Properties in fire hazard zones near Santa Monica must maintain defensible space per CA PRC §4291. Santa Monica itself is largely urban/coastal with limited wildfire risk, but properties near the Santa Monica Mountains may fall in fire hazard zones.
Santa Monica has adopted the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition, via SMMC Chapter 8.44. The California Fire Code requires property owners to maintain defensible space by clearing brush and flammable vegetation. While Santa Monica is not in a high-fire-severity zone like hillside communities, the adopted fire code requires proper vegetation management. Dead vegetation must be promptly removed per SMMC property maintenance standards. The Fire Prevention Division conducts inspections and enforces vegetation management requirements.
Failure to maintain proper vegetation clearance may result in fire code violations, administrative citations, and potential abatement at the property owner's expense under SMMC Chapter 13.06.
Santa Monica, CA
Backyard chickens are allowed in Santa Monica with restrictions. Roosters are prohibited in residential areas due to noise. Livestock keeping is restricted b...
Santa Monica, CA
Dogs must be on a leash in all public areas in Santa Monica. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks. The city enforces leash laws through ...
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica does not impose breed-specific legislation. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous dog determinations are based on i...
Santa Monica, CA
Feeding wildlife in Santa Monica public parks and beaches is discouraged. The city's property maintenance code addresses nuisance conditions from wildlife at...
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica mandates recycling under SB 1383 organics diversion requirements. The city's Resource Recovery Division provides recycling collection. Commercia...
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica provides bulky item pickup through the Resource Recovery Division. Items should be placed at the curb and labeled 'For City Pick-up.' Removal wi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle brush clearance.
See how Santa Monica's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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