Costa Mesa, CA · West · Allowed
Payday loans in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is governed by California's statewide lending law — cities don't set their own loan rules. Storefront payday lending is permitted in California. State law caps what lenders can charge — the limits below are the legal ceiling, and honest lenders stay under it.
The limits below are the legal ceiling — any offer above them is being made outside the law.
Lending storefronts in Costa Mesa
112,822 residents · Orange County Median household income is $66,459 — below the California median of $68,111.
5 storefront locations of 5 companies listed in the public directory snapshot below. Categories are the directory's own — verify a store's license with the state regulator before borrowing.
| Lender | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACE Cash Express Check Cashing/Pay-day Loans, Title Loans, Installment Loans | 560 W 19th St, 92627 | (949) 574-7970 | Mon 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM · hours vary |
| Ardent Finance Group Debt Relief Services, Installment Loans | 1901 Newport Blvd Ste 350, 92627 | (714) 729-5233 | Mon 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · hours vary |
| Beachfront Credit Services Financial Advising, Installment Loans, Debt Relief Services | 555 Anton Blvd, 92626 | (949) 200-7457 | Open 24 hours daily |
| PrestaQuickly Title Loans, Installment Loans | 244 Hill Pl, 92627 | (888) 448-9832 | Mon–Fri 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM · Sat–Sun Closed |
| The Payoff Loan Installment Loans | 3200 Park Center Dr Ste 800, 92626 | (800) 878-0901 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Sat–Sun Closed |
Listing data: public business directory, collected 2022-02-20. Stores close and relocate — confirm with the regulator's license lookup on the California page before visiting. Spot an error? Report it.
The online route in Costa Mesa
A parallel market lends entirely online — application, decision and funding on a website, no storefront. Lenders licensed in California follow the state schedule anywhere in the state, but bank-partner and tribal loans are structured outside state rate limits, and regulators dispute that model.
From the online lenders directory — terms each lender publishes about itself, checked September 2026. Directory only: we are not affiliated and make no availability promises — verify with the lender and the California regulator.
The rules behind the numbers
A payday loan is not intended for long-term financial needs. You cannot be prosecuted or threatened with prosecution in a criminal proceeding for a returned check.
In practice: borrow $300 for a standard term and the finance charge is $45 — $345 repaid at the end, about 460% APR. Every compliant lender in Costa Mesa has to fit inside that schedule.
Statute: Cal. Fin. Code § 23000 et seq.
Regulator: California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation · dfpi.ca.gov
Questions people ask in Costa Mesa
Are payday loans legal in Costa Mesa, CA?
Yes. Storefront payday lending is permitted across California, and Costa Mesa runs under the same state rules: maximum loan $300, fees capped at 15% of face value ($17.65 per $100 advanced). A store charging above the cap is operating illegally.
How much would a $300 loan cost me in Costa Mesa?
The same as anywhere in California: state law sets the schedule. On a typical $300 loan the finance charge is about $45 — $345 repaid at the end of the standard term.
Which lenders have stores in Costa Mesa?
5 storefronts are listed in Costa Mesa in our 2022-02-20 directory snapshot (5 different companies). The full list with addresses, phones and hours is in the table above.
Who regulates lenders in Costa Mesa?
Complaints about a lender go to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (dfpi.ca.gov) — keep the loan agreement and every fee disclosure you were given.