Santa Monica, CA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval required
- Written approval from Superintendent of Streets for any new driveway
- Multi-family max width
- 28% of lot width; 14 ft if frontage under 50 ft
- Multi-family min width
- 12 feet
- Single-family max width
- 28% of street frontage; 14 ft single driveway always allowed
- Single-family min width
- 10 feet
- Commercial min width
- 20 ft (two-way); 12 ft (one-way)
- Commercial max width
- 35 feet without special approval
Summary
Any driveway crossing a public street, parkway, or sidewalk in Santa Monica requires written approval from the Superintendent of Streets, with maximum widths of 28% of lot frontage for residential uses and a 35-foot cap for commercial uses.
§ 7.04.180. Driveways from public streets onto private property. No driveway shall cross a public street, parkway, or sidewalk without written approval of the Superintendent of Streets. The Parking and Traffic Engineer shall not approve a driveway or driveways to serve any lot zoned for multiple residential use under the provisions of Chapter 9.04, Article 9 of this Code, which would exceed in total width 28% of the width of said lot, said 28% to be measured between the bottoms of the vertical tapers in the curb, except that on any lot with street frontage less than 50 feet a single driveway not to exceed 14 feet in width shall be permitted. The minimum width of the driveway shall be 12 feet. The maximum width shall be 35 feet. For any lot zoned for commercial or industrial use, the minimum width of a driveway shall be 20 feet for a two-way operation and 12 feet for a one-way operation.
Full Breakdown
For multi-family residential lots, total driveway width may not exceed 28% of the lot's street frontage, but a single driveway of up to 14 feet is permitted on any lot with frontage under 50 feet; the minimum width is 12 feet and maximum is 35 feet. For single-family residential lots, the total width may not exceed 28% of street frontage, a 14-foot single driveway is always permitted regardless of frontage, and the minimum width is 10 feet. For commercial and industrial lots, the minimum is 20 feet for two-way driveways and 12 feet for one-way; widths above 35 feet require a finding by the Parking and Traffic Engineer that a wider access is required by the nature of the business. Variances may be granted by the Parking and Traffic Engineer in limited circumstances such as lot size constraints or reconstruction of existing approaches.
Violations & Fines
Work without required written approval violates the Municipal Code. The City may remove non-compliant driveway aprons and assess the cost against the property as a special lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put in a driveway?
How wide can my single-family residential driveway be?
Can I widen my commercial driveway beyond 35 feet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
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Driveway Rules in Nearby Cities
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