Santa Monica's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Santa Monica, California, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

ADU Rental Restrictions

ADUs and JADUs in Santa Monica may not be rented for terms of 30 days or less unless specifically authorized under the City's Home-Sharing and Vacation Rentals ordinance (SMMC Chapter 6.20).

Key details: Minimum rental term: More than 30 days. Short-term rental exception: Only if permitted under SMMC Ch. 6.20. Applies to ADUs?: Yes. Applies to JADUs?: Yes.

Renting an ADU for 30 days or less without authorization under Chapter 6.20 violates this provision and is subject to enforcement and abatement under SMMC Chapter 9.48.

Santa Monica is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu rental restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Santa Monica does not require owner-occupancy for standard ADUs, but owner-occupancy is required for Junior ADUs (JADUs): the owner must reside in either the primary dwelling or the JADU, unless the owner is a government agency, land trust, or housing organization.

Key details: Owner-occupancy required for ADU?: No. Owner-occupancy required for JADU?: Yes: owner or primary unit. Exception: Government agency, land trust, or housing organization. Deed restriction required for JADU?: Yes, must be recorded.

Violation of the deed restriction or owner-occupancy requirement is enforceable against future purchasers. General zoning enforcement under SMMC Chapter 9.48 applies to non-compliance.

The rules around adu owner occupancy in Santa Monica lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Impact Fees

ADUs and JADUs in Santa Monica are fully exempt from development impact fees, including affordable housing, child care linkage, transportation, and parks and recreation fees.

Key details: Affordable housing fee (Ch. 9.64): Exempt. Child care linkage fee (Ch. 9.65): Exempt. Transportation impact fee (Ch. 9.66): Exempt. Parks & recreation fee (Ch. 9.67): Exempt.

If an ADU does not qualify under Section 9.31.025 standards, the exemption would not apply and normal impact fees would be assessed prior to permit issuance.

Santa Monica is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu impact fees. That said, there are still limits.

Shed & Carport Rules

Storage sheds and other detached accessory buildings must be placed on the rear half of the lot, set back at least 5 feet from the rear property line, and are limited to 14 feet or one story unless the stricter two-story standards are met.

Key details: Maximum height (1-story shed): 14 feet. Location requirement: Rear half of parcel only. Rear setback minimum: 5 feet from rear property line. Alley setback: 15 feet from centerline of rear alley. Max height (2-story accessory building): 24 feet / 2 stories.

Unpermitted or noncompliant accessory structures are subject to stop-work orders, required removal or alteration to comply, and general Zoning Ordinance enforcement.

ADU Rules

Santa Monica allows ADUs and JADUs by-right on residential parcels, approved ministerially within 60 days, with detached ADUs limited to 850 sq ft (studio/1BR) or 1,200 sq ft (2+ BR), 4-foot side/rear setbacks, and a maximum height of 2 stories or 24 feet.

Key details: Max size (studio/1BR ADU): 850 sq ft. Max size (2+ BR ADU): 1,200 sq ft. Max size JADU: 500 sq ft. Side/rear setback (detached ADU): 4 feet. Max height (detached ADU): 2 stories or 24 feet.

Violations of zoning or building standards are subject to enforcement and abatement under SMMC Chapter 9.48. The City may not deny an application based on correction of nonconforming zoning conditions that do not affect construction of the ADU.

Garage Conversions

Garages may be converted to ADUs by-right in Santa Monica, and no replacement parking is required when a garage or carport is demolished or converted to create an ADU or JADU.

Key details: Replacement parking required?: No. Setback for converted existing garage: None required for existing footprint. Max footprint expansion (front setback): 150 sq ft for ingress/egress only. Multi-unit conversion limit: 25% of unit count or 1 ADU, whichever is greater. Approval process: Ministerial, no discretionary review.

If the conversion does not meet ADU building standards (habitability, size, etc.), the City may deny the permit or require corrections within the 60-day review period.

Santa Monica is more permissive than most cities when it comes to garage conversions. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Santa Monica gives residents more room on accessory structures. 4 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Santa Monica's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.