Costa Mesa adopts ordinance requiring staffing and signage at self‑service checkouts

The Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance imposing staffing and signage requirements for self‑service checkout stations in qualifying grocery and drug retail stores.

Staff summarized the ordinance as adding Article 7 to Chapter 2 of Title 9 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code. The measure applies to food retail establishments over specified square‑foot thresholds and to drug retail establishments. It requires a minimum of one employee per three self‑service stations, signage limiting self‑checkout to about 15 items, and restrictions on using self‑checkout for items with theft deterrent packaging. The ordinance includes a 15‑day cure period for violations and retains private right‑of‑action enforcement with specified penalties.

Government Affairs Manager Barkman told council the draft incorporated prior direction and amendments, including delaying implementation for 60 days after adoption and an extended cure period. Councilmembers debated labor‑law overlap, safety for workers, economic impacts and enforcement methods. Public commenters both urged and opposed the measure: some said it would protect grocery workers from theft and dangerous situations, while others called it unnecessary regulation that could harm businesses and sales tax receipts.

After discussion, Councilmember Andrea Marr moved to approve staff’s recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed 5‑2 (Councilmembers Pettis and Beaulieu recorded as voting no). The council also directed staff to report back within a year on implementation.

Next steps: the ordinance takes effect according to its schedule in the text (60 days after adoption per amendments); staff will return with an implementation update in one year.