Moving companies in Costa Mesa, CA.

Sonic Auto Transportation

Costa Mesa, CA

★ 4.4 (6030 reviews)

Noble Moving

Costa Mesa, CA

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Local services and rules

Moving to Costa Mesa: who to call and what the city asks.

Costa Mesa is in Orange County, California, and its Residential Permit Parking program is virtual: the vehicle's license plate is the permit identifier, and enforcement uses license plate recognition cameras. The city also enforces street sweeping parking regulations at any time during the posted hours, not only when the sweeper is present.

Temporary bins and roll-off containers on the street

A $41.32 city permit is required before placing a temporary waste bin or roll-off bin in the street or public right-of-way. It covers 14 calendar days, and the Public Works front counter is at (714) 754-5323.

Dumpster storage permits are applied for through TESSA, the city's online permit system, and the application takes two business days to review. Placing a waste container on public property without the city permit is unlawful, and the city may impound the container.

Street sweeping hours

Residential streets are swept weekly between 7:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Industrial and arterial streets are swept weekly between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Parking rules for sweeping are not enforced on city-observed holidays, and the schedule resumes the following week.

Permit streets and guest passes

Streets that require permits have signs posted showing the permit requirement. Qualifying residents on those streets apply for vehicle permits and guest passes through the city's online permit management system.

A resident on a permit street with a valid driver's license and a vehicle registered to the same address is eligible for one permit, up to four per household. Permits start at $25 a year for the first permit, and guest permits are $25 for 100 guest permits per year.

Mesa Water and CR&R pickup

Mesa Water District serves most of Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach, and some unincorporated areas of Orange County including John Wayne Airport. A new resident starts water service by phone at 949.631.1200.

Starting or stopping service requires 2 days notice, and the customer services counter is at 1965 Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa. The rates and fees page lists a Service Establishment Fee of $35.00 per account.

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District administers curbside waste collection and recycling for residential properties and multi-family properties of 4 or fewer units in Costa Mesa. The current waste collection services provider is CR&R.

Library cards and Newport-Mesa enrollment

The city lists two branch libraries operated by the Orange County Public Libraries: the Donald Dungan Library at 1855 Park Ave. and the Mesa Verde Library at 2969 Mesa Verde Drive.

To apply for an OC Public Libraries card you must reside in California and provide valid ID. The card may be used at any branch of OC Public Libraries.

Newport-Mesa Unified School District has an Enrollment page with a New Student Enrollment option, and it says to call the child's school of enrollment for more information.

Dog licenses and the five-animal limit

Dogs over four months old kept in Costa Mesa must be licensed and have a current rabies vaccination. Dog licenses are issued annually, and the owner must keep both the rabies vaccination and the license current.

The annual fee is $82.64 for a non-spayed or non-neutered dog. It is $25.82 for a spayed or neutered dog, with a certificate of sterility from a licensed veterinarian required.

Keeping more than five domestic animals, or livestock, reptiles, aviaries or non-domesticated animals, requires a special permit.

Tenant Protections Ordinance

Under the city's Tenant Protections Ordinance, a landlord may not end a tenancy without an allowable just cause reason, which must be stated in the termination notice. Relocation assistance under the ordinance must be paid to the tenant within 15 days of issuing the notice to terminate tenancy.

County offices and the 311 app

The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector handles secured property tax bills, with the first installment due Nov. 1 and payable without penalty through Dec. 10.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters runs county elections, and a resident can register to vote at any Orange County Vote Center.

Costa Mesa 311 is a free smartphone app for reporting issues such as graffiti and potholes and for accessing city services.