Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica is a leader in EV infrastructure. CA AB 2097 eliminates parking minimums near major transit. CALGreen requires EV-ready wiring in new construction. The city offers…

On streets posted with overnight restrictions, no vehicle may remain parked for more than 30 minutes between 3 AM and 5 AM. City-wide, trailers and vehicles over 8 ft wide, 8 ft tall…

Trailers of any size and vehicles exceeding 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall, or 20 feet long are banned from all Santa Monica public streets and alleys between 9 PM and 6 AM unless the owner…

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…

Commercial vehicles that exceed 8 feet in width or 8 feet in height may not park on any residential district street or alley except when actively making commercial deliveries, in an…

Under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k) and Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 3.12, vehicles parked on public streets for 72 or more consecutive hours are considered abandoned…

Santa Monica has extensive preferential parking zones under SMMC Chapter 3.08 requiring resident permits. Metered parking and time-limited zones are enforced throughout the city.

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors designates preferential parking districts by ordinance, on petition from two-thirds of a street's dwelling units; Public…

Unincorporated Los Angeles County does not define curb colors itself, but drivers and pedestrians must obey every posted traffic sign or curb marking the road commissioner places…

In unincorporated LA County, curbside loading zones marked by the traffic commissioner cap commercial vehicle stops at 20 minutes and passenger stops at 3 minutes, daily 7 a.m. to 6…

Los Angeles County regulates non-consent towing only in its unincorporated territory, not in the 88 incorporated cities, and its Title 15 traffic ordinance is about when a vehicle may…

No one may remove, cut, trim, prune, or otherwise disturb any tree on public property, including streets, sidewalks, parkways, and alleys, without first obtaining a City permit, and…

Santa Monica requires property owners to maintain landscaping and prevent weed growth under SMMC Ch. 13.02. Overgrown vegetation, dying or dead plants, and inadequate ground cover are…

Santa Monica bans spray irrigation of lawns and landscapes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day, limits sprinkler run times, and can activate tiered outdoor watering day-of-week…

Santa Monica strongly encourages rainwater harvesting as part of its water self-sufficiency goal. The city promotes stormwater harvesting through BMPs and infrastructure. Landscape…

Santa Monica heavily restricts new turf. New residential properties may use high-water plants (including turf) in no more than 20% of total landscaped area. New commercial properties…

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, Los Angeles County requires new landscaping and revegetation to use locally-indigenous, drought-tolerant plants outside…

Tree trimming in unincorporated LA County is generally unrestricted for private property, except for protected oak trees. Any cutting or pruning of oak trees 8+ inches diameter…

SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.

Home occupations in Santa Monica may display only the occupant's address and name: no business signs, logos, or outdoor advertising of any kind are permitted.

Cottage food operations as defined under California Health and Safety Code § 113758 are explicitly recognized as a home occupation exception in Santa Monica, permitting non-resident…

Home occupations in Santa Monica require a Zoning Conformance Review before the City will issue a business license, confirming the use is incidental to the residential use and complies…

Home occupations in Santa Monica are capped at 6 client visits per 24-hour period and must not generate vehicle or foot traffic beyond what is normal for a residential neighborhood.

Large family day cares are permitted in Santa Monica residential dwellings without hour or day restrictions, provided the operator lives full-time in the home and the facility is…

California lets home cooks sell meals from their own kitchen under a microenterprise home kitchen operation (MEHKO) permit, capped at 30 meals a day, 90 a week, and $100,000 in annual…

Gas-powered leaf blowers have been banned in Santa Monica since 1991. Only electric blowers with manufacturer sound rating of 70 dB or less are allowed (July 2023 update). Hours…

Residential zones are limited to 50 dBA at night and 55 dBA during the day (15-minute Leq); commercial zones allow 60/65 dBA; industrial zones allow 70 dBA anytime.

In residential zones (Noise Zone I), noise must stay at or below 50 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, or 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekends.

Construction is limited to Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; no construction is allowed on Sundays or on federal holidays.

No dog, cat, or other animal may bark, yell, or cry for more than five continuous minutes or for fifteen total minutes in any sixty-minute period.

The Santa Monica Airport Noise Abatement Code caps aircraft noise at 95 dB SENEL and bans departures or run-ups between 11 PM and 7 AM on weekdays or 11 PM and 8 AM on weekends.

