Costa Mesa Passes Law Regulating Self-Checkout Lanes

New ordinance requires one attendant per three self-checkout stations and limits shoppers to 15 items or less.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Costa Mesa City Council has passed a new law regulating self-checkout lanes in local stores. The ordinance, which goes into effect on April 18, 2026, requires stores to have one attendant on hand for every three automated checkout stands that are in operation. It also limits shoppers to 15 items or less at self-checkout stations. Businesses that don't comply will face fines of up to $1,000 per day.

Why it matters

The new law is aimed at helping to curb theft and reduce strain on grocery store staff, who have described having to monitor multiple self-checkout stations while also performing other duties. Costa Mesa is the second city in the nation to pass such an ordinance, following Long Beach, which adopted similar regulations last August.

The details

The ordinance was approved by the Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday, with a 5-2 vote. Supporters of the measure included members of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, who argued that staff were being overworked trying to monitor self-checkout lanes in addition to their other responsibilities. Opponents, including some council members, criticized the new rules as a "solution in search of a problem" and said they could push stores to keep fewer traditional checkout lanes open.

  • The new rules go into effect 60 days after Tuesday's meeting, on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Businesses will be given 15 days to remedy any violations before incurring fines.

The players

United Food & Commercial Workers International Union

The labor union representing grocery store workers who supported the new self-checkout regulations.

Maria

An associate at the Vons store on Harbor Boulevard who spoke at a council meeting in January about the challenges of monitoring multiple self-checkout stations.

Mike Buley

A Costa Mesa City Councilman who opposed the new self-checkout rules, calling them "a solution in search of a problem."

Jeff Pettis

A Costa Mesa City Councilman who works in Long Beach and said he conducted "guerilla research" there, finding that 90% of shoppers and grocers "hate" the similar self-checkout regulations passed in that city.

Loren Gameros

A Costa Mesa City Councilman who emphasized the need to prevent businesses from overworking their staff and voted in favor of the new self-checkout ordinance.

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What they’re saying

“That's 13 things I have to do at one time by myself, and if a customer needs something I have to stop and help them.”

— Maria, Vons store associate (Costa Mesa City Council meeting)

“I hope you consider what we're asking for. It would make for a more pleasurable experience for everyone.”

— Maria, Vons store associate (Costa Mesa City Council meeting)

“If the issue happens and people hate this in Costa Mesa, we have two failsafes. We will look at it in one year. And also, anybody who votes for this tonight, and I will be voting for it, can bring it back for reconsideration.”

— John Stephens, Costa Mesa Mayor (Costa Mesa City Council meeting)

What’s next

The new self-checkout regulations in Costa Mesa will go into effect on April 18, 2026. The city council has said they will review the impact of the new rules after one year and consider making changes if needed.

The takeaway

The new self-checkout ordinance in Costa Mesa highlights the ongoing tensions between retailers' use of automation and the need to ensure adequate staffing and working conditions for grocery store employees. The regulations aim to strike a balance, but their long-term impact on businesses and shoppers remains to be seen.