Environmental Rules in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
3 verified environmental rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Santa Monica prohibits non-stormwater discharges to the city's storm sewer system (MS4) and requires all property owners and businesses to follow good housekeeping practices including keeping trash receptacles covered and closed. Development projects must submit a Runoff Mitigation Plan before receiving a building permit.
Environmental: Stormwater
Significant RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code §§ 7.10.040, 7.10.080
§ 7.10.040. General prohibitions. (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.10.050, it is unlawful for any person to discharge or cause a non-stormwater discharge to the MS4. (b) It is unlawful for any person to discharge or cause, either individually or jointly, a discharge into or from the MS4 that results in or contributes to a violation of the permit. (c) It is unlawful for any person t...
Erosion Control
Santa Monica's floodplain regulations restrict or prohibit filling, grading, and other development that could increase flood damage or alter drainage patterns, and require all new development to provide adequate drainage.
Environmental: Grading Drainage
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 7.68.030; § 7.68.170
§ 7.68.030. Methods of reducing flood losses. To accomplish its purposes, this Chapter includes regulations to: (a) Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities; (b) Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be...
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.
Environmental: Flood Zones
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 7.68.130
§ 7.68.130. Floodplain development permit. No person shall develop or erect any structures, including manufactured homes, within any special flood hazard area without first obtaining a floodplain development permit. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the City. The applicant shall provide the following minimum information: (a) Plans in duplicate, drawn to sc...
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