Santa Monica · new construction permits
Santa Monica new construction permits.
What it actually takes to permit a ground-up build in Santa Monica: jurisdiction, plan check, inspections, and the local overlays that change the path. Every link below points at an official City of Santa Monica Building & Safety resource.
Quick answer
Santa Monica issues new home permits through its Building & Safety division; parcels west of Lincoln Blvd are within the Coastal Zone and may require a Coastal Development Permit.
Homeowner & investor takeaway
Confirm Coastal Zone status before scoping. If your parcel is in the appealable area, plan for both city CDP review and possible Coastal Commission appeal.
Local jurisdiction.
Permits are issued by City of Santa Monica Building & Safety (Los Angeles County). Use the official portals below — do not rely on third-party permit aggregators.
- Building department: City of Santa Monica Building & Safety
- Permit portal: City of Santa Monica Building & Safety
- Planning: City of Santa Monica Building & Safety
- Zoning lookup: City of Santa Monica Building & Safety
- Municipal code: City of Santa Monica Building & Safety
Permit types typically involved.
Building permit
Required for a new dwelling unit, including structural, MEP, and envelope review.
Grading / drainage
Stormwater LID requirements apply; minimal grading typical except for new basements.
Sewer / utility
City sewer throughout. Southern California Edison and SoCalGas service the city. Sewer capacity charges apply to new SFRs.
Electrical / mechanical / plumbing
Often pulled with the building permit; some jurisdictions require separate sub-permits per trade.
Title 24 compliance
Climate Zone 6 (coastal). Title 24 Part 6 with PV and battery readiness; envelope can be lighter than inland zones but glazing area matters.
CALGreen
Santa Monica historically goes beyond CALGreen baseline — verify current reach code (electrification, EV charging) at intake.
Plan check process.
City plan check is rigorous on Title 24 and structural; permit center supports online intake.
Entitlement & planning review.
Coastal Zone parcels (generally west of Lincoln Blvd) require CDP review (in-city for appealable areas, Coastal Commission for others). Architectural Review Board reviews multifamily and some commercial.
Inspections.
City inspectors; coordinate Coastal Commission inspections separately if a CDP applies.
Local overlays & constraints.
Santa Monica has its own zoning ordinance and density bonus program; R1 has detailed FAR, lot-coverage, and second-story stepback rules.
Coastal. Coastal Zone west of Lincoln Blvd; CDP required for new construction and certain remodels. Sea-level-rise considerations on near-bluff lots.
Flood. Minimal SFHA exposure; some tsunami inundation mapping along the beach corridor.
Seismic. Santa Monica Fault crosses the city; CGS EQ Zone App lists Alquist-Priolo and liquefaction zones in portions of the flats.
Common delay drivers.
Risk 1
Coastal Commission appeal extending entitlement
Risk 2
Reach code adding cost late in design
Risk 3
Envelope rule violations triggering redesign
Prepare before submittal.
- Confirm zoning, setbacks, height, and FAR for the parcel.
- Order soils / geotech early — many overlays require it before plan check.
- Complete Title 24 energy modeling and confirm CALGreen targets.
- Have a clear utility upgrade plan (sewer lateral, panel, gas) documented.
- Pre-assemble any overlay-specific studies (hillside, coastal, fire, flood).
This page is general information, not legal advice. Permit requirements change. Confirm the current process directly with City of Santa Monica Building & Safety.
Questions.
- Is my Santa Monica lot in the Coastal Zone?
- Generally any parcel west of Lincoln Blvd is in the Coastal Zone; confirm exact status with the Planning Division before scoping.
- Who issues a Coastal Development Permit?
- The City handles CDPs in non-appealable areas; the California Coastal Commission has appellate jurisdiction in appealable areas and original jurisdiction on tidelands.
- Does Santa Monica have its own energy reach code?
- Santa Monica has historically adopted reach codes beyond state baseline (e.g., all-electric, EV-ready). Verify current adoption at intake.
- What zoning rules drive R1 envelope here?
- Stepbacks, daylight planes, lot-coverage, and a second-story limit define the envelope alongside FAR.
- Does Title 24 apply?
- Yes — California Title 24 Part 6 applies statewide; Santa Monica's reach code may add stricter electrification or EV requirements.
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