The purpose of this article is to regulate and provide development standards for churches and other places of religious assembly to ensure land use compatibility with adjacent land uses. The proximity of residential uses to this type of assembly use is a concern of this article. Where the distance criterion of 200 feet from residentially-zoned property is given in this article, it shall be measured from the property line of the site to the property line of the nearest residentially-zoned property.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)
Churches and other places of religious assembly are subject to the review and approval procedures shown in Table 13-30 City of Costa Mesa Land Use Matrix and the applicable development standards contained in this article. Other land uses such as, but not limited to, day care facilities, nursery schools, schools, primary and incidental retail sales, such as a bookstore, and services to businesses, that are not the primary function of a church or other place of religious assembly, shall be subject to the review and approval procedures shown in Table 13-30 City of Costa Mesa Land Use Matrix for that specific land use.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)
Churches and other places of religious assembly are subject to the following development standards.
(a) 
Outdoor activity areas are permitted provided that that area does not encroach into required street setback, parking and circulation, or interior landscaped areas; except as approved through the issuance of a minor conditional use permit.
(b) 
Accessory facilities in the same or separate building are permitted, including classrooms, assembly rooms, restrooms, kitchen, and a library.
(c) 
All churches and other places of religious assembly shall comply with the review procedures indicated in Table 13-30, as well as with all other applicable development standards of this title.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)
In addition to the general development standards required under section 13-51.52, churches and other places of religious assembly that are within 200 feet of residentially-zoned property shall comply with the following development standards, unless the standards are modified through the issuance of a conditional use permit.
(a) 
All exterior lighting shall be shielded and/or directed away from residential areas.
(b) 
Outdoor public communication systems shall not be audible in adjacent residential areas.
(c) 
Trash facilities shall be screened from view and designed and located appropriately to minimize potential noise and odor impacts to adjacent residential areas.
(d) 
Outdoor activity areas shall be oriented away or sufficiently buffered from adjacent residential areas to prevent disturbance of the peaceful use of such areas by residents.
(e) 
For new construction, a landscaped planter area, a minimum of five feet in width, shall be provided as an additional buffer to adjacent residential areas. The planter area shall contain appropriate plant materials to provide an immediate and effective screen. Plant materials shall meet with the approval of the planning division. For interior alterations, the planning division may also require the construction of a landscaped planter area to buffer adjacent residential areas, if feasible.
(f) 
For new construction, all interior property lines abutting residentially-zoned property shall have a minimum six-foot high masonry wall, as measured from the highest grade. An eight-foot high masonry wall may be required, based on the church's/place's of religious assembly operational characteristics, in order to provide additional protection to adjacent residential uses. A planning application may be required for walls exceeding six feet in height. For interior alterations, the planning division may also require the construction of a masonry wall to buffer adjacent residential areas, if feasible.
(g) 
Hours of operation for religious services shall not occur any time between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(h) 
Truck deliveries shall not occur anytime between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(Ord. No. 06-18, § 1c., 9-5-06)