TITLE:
title
ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER XVI (PROHIBITION ON SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF NITROUS OXIDE) TO TITLE 11 (OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS) OF THE COSTA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE UNLAWFUL SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF NITROUS OXIDE IN THE CITY
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: JASON CHAMNESS, CAPTAIN
CONTACT INFORMATION: JASON CHAMNESS 714-754-5272
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 2025-xx, adding Chapter XVI (Prohibition on Sale or Distribution of Nitrous Oxide) to Title 11 (Offenses-Miscellaneous) of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code to establish regulations prohibiting the unlawful sale or distribution of nitrous oxide in the City.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Costa Mesa Municipal Code does not currently have an ordinance that would prohibit the sale and distribution of Nitrous Oxide.
On September 2, 2025, a first reading of a proposed ordinance adding Chapter XVI (Prohibition on Sale or Distribution of Nitrous Oxide) to Title 11 (Offenses-Miscellaneous) were presented to City Council. City Council approved moving the ordinance forward by a vote of 7-0 with no amendments.
ANALYSIS:
This ordinance is being presented for final adoption.
The proposed ordinance would add a new Chapter XVI (Prohibition on Sale or Distribution of Nitrous Oxide) to Title 11 (Offenses - Miscellaneous) of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code. The proposed ordinance makes it unlawful for any person to sell, attempt to sell, offer, distribute, or otherwise provide to any person nitrous oxide, a device to dispense or administer Nitrous oxide, or any device that contains any quantity of nitrous oxide. This ordinance does not apply to those exceptions identified in 11-406 (Exceptions to Prohibition).
Costa Mesa needs this ordinance to preserve the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable community members (youth). This ordinance is a preventative measure that targets the root...
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