Tile Roofs in Costa Mesa

In Costa Mesa, most homes are rented. For a tile roof owner, that shapes who decides on the roof. Prices and sources are in the tile roof cost guide.

The housing here

The Census counts 44,427 housing units in Costa Mesa. The median year built is 1972. About 20.4 percent were built before 1960, and about 68.3 percent before 1980. That makes it one of the older cities in this group.

A house from the early 1970s may be on its second or third roof. Tile is common in Southern California, and some roofs here may be clay or concrete. Where a roof is original, its framing is about fifty years old, which is worth a look before any heavier material goes on.

Owners occupy about 39.6 percent of the homes. The median home value is about $1.12 million. Many roofs here may belong to landlords or small associations, and the people living under them may not choose the material. If you own, ask the same questions an owner of a single house would.

Fire hazard share

CAL FIRE's current map shows 0.0 percent of the city in the Very High zone, or 0 acres, and about 4.2 percent in any mapped zone. Look up your own address. Look up your own address to be sure.

Climate zone and rain

Costa Mesa is in climate zone 6. The nearest station in the data, Santa Ana John Wayne AP, recorded 11.18 inches of rain a year for 1991 to 2020. The California Energy Commission's 2022 cool roof sheet says requirements for alterations, which include re-roofs, apply in additional climate zones beyond those listed for new homes. Ask the building department which cool roof values apply to your re-roof.

Who to ask about a permit

The city's Building Division is the office to ask about permit rules. The city's Building Division is the office to ask. Many cities require a permit for a re-roof, and the rules for materials, weight and inspection can differ from one city to the next. Ask the division what a re-roof needs, what it costs and who files.

Weight and framing

Thinking of tile over a lighter roof? Count the load first. RoofingCalc lists clay tile at 600 to 650 pounds per square and concrete tile at 820 to 1,100. A square is 100 square feet of roof. A framing system from the early 1970s may have been designed for lighter loads. Get an engineer's view on paper before the tile is ordered.

Cost context

For a 2,000 square foot clay tile roof, Fixr's published estimate is $14,000 to $28,000 from Fixr (updated February 4, 2026). RoofingCalc lists $29,000 to $51,000 (October 2024). Both are national figures, not local bids. Roof area may run above or below 2,000 square feet, and a measured quote is the only real answer.

Reading an older roof

With a median year built of 1972, a re-roof is a fair time to look at more than the tile. Check the eave edge, where old boards may have softened. Look at the flashing at chimneys and vents. Look at the underlayment at a loose tile and not only the field on top. A written bid that names each of these tells you the roofer looked.

Making a bid easy to follow

On a rented property or a shared building, the bid may go to more than one reader. Make it plain enough that anyone can follow it. It should name the underlayment, the flashing, the tile that will be reused and the tile that will be new, and who will pull the permit.

Before you sign

• Is the roof original, and what is under the tile?
• Is my framing sound for a heavier tile?
• Which permit does the city require, and who pulls it?
• What is the breakage allowance for tile that is reused?

Check any roofer's license at cslb.ca.gov.

Barrel & Pan Roofing is an information site. It does not do roof work or hold a contractor license.