Costa Mesa Ordinance Requires One Employee per Three Self-Checkout Machines, Affecting Walmart

Costa Mesa’s City Council adopted the “Safe Stores Are Staffed Stores” ordinance that requires one dedicated employee to oversee no more than three self‑checkout machines and mandates a manned checkout lane be open before any self‑checkout kiosks can be used. The council action, reported as final passage on February 17, 2026, targets retail drug establishments with self‑checkout and grocery stores larger than 15,000 square feet.

Sources reporting on the ordinance say the rules could touch nearly two dozen businesses in Costa Mesa. Wheb Iheart described the scope as “nearly two dozen businesses,” while The Brief/LAist estimated “some 22 drug and food retail stores,” noting not all currently have self‑checkout stations. Outlets differ on timing: UFCW Local 324 and ProgressiveGrocer cited an April 20, 2026 effective date, while Wheb Iheart reported the ordinance takes effect on April 18, 2026.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324 led public support. Jose Perez, president of UFCW Local 324, said, “The ‘Safe Stores are Staffed Stores’ ordinance will have a real positive change for customers and workers in Costa Mesa.” The union’s press release added the measure “will provide thousands of workers – union and non‑union – with extra support and better service for customers” and called the ordinance a “new benchmark for worker protection.” Derek Smith, political director for UFCW 324, told LAist that “Putting more people in there is going to make our members’ lives much easier, and I think the customers’ lives as well,” and said some workers are asked to supervise six self‑checkout machines: “It’s just too many for anybody to properly supervise.”

Council debate and industry pushback were sharp. Wheb Iheart reported the council approved the ordinance 5-2 in its coverage, and LAMag also cited a 5-2 majority; LAist/The Brief recorded an earlier procedural 3-2 vote to move the measure forward. Councilmember Jeff Pettis, who voted no, said he “spoke informally with Long Beach grocery store owners and shoppers, and found that 90% of them disliked that city's similar law,” and noted “some Long Beach stores had already closed self-checkout kiosks rather than hire additional staff.” Mike Buley, another no vote, called the ordinance “a solution in search of a problem.” Councilmember Loren Gameros, a yes vote, said, “My concern here is not that we're trying to ruin business. It's that we're not thinking of those who actually are working families that work for a living that are being held responsible for the safety and theft at a grocery store.”

Industry groups warned of convenience and cost impacts. Nate Rose, spokesperson for the California Grocers’ Association, said, “Costa Mesa residents want groceries to be affordable and convenient, yet three Costa Mesa city councilmembers made a decision that will make life harder for thousands of grocery shoppers who rely on its convenience.” LAMag additionally reported a line tying theft to fines, stating “theft could result in up to a $1,000 fine per day; ‘Safe Stores are Staffed Stores,’” language that appears in coverage but whose application to specific violations is ambiguous in the excerpts cited.

The ordinance mirrors Long Beach’s earlier move on self‑checkout but sets a less stringent staffing ratio - Long Beach requires one employee per two kiosks while Costa Mesa requires one per three - and includes operational limits reported by Wheb Iheart such as a 15‑item cap at self‑checkout and a ban on purchasing items kept in locked cases through kiosks. Because the rule applies to grocery stores over 15,000 square feet and to retail drug establishments with self‑checkout, any Costa Mesa Walmart location that meets those criteria would fall within the ordinance’s scope and need to adjust staffing and lane operations ahead of the reported April 18 or April 20, 2026 effective date. Remaining questions for retailers include exact enforcement language, which city department will oversee compliance, and whether fines cited in some coverage apply to violations or to theft; those details are not included in the excerpts reporting the vote.