Building Setbacks & Zoning in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Building Setbacks: Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.12.030(B); § 9.11.030(D)
B. Building Frontage Line. 1. To create walkable streets, buildings facing the following streets shall provide a minimum building setback as measured from the street curb face to the building façade, as provided below and in Figure 9.12.030(C): a. Nebraska Avenue between Stewart and Berkeley Street: 20 feet. b. Pennsylvania Avenue between 26th Street and Stewart Street: 20 feet. c. Stewart Stre...
Structure Height Limits
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.
Building Setbacks: Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.11.030, Table 9.11.030.A
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 Affo...
Lot Coverage Limits
R1 zone floor area ratio (FAR) ranges from 0.45 to 0.55 depending on the number of stories and whether the project involves an addition to an existing structure rather than new construction.
Building Setbacks: Lot Coverage
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 9.07.030
TABLE 9.07.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS--SINGLE-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT Maximum FAR One-story structure less than 18 ft. in height: 0.5. For parcels less than 5,000 sq. ft., a maximum FAR equaling 2,500 sq. ft. shall be permitted. One-story structure 18 ft. or more in height: 0.45. For parcels less than 5,000 sq. ft., a maximum FAR equaling 2,250 sq. ft. shall be permitted. Two-story structure:...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Los Angeles County →