Santa Monica, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division administers building permits for work within incorporated Santa Monica. Los Angeles County permit authority generally applies outside city limits in unincorporated county areas.

Department

City of Santa Monica Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division

Address

1685 Main Street, Mail Stop 3, Santa Monica, CA 90401; Permit Services Center south entrance access from Olympic Dr.

Phone

(310) 458-8355

Email

311@santamonica.gov , buildingandsafety@smgov.net

Website

https://www.santamonica.gov/plan-review

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Use the City's Permit Process Guide / Building Permits and Plan Review page to determine whether the project qualifies for Same-Day Review or requires full Plan Review, and identify the required forms, supporting documents, and review path.
2. Create or log into the City's Citizen Access account, then submit the application and upload plans and documents through the City's paperless electronic plan review process; projects subject to e-plan review use ProjectDox.
3. Pay applicable plan review or permit fees. For ProjectDox-reviewed jobs, after payment the applicant must complete the ProjectDox "Fees Due" task so the project routes to reviewers.
4. Respond to City review comments and secure all required approvals, including building, zoning, fire, and any other applicable division approvals.
5. Once the record is in "Ready to Issue" status, a licensed contractor, authorized agent, or eligible residential owner-builder may pull the permit either in person at the Permit Services Center or online through the City's Virtual Permit Issuance process by providing identification, licensing, insurance, ownership/authorization documents, and payment of remaining fees.
6. After permit issuance, schedule required inspections and obtain final approval before project completion.

Typical processing time: The City states plan review timelines vary by project type and scope and that review timelines are currently delayed beyond estimated timeframes; applicants are directed to the Plan Review Timeline Overview and project-type threshold pages for current estimates.

Source: City of Santa Monica Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division

General Requirements

Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 8.08.050 generally requires a permit before any person erects, constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves, improves, removes, converts, maintains, or demolishes a building, structure, or regulated building service equipment, and before excavation, grading, or temporary structures except where specifically exempt.

Required Documents

• Depending on scope, the City may require plans, specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams, soil investigation reports, sound tests, material tests, construction management plans, special inspection and structural observation programs, and other supporting data. The Building Permits and Plan Review page specifically lists common supporting documents such as structural calculations, soils reports for certain projects, Title 24 documentation, sound attenuation reports for certain multifamily projects, C&D waste management plans, tree protection materials, and green building forms. Permit issuance also requires ID, proof of ownership or authorization, contractor license and classification, workers' compensation proof, and owner-builder forms where applicable.

Permit validity

Permit applications generally expire if no permit is issued within 18 months after filing, subject to specified exceptions and possible extensions. Issued permits expire if work does not start within 1 year from issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days or more. The Building Official may grant written extensions under stated criteria.

Building code

The City's Building Permits and Plan Review page states the 2025 California Building Standards Code is in effect as of January 1, 2026. The City enforces Chapter 8.08 and the California Building Standards Code, with local amendments in the Santa Monica Municipal Code.

Owner-builder

A building permit may be issued to a residential property owner under limited circumstances. The City requires a completed and signed Owner-Builder Acknowledgment and Verification Form, proof of ownership and ID, and directs owner-builders to review CSLB owner-builder risk information. A residential tenant cannot pull a permit unless properly authorized as an agent for the owner or contractor.

Contractor requirements

Permit issuance requires proof of current California contractor license and classification, valid workers' compensation insurance, and evidence of a valid City of Santa Monica business license for the contractor.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$121.00 for project valuation from $1 to $2,000 under the posted Building Division permit fee schedule

Plan check fee

Building plan review fee is 65% of the permit fee; engineering plan review is 35% of the permit fee for commercial and 20% for residential, where applicable

Permit fee formula

Primarily valuation-based for building permits, with tiered fees by project valuation plus technology fees and other applicable surcharges; some other charges are hourly or flat-fee based

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is the standard hourly rate with a 1-hour minimum; work performed without a required permit is subject to a penalty fee of 200% of the permit fee

Penalty (no permit)

Reinspection fee is the standard hourly rate with a 1-hour minimum; work performed without a required permit is subject to a penalty fee of 200% of the permit fee

Payment note

Many Building and Safety fees can be paid online through Citizen Access or in person at the Permit Services Center. For ProjectDox jobs, after paying online the applicant must also complete the ProjectDox "Fees Due" task or routing will be delayed.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory buildings up to 120 square feet, not over 14 feet high, with no electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work, on qualifying slopes, and compliant with zoning
• Exterior freestanding masonry or concrete walls not over 4 feet high, and other fences not over 7 feet high
• Oil derricks
• Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
• Water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying height-to-width ratio
• Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over or surcharging a basement or story below
• Painting, papering, and similar finish work, including color or texture coating of exterior plaster
• Flooring installed on a concrete slab, or flooring not more than 4 pounds per square foot or replacement of the same weight
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Certain prefabricated swimming pools accessory to one- and two-family dwellings, fully above grade, up to 5,000 gallons, with no associated electrical, gas, or plumbing equipment

Important: Santa Monica states that exemption from permit requirements does not authorize work that violates applicable codes, standards, zoning, or other laws. Separate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, grading, coastal, planning, or other approvals may still be required depending on scope.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online at (online)
• applicants can also view same-day inspection windows at (online)
• (310) 458-2202 (phone)

Inspection hours

Jobsites must be available for Inspection Services from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The scheduled inspection lookup provides a four-hour inspection window on the morning of the inspection date. Inspector office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at 1730 4th Street, and public counter inspection hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Time windows

Jobsites must be available for Inspection Services from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The scheduled inspection lookup provides a four-hour inspection window on the morning of the inspection date. Inspector office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at 1730 4th Street, and public counter inspection hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Schedule the required rough and final inspections using the original permit number, keep the site ready and accessible, obtain any prerequisite clearances that apply before final inspection, and receive final inspection approval before project closeout. The City notes that all construction activity authorized by permit requires inspection clearances at various stages before completion.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The City's Building Permits and Plan Review page states the 2025 California Building Standards Code is in effect as of January 1, 2026. The City enforces Chapter 8.08 and the California Building Standards Code, with local amendments in the Santa Monica Municipal Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• https://www.santamonica.gov/places/city-facilities/permit-services-center
• https://www.santamonica.gov/process-explainers/how-to-get-a-building-permit
• https://www.santamonica.gov/process-explainers/how-to-schedule-a-building-permit-inspection
• https://www.santamonica.gov/process-explainers/how-to-pay-building-permit-fees
• https://www.santamonica.gov/process-explainers/how-to-view-today-s-scheduled-inspections
• https://ecode360.com/SM3840
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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