TITLE:
title
ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA, REQUIRING STAFFING AT SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT STATIONS
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DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
PRESENTED BY: JAY BARKMAN, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: JAY BARKMAN, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER (714) 754-5347
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-XX Adding Article 7 of Chapter II of Title 9 to the Costa Mesa Municipal Code relating to Grocery and Drug Store Staffing Standards for Self-Service Checkout Stations, and direct staff to return to City Council with a report on implementation and outcomes in one year.
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BACKGROUND:
At the November 4, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to return with a draft ordinance replicating the City of Long Beach's ordinance.
At the January 20, 2026, City Council meeting, the City Council received public comments and directed staff to revise the draft ordinance. The revisions included removing the alternative compliance language, addressing food retail stores over 85,000 square feet, and including local store management in the notice of violation requirements. Staff was further directed to return to Council in one year for a review.
At the February 4, 2026, City Council meeting, Councilmember Reynolds proposed amendments to the proposed ordinance extending the cure period from seven (7) to fifteen (15) days, delaying the effective period of ordinance from 30 days to 60 days, adjusting the language on the 15 item limit to require only signage that self-checkout is limited to about 15 items, and revising the in store notification language for customers to eliminate reference to enforcement options. The motion passed 6-0 and staff has revised the proposed Ordinance to reflect the amendments (Attachment 1).
ANALYSIS:
The proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) requires food and drug retail establishments to have dedicated staffing of one employee per th...
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