No one may use sound amplifying equipment or play a musical instrument in public parks, beaches, or recreational facilities after 10 p.m. on weekdays or before 7 a.m. (8 a.m…

Sound vehicles (trucks or other vehicles equipped with loudspeakers or sound-amplifying devices for advertising) in unincorporated LA County cannot operate on public highways between…

Every home-share host must maintain a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance covering home-sharing, or use a hosting platform that provides equivalent or greater coverage for each…

Santa Monica STRs are subject to occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms and building/fire code standards. Overcrowding is a code violation. Operators must ensure guest count…

STR guests in Santa Monica must comply with local parking regulations including permit parking districts and overnight restrictions. Beach-area parking is limited and metered…

Santa Monica only allows home-sharing (hosted stays) and requires both a City home-sharing permit and a business license before renting any bedroom short-term. The host must prove…

Santa Monica prohibits all unhosted vacation rentals entirely: the host must live in the dwelling and be physically present throughout every guest's stay. There is no annual night…

Home-share hosts must collect and remit the City's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all guest stays. Hosting platforms such as Airbnb are designated as the host's agent for TOT…

Home-share hosts are personally responsible for ensuring guests comply with Santa Monica's noise ordinance (Chapter 4.12) and must actively prevent any nuisance activities arising from…

In unincorporated LA County, hosting platforms must block Short-Term Rental bookings unless the host holds a valid County registration certificate, post that certificate number on…

Only a host's primary residence may be registered; the host must live there at least 275 days per year, must document it with two official records, and ADUs, vacation rentals, and…

A 'Hosted Stay' requires the host to remain on the property throughout the guest's occupancy except during daytime or work hours; an 'Un-Hosted Stay' where the host is absent is also…

Hosts face fines up to $2,000 per day per violation or twice the nightly rate (whichever is greater) for enumerated violations; platforms face up to $1,000 per day; certificates may be…

Feeding animals or birds in Santa Monica parks, piers, the public beach, or designated off-leash areas is prohibited without written authorization from the City Manager.

No dwelling may house more than four dogs over four months of age or more than five cats over four months of age.

Beekeeping is allowed only on single-family residential property, limited to two hives, and requires prior registration with the City's Animal Control Office.

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 individual behavior rather…

Dogs on any public property must be restrained by a leash of six feet or less in fixed length, held by a competent person, or confined in an automobile.

Up to thirteen fowl of any kind may be kept without a permit; pigs, bulls, and billy goats require a permit and must stay at least 300 feet from any residential or commercial district.

Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04.162 prohibits wild animals, venomous reptiles, and monkeys without a permit from the Animal Control Officer. All snakes, reptiles, non-human…

Feeding coyotes, raccoons, foxes, opossums, or ground squirrels is a misdemeanor in unincorporated Los Angeles County, with only narrow exceptions for trapped or injured animals.

In the Santa Monica Mountains North Area of unincorporated LA County, any vegetation removal or construction near nesting habitat requires a biologist nest survey within 30 days of…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, every cat over four months old must be individually licensed within 30 days of acquisition or moving in, and keeping an unlicensed cat is…

In unincorporated LA County, licensed pet-grooming facilities must follow detailed equipment, sanitation, and staffing standards set by County Code, not just general business rules.

In unincorporated LA County (and contract cities where Title 10 applies), dogs and cats four months or older must be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered-animal…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, a small-animal veterinary clinic needs a Conditional Use Permit in the C-1, C-2, and C-R commercial zones, while a full animal hospital with…

All dogs and cats four months of age or older in unincorporated LA County must be implanted with a microchip, and owners must register the chip number with the Department.

ADUs and JADUs in Santa Monica may not be rented for terms of 30 days or less unless specifically authorized under the City's Home-Sharing and Vacation Rentals ordinance (SMMC Chapter…

Santa Monica does not require owner-occupancy for standard ADUs, but owner-occupancy is required for Junior ADUs (JADUs): the owner must reside in either the primary dwelling or the…

ADUs and JADUs in Santa Monica are fully exempt from development impact fees, including affordable housing, child care linkage, transportation, and parks and recreation fees.

Storage sheds and other detached accessory buildings must be placed on the rear half of the lot, set back at least 5 feet from the rear property line, and are limited to 14 feet or one…

Santa Monica allows ADUs and JADUs by-right on residential parcels, approved ministerially within 60 days, with detached ADUs limited to 850 sq ft (studio/1BR) or 1,200 sq ft (2+ BR)…

Garages may be converted to ADUs by-right in Santa Monica, and no replacement parking is required when a garage or carport is demolished or converted to create an ADU or JADU.

