residents say speeding is rampant, guerrilla activist Jonathan Hale and his group painted crosswalks without permission.
Oct 16, 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, 2026Here are the threats that remain from storm Rachel and the weather whiplash that comes next
The National Weather Service forecasters project the worst of storm Rachel has passed for Southern California — but the coast must withstand two more potentially damaging high tides.
Oct 12, 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, 2026More OC Cities to Review Automated License Plate Reader Contracts
Elected officials in two Orange County cities are expected to consider if they want to stop using automated license plate readers amid growing privacy concerns from residents around the technology that police o...
Oct 6, 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, 2026