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.
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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 (Attachment 1). 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.
ANALYSIS:
The proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) requires food and drug retail establishments to have dedicated staffing of one employee per three self-checkout stations and to limit self-checkout to 15 items or less. The ordinance also prohibits secure or locked items from going through self-checkout. Enforcement of the ordinance is allowed by civil action from employees or customers.
The City Council received staff's presentation at the January 20, 2026, City Council meeting and discussed questions on staff's proposed revisions to the City of Long Beach ordinance that address Costa Mesa's landscape. Specifically, discussion occurred on the notice of violation requirements to stores providing 7 days to cure and the reliability of data to forecast consumer behavior. Council also questioned the pr...
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