Santa Monica has formally designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones based on recommendations by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Properties in High or Very High…

Smoke detectors are required in every residential dwelling, apartment, guestroom, condominium, and hotel or motel room in Santa Monica. Additional smoke detectors must be installed…

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…

All fireworks are illegal in Santa Monica, including California State Fire Marshal-approved Safe and Sane fireworks. The only exceptions are City Council-approved aerial public…

In areas served by LA County Fire, unincorporated county territory and dozens of contract cities, a Fire Department operational permit is required for LP-gas storage unless a single…

Recreational and cooking fires on private property in unincorporated LA County are allowed without a permit only if the fuel area does not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in…

Open outdoor fires are generally prohibited in unincorporated LA County except for specific permitted exceptions. Small recreational and cooking fires on private property (maximum 3…

Exceeding Santa Monica's standard fence or wall height limit requires a permit. Increases up to 4 feet above the limit in side/rear setbacks can be approved administratively with…

Boundary fences in Santa Monica follow CA Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) for shared cost. Spite fences over 10 ft are a private nuisance under CA Civil Code §841.4. Disputes…

Front-yard fences, walls, and hedges are capped at 42 inches; side and rear fences and walls may be up to 8 feet, while hedges in those setbacks may reach 12 feet.

Retaining walls four feet tall or less (measured from footing bottom to wall top) are permit-exempt in Santa Monica; taller walls require a building permit and must comply with seismic…

In residential zones, barbed wire (especially concertina wire), electrically energized fences, and fences with jagged edges such as glass or nails are prohibited; wooden, picket, and…

Pool fencing in Santa Monica must be at least 5 ft with no opening over 4 inches per SMMC §8.12.150. When replacing 50%+ of an existing enclosure, full current code compliance is…

Building permits are required for pool and spa installation in Santa Monica. Plans must include barrier details, drainage, and safety features. Pools are classified as accessory…

Santa Monica requires all generators, residential and commercial, to use a three-container collection system (black, blue, green) and to source-separate organic waste including food…

Trash and recycling containers may not be set out earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before collection and must be removed by 8:00 p.m. on collection day. Between collections, bins must be…

Tree limbs, brush, and yard trimmings set out for Santa Monica collection must be cut to no more than 4 feet in length and tied in bundles not exceeding 40 pounds. Palm fronds do not…

Dumping solid or liquid waste in storm drains, streets, sidewalks, public parks, or the beach is unlawful in Santa Monica, with fines starting at $250 and escalating to $1,000 for…

Santa Monica's Resource Recovery & Recycling team collects trash, recycling, and organics weekly on your assigned day. Confirm your day through the city or 311. When a holiday occurs…

Santa Monica mandates recycling under SB 1383 organics diversion requirements. The city's Resource Recovery Division provides recycling collection. Commercial properties have mandatory…

In unincorporated LA County, only the county's authorized recycling agent may take recyclables you've set out for pickup: anyone else who knowingly removes them is committing a…

In the unincorporated High Desert Area, county code requires occupied properties without county-provided trash pickup to use a permitted hauler or a self-hauler permit for at least…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, new commercial, industrial and 4+ unit residential projects must enclose dumpsters and recycling bins at least 10 feet from any building, 20 feet…

Waste collectors in unincorporated LA County must collect large items that cannot fit in standard bins, such as stoves, refrigerators, and furniture, though they may require advance…

New developments in Santa Monica's recycled water service area with at least 7,500 sq ft of floor area must use 100% recycled water for surface irrigation and eligible dual-plumbing…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, County Code § 11.38.640 makes leak repair a legal duty, not a suggestion: anyone who owns or rents premises with accessible indoor plumbing or…

Planting, trimming, or altering any tree or plant in the parkway strip (the area between curb and sidewalk) requires a City permit, and the Director of Community and Cultural Services…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County land inside a mapped Significant Ecological Area, removing, pruning past 25% of foliage, or encroaching on a tree from the County's SEA Protected…

The Santa Monica Mountains North Area CSD designates any tree with a single trunk 36 or more inches in diameter (or two trunks totaling 54 or more inches) as a heritage tree; removal…

Sidewalk vendors must display their permit at all times, comply with the City's noise ordinance, keep their area litter-free with an on-hand trash container, and are prohibited from…

Stationary sidewalk vendors are banned from the beach, the Transit Mall, residential zones, within 25 feet of the Third Street Promenade, and within 500 feet of the Pier bridge…

Food trucks in Santa Monica are regulated as vehicle vendors under SMMC Ch. 6.36. A city business license and LA County Health Permit are required. Sidewalk vending requires a separate…

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…

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…

Any development or construction within Santa Monica's designated special flood hazard areas requires a floodplain development permit before work begins. Violations constitute a…

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, new residential construction in FEMA A, AE, or AH flood zones must have its lowest floor built at least one foot above the…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, marinas, docks, piers, and boat launches need a Conditional Use Permit in the Open Space (O-S) zone and are barred outright in the A-1, A-2, R-R…

Los Angeles County's defensible space rules require specific vegetation management within 100 feet of structures on or adjacent to brushland. Dead vegetation must be removed…

