A Resident's Guide to Santa Monica's Local Ordinances

Santa Monica, California may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 115 tracked ordinances across 36 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Trailers of any size and vehicles exceeding 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall, or 20 feet long are banned from all Santa Monica public streets and alleys between 9 PM and 6 AM unless the owner holds a City permit. This effectively prohibits overnight RV and boat-trailer street parking without authorization..

Also covered: EV Charging (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Santa Monica for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Dumping solid or liquid waste in storm drains, streets, sidewalks, public parks, or the beach is unlawful in Santa Monica, with fines starting at $250 and escalating to $1,000 for repeat offenses, plus possible jail time..

Also covered: Mandatory Organics Recycling (restrictive), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Yard Waste Collection (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Santa Monica for details.

Water Use Rules

Recycled Water Rules: New developments in Santa Monica's recycled water service area with at least 7,500 sq ft of floor area must use 100% recycled water for surface irrigation and eligible dual-plumbing applications, effective January 1, 2023..

Tree Protection

Parkway Planting: Planting, trimming, or altering any tree or plant in the parkway strip (the area between curb and sidewalk) requires a City permit, and the Director of Community and Cultural Services has exclusive authority to supervise all work on public trees..

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Stationary sidewalk vendors are banned from the beach, the Transit Mall, residential zones, within 25 feet of the Third Street Promenade, and within 500 feet of the Pier bridge entrance in Palisades Park. Roaming vendors cannot operate in or adjacent to residential zones between 9 p.m.

Also covered: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (moderate), Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Santa Monica for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Santa Monica bans spray irrigation of lawns and landscapes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Also covered: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (restrictive), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Santa Monica for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Home occupations in Santa Monica may display only the occupant's address and name: no business signs, logos, or outdoor advertising of any kind are permitted..

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (limited), Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (limited), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Santa Monica for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Any development or construction within Santa Monica's designated special flood hazard areas requires a floodplain development permit before work begins. Violations constitute a misdemeanor..

Also covered: Erosion Control (moderate), Stormwater Management (restrictive). See the full environmental rules guide for Santa Monica for details.

Noise Ordinances

Leaf Blower Rules: Gas-powered leaf blowers have been banned in Santa Monica since 1991. Only electric blowers with manufacturer sound rating of 70 dB or less are allowed (July 2023 update).

Also covered: Decibel Limits (restrictive), Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (restrictive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Santa Monica for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: Santa Monica enforces strict just-cause eviction protections. Tenants may only be evicted for enumerated at-fault or no-fault reasons.

Also covered: Rental Registration (moderate), Rent Control (restrictive), Relocation Assistance (restrictive). See the full rental property rules guide for Santa Monica for details.

Data Centers & Crypto Mining

Data Center Zoning & Siting: Santa Monica classifies a data center as a Communication Facility, Equipment within Buildings - indoor space holding computer servers. The use needs a Conditional Use Permit in the IC Industrial Conservation district, is permitted by right in the OC Office Campus district, and is barred from residential zones..

Also covered: Data Center Noise Limits (moderate). See the full data centers & crypto mining guide for Santa Monica for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Night Caps: Santa Monica prohibits all unhosted vacation rentals entirely: the host must live in the dwelling and be physically present throughout every guest's stay. There is no annual night limit, but each host may only operate one home-share and must be present on-site every single night guests are there..

Also covered: Insurance Requirements (moderate), Occupancy Limits (moderate), Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Santa Monica for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass & Shielding: Exterior lighting may not spill onto neighboring properties at more than 0.5 foot-candles, and all fixtures must use IESNA 'Cut Off' or 'Full Cut Off' optics to prevent glare onto streets and adjacent land..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Santa Monica for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Santa Monica requires owners of vacant or substantially vacant properties to register them with the city, maintain them in a safe and non-blighted condition, and pay ongoing monitoring fees: with tiered inspection and security standards..

Also covered: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate), Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Santa Monica for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: In the Bergamot Districts, buildings must be set back from the street curb face by 10 to 20 feet depending on the specific street, and in Mixed-Use/Commercial Districts, buildings adjacent to residential zones must respect a daylight plane starting at 30 feet above the shared property line..

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Structure Height Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Santa Monica for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Political and noncommercial signs are protected expression in Santa Monica. The sign code permits noncommercial signs provided they are not of prohibited types.

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (limited). See the full sign regulations guide for Santa Monica for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Tobacco Retail License: All tobacco retailers in Santa Monica must hold a valid city tobacco retailer's license, renewed annually by June 30. Retailers must check ID for anyone appearing under 27, cannot display products within reach of customers, and may not sell from mobile locations..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (restrictive), Adult Entertainment (restrictive). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Santa Monica for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Obstruction Rules: Santa Monica sidewalks must maintain a continuous 4-foot clear path for pedestrians at all times. Unattended property on any public sidewalk, street, or right-of-way is prohibited after 10 minutes, and portable display tables or carts face strict size and location rules..

