Santa Monica, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Tier 1 Base Height (most zones)
- 2 stories / 32 ft
- Tier 1 Base Height (NC Ocean Park Blvd & Montana Ave)
- 2 stories / 27 ft
- Tier 1 with On-Site Affordable Housing (MUBL, GC)
- 3 stories / 36 ft
- Tier 2 with Community Benefits (MUB)
- 3 stories / 45 ft
- Tier 2 with Community Benefits + 100% Residential Above Ground (MUB)
- No story limit / 50 ft maximum
- Minimum Ground Floor Height
- 11 ft (all districts)
Summary
In Mixed-Use and Commercial Districts, base (Tier 1) building height is 2 stories/32 feet in most zones, with higher limits available for projects providing affordable housing or community benefits under a tiered system.
TABLE 9.11.030.A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ALL PROJECTS, EXCEPT HOUSING PROJECTS -- MIXED-USE AND COMMERCIAL-DISTRICTS
Maximum Building Height (stories/ft.) [MUBL / MUB / GC (Santa Monica Blvd) / GC (Lincoln & Pico Blvds) / NC / NC (Main St) / NC (Ocean Park Blvd & Montana Ave)]
Tier 1 -- Base Standard 2/32' 2/32' 2/32' 2/32' 2/32' 2/27' 2/32'
Tier 1 -- Projects Including On-Site Affordable Housing in Compliance with AHPP 3/36' 3/39' if 100% residential above ground floor, 3/35' for all other projects 3/36' 2/32' 2/27' 2/32'
Tier 2 -- With Provision of Community Benefits 3/36' 3/45' 2/35' 3/32' (3/36' if on-site affordable housing provided) NA NA NA
Tier 2 -- With Provision of Community Benefits and 100% Residential Above the Ground Floor No limit to stories/36' No limit to stories/50' No limit to stories/35' No limit to stories/32' (36' if on-site affordable housing provided) NA NA NA
Minimum Ground Floor Height (ft.) 11' 11' 11' 11' 11' 11' 11'
Full Breakdown
The Tier 1 base standard is 2 stories/32 feet across MUBL, MUB, GC (Santa Monica Blvd), GC (Lincoln & Pico Blvds), and NC districts; the NC (Ocean Park Blvd & Montana Ave) subdistrict has a lower base of 2 stories/27 feet. Projects including on-site affordable housing under the AHPP may reach 3 stories/36 feet in most zones. Tier 2 projects with community benefits can reach 3 stories/45 feet in the MUB zone. Projects with community benefits and 100% residential above the ground floor may have unlimited stories (capped by absolute height in feet: 36 ft in MUBL, 50 ft in MUB, 35 ft in GC Santa Monica Blvd, 32-36 ft in GC Lincoln & Pico depending on affordable housing). Minimum ground floor height is 11 feet in all districts.
Violations & Fines
Construction exceeding permitted heights without required approvals is subject to code enforcement, stop-work orders, and may require removal of non-conforming elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build in Santa Monica's commercial zones?
Can I build taller than 3 stories downtown?
Where does the lower 27-foot limit apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle structure height limits.