Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a building or structure in Santa Monica city

  • Construction may proceed only after the building official issues the permit.
  • The section provides exceptions 'except as specified in this section'; the exempt-work list in § 8.08.050 was not opened in this run, so specific exemptions are unverified.
  • Excavation, grading and temporary structures also require a permit under the same section.

  “no person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, maintain or demolish any building, structure or building service equipment regulated by this chapter, the california building standards code and related codes and standards without first obtaining an appropriate permit for each building, structure or building service equipment from the building official except as specified in this section.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction inside Santa Monica city limits

  • The city adopts the California Building Standards Code as amended locally, and Chapter 8.08 administers it.
  • Chapter 8.08 history lists its latest amendment as ord. no. 2831ccs, 10/14/2025.
  • The city's notice says permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code, as amended by the City. That notice was seen in search results only and was not opened.

  “the purpose of this chapter is to establish the minimum requirements necessary to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through the administration and enforcement of the california building standards code as adopted by this jurisdiction and codified in article 8 of the municipal code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Buildings and structures inside Santa Monica city limits

  • The building official supervises and inspects all buildings within the city.
  • Chapter 8.08 also lists a standard-inspections section, § 8.08.090, which was not opened, so its inspection schedule is unverified.

  “the building official shall have charge of the supervision and inspection of all buildings within the city and shall have power and be required to:”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Use or occupancy of a building or structure in Santa Monica city, and any change in occupancy classification

  • Issued by the building official after inspection finds no violations, per § 8.08.130(b).
  • A temporary certificate of occupancy is referenced in § 8.08.160 but its terms were not opened.

  “buildings or structures shall not be used or occupied, nor shall a change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof be made until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided herein.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Santa Monica city limits. The city's own zoning ordinance is Article 9, Planning and Zoning, of the Santa Monica Municipal Code.

  • Article 9 sections 9.01.010 through 9.68.110 are listed in the adopted code table of contents.
  • The chapter list confirms regulated land-use topics (accessory dwelling units under § 9.31.025, general site regulations under chapter 9.21), but the dimensional and use tables were not opened in this run.

  “article 9 planning and zoning (§ 9.01.010 – § 9.68.110)”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Sewer service for property inside Santa Monica city limits, where the city sewer main is available in the street or alley

  • The page confirms owner responsibility for a lateral from the property to the city main, and a city permit for house connection sewers.
  • It does not state a mandatory-connection rule for new homes or a distance threshold; those were not found.
  • Water connection is not verified and is not claimed here.

  “a permit is required to construct, alter, or repair any house connection sewer, bonded house connection sewer, special house connection sewer, industrial waste sewer connection, or industrial waste storm drain connection.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Sewer permit fees only (house connection sewer and saddle connection). General building permit fees were not researched.

  • The fee table on the page is labeled effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
  • Current sewer fees were not verified; a later schedule may apply.
  • Building permit fees under Chapter 8.08 § 8.08.080 were not opened.

  sewer saddle connection fee (new sewer laterals): 1138.62 USD (FY 2022-23 schedule only, per the page) · sewer cap fee after saddle installation: 730.69 USD (FY 2022-23 schedule only, per the page)

  “sewer permit fees - the fees below are effective for the fiscal year beginning july 1, 2022 through june 30, 2023.”

• Permit processPartial

  Sewer (house connection) permit process only. The general building permit process is not verified.

  • Applications are accepted by email at pw.permits@santamonica.gov and at the Public Works counter.
  • Work must start within 60 days of issuance or the permit expires, per the page's FAQ.
  • Contractors must hold a valid CSLB license; a city business license and proof of insurance are required at application.

  “sewer permit applications are accepted via email at pw.permits@santamonica.gov.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Santa Monica or Los Angeles County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permitting in Santa Monica city
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and list for Santa Monica city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the single-unit residential district (Chapter 9.07, R1) in Santa Monica city
• Minimum lot size — Minimum parcel area and width in the single-unit residential district (Chapter 9.07, R1) in Santa Monica city, from Table 9.07.030
• Setbacks — Yard setbacks in the single-unit residential district (Chapter 9.07, R1) in Santa Monica city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Santa Monica means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.