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Santa Monica requires a cannabis retailer permit and City business license before operating any retail cannabis dispensary, with location standards set by Chapter 9.31 and operating hours capped at 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Also covered: Buffer Zones (moderate), Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Santa Monica for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04.162 prohibits wild animals, venomous reptiles, and monkeys without a permit from the Animal Control Officer. All snakes, reptiles, non-human primates, arachnids, and birds are banned from City parks, beaches, the Pier, and the Third Street Promenade..

Also covered: Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Pet Limits (limited), Beekeeping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Santa Monica for details.

Special Events & Permits

Sidewalk Dining & Cafés: Restaurants in Santa Monica may set up outdoor dining on public sidewalks only as an accessory use to a legally established eating or drinking establishment, after obtaining Zoning Conformance Review, a Sidewalk Dining Permit, and a City license agreement..

Also covered: Park Event Permits (moderate), Parade Permits (moderate), Block Party Permits (limited). See the full special events & permits guide for Santa Monica for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: Santa Monica bans single-use plastic carry out bags at all retail establishments. Grocery stores and pharmacies may only provide reusable bags or recycled paper bags (for at least 10 cents per bag).

Also covered: Plastic Straw Rules (moderate), Polystyrene Foam Rules (restrictive). See the full single-use items guide for Santa Monica for details.

Public Conduct

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: Santa Monica bans smoking in an extensive list of public outdoor and indoor locations, including all parks, beaches, the Pier, outdoor dining areas, farmers markets, and within 20 feet of building entrances. The ban also extends to common areas and outdoor right-of-way near multi-unit residential buildings..

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Solar panel installations on existing buildings follow a ministerial (by-right) standard and are exempt from Architectural Review Board approval as long as they meet the code's visibility, height, and setback requirements..

Also covered: Expedited Solar Permitting (permissive), HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Santa Monica for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

Bar & Nightclub Noise: Nightclubs, bars, and establishments with amplified music must locate all customer entrances and exits on commercial streets only, and must use two-door vestibules with solid-core doors to contain sound..

Also covered: Car Alarm Limits (moderate). See the full noise from specific sources guide for Santa Monica for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Hotel Worker Retention: When a Santa Monica hotel changes ownership or control, the incoming employer must retain all eligible hotel workers for a 90-day retention period and may only discharge them during that period for documented individual cause..

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: In Santa Monica's Downtown, Main Street corridor, and portions of Montana Avenue, sitting or lying on public sidewalks in a way that blocks pedestrian access is prohibited between 6 AM and 1 AM. The rule is geographically limited and not a city-wide prohibition..

Building Safety

Fire Sprinkler Requirements: Santa Monica requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in all newly constructed buildings, with one limited exception for small detached residential garages. Existing buildings must also be retrofitted with sprinklers when undergoing significant additions, renovations, occupancy changes, or when a story is added..

Accessory Structures

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..

Also covered: ADU Rental Restrictions (limited), ADU Owner Occupancy (limited), ADU Impact Fees (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Santa Monica for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: All fireworks are illegal in Santa Monica, including California State Fire Marshal-approved Safe and Sane fireworks. The only exceptions are City Council-approved aerial public displays, pyrotechnic effects for film and theatrical productions, and use by state or federal authorities..

Also covered: Wildfire Zones (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate), Brush Clearance (restrictive). See the full fire regulations guide for Santa Monica for details.

Historic Preservation

Historic-Cultural Monuments: Santa Monica designates Landmarks through the Landmarks Commission when a structure meets at least one of six criteria related to historical, architectural, cultural, or aesthetic significance. Once an application is filed, all demolition and alteration of the structure is immediately prohibited..

Also covered: HPOZ Rules (moderate), Mills Act Contracts (limited). See the full historic preservation guide for Santa Monica for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: In residential zones, barbed wire (especially concertina wire), electrically energized fences, and fences with jagged edges such as glass or nails are prohibited; wooden, picket, and decorative metal fences are permitted..

Also covered: Fence Permit Requirements (limited), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive), Height Limits (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Santa Monica for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing & Safety Requirements: Pool fencing in Santa Monica must be at least 5 ft with no opening over 4 inches per SMMC §8.12.150. When replacing 50%+ of an existing enclosure, full current code compliance is required.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Santa Monica for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Solicitors and peddlers in Santa Monica must pay a license fee under SMMC Ch. 6.32.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Santa Monica for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency, Duration & Permits: Residential yard sales in Santa Monica do not require a Temporary Use Permit if held no more than twice per year per dwelling unit and lasting no more than two days each..

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Most Santa Monica parks close at 11 p.m. and reopen at 6 a.m.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Santa Monica, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Santa Monica's city hall or code enforcement office.