Several unincorporated LA County areas fall within the California Coastal Zone, including communities near Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains. Coastal development permits from the…

Santa Monica requires all rent-controlled units to be registered with the Rent Control Board. Annual registration fee is $240 per unit for 2025/2026. Half ($10/month) may be passed…

Santa Monica has one of California's strictest rent control laws, adopted by voters in 1979. The 2025 general adjustment is 2.3% (max $60 increase, effective Sept 1). Covers most…

Santa Monica landlords must pay a mandatory relocation fee when displacing tenants for demolition, Ellis Act withdrawal, owner-occupancy, or when imposing rent increases above the…

Santa Monica enforces strict just-cause eviction protections. Tenants may only be evicted for enumerated at-fault or no-fault reasons. No-fault evictions require relocation assistance…

California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent statewide. Los Angeles County does not add a local cap…

Landlords of rent-stabilized units in unincorporated LA County must give tenants at least 30 days' written notice before any annual rent increase, and register the unit with the…

California Government Code §12955 bans housing discrimination based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers and other rental subsidies. LA County Title 8.42…

Los Angeles County's Building Code defines specific substandard conditions, including lack of hot water, inadequate wiring, pest infestation, and mold, that make any dwelling a public…

California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and…

California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written…

California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is…

To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more…

California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A…

Santa Monica classifies a data center as a Communication Facility, Equipment within Buildings - indoor space holding computer servers. The use needs a Conditional Use Permit in the IC…

Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 4.12 caps exterior noise at the property line. Residential Zone I limits are 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA overnight; industrial Zone III is 70 dBA at…

Exterior lighting may not spill onto neighboring properties at more than 0.5 foot-candles, and all fixtures must use IESNA 'Cut Off' or 'Full Cut Off' optics to prevent glare onto…

Santa Monica prohibits mercury vapor lamps, drop-down lenses, searchlights, and any flashing or moving lights, and restricts decorative spotlights from being aimed above the horizon…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, outdoor advertising signs and billboards can't use exposed incandescent lamps over 40 watts, revolving beacons, or flashing operations, and…

Snow is not applicable in Santa Monica due to its coastal Southern California climate. There are no snow removal or sidewalk clearing ordinances. Property owners maintain adjacent…

Santa Monica enforces strict property maintenance under SMMC Ch. 13.02. Deteriorated fences, unsightly structures, and unmaintained landscaping are violations. Properties must be…

Santa Monica requires owners of vacant or substantially vacant properties to register them with the city, maintain them in a safe and non-blighted condition, and pay ongoing monitoring…

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…

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…

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…

Political and noncommercial signs are protected expression in Santa Monica. The sign code permits noncommercial signs provided they are not of prohibited types. Temporary signs on…

Residents in Santa Monica can post temporary signs (including garage sale signs) in any residential zone without a permit, limited to two signs of 8 sq ft each (or one 16 sq ft sign)…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, temporary window signs on business storefronts can't cover more than 25 percent of any single window or connected window run along the same…

In unincorporated LA County, outdoor advertising signs can't have a message face within 660 feet of a freeway or scenic highway's right-of-way if aimed at passing drivers, per County…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, Code § 22.114.040 bans digital billboards outright in every zone: no sign may use flashing, sequential, or programmable-message illumination that…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, holiday decorations are exempt from the sign ordinance's ban on attention-getting devices like banners and balloons, but only if displayed in…

Massage establishments and massage technicians in Santa Monica must obtain a police permit in addition to a standard business license. State-licensed massage therapists may qualify for…

Adult entertainment (sexually-oriented) businesses may only operate in Santa Monica's designated commercial districts, must be at least 500 feet from schools, parks, libraries…

All tobacco retailers in Santa Monica must hold a valid city tobacco retailer's license, renewed annually by June 30. Retailers must check ID for anyone appearing under 27, cannot…

Secondhand stores in unincorporated LA County (Zones C-2 and MXD) must conduct all operations, including donation drop-off, sorting, and storage, inside an enclosed building, and must…

Body art establishments (tattoo, piercing, and related services) in unincorporated LA County must hold a county business license, a public health facility permit, and a conditional use…

In unincorporated LA County, operating a tow truck on a public highway for a fee requires a county license under Code § 7.28.030, unless the operator already holds a city-issued tow…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, running an auto repair business from a house is flatly illegal. County Code Table 22.140.290-A names automotive repair, painting, body/fender…

Pawnbrokers in unincorporated LA County must obtain a county license and may only conduct business between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; pledges and purchases are prohibited outside those…

Santa Monica sidewalks must maintain a continuous 4-foot clear path for pedestrians at all times. Unattended property on any public sidewalk, street, or right-of-way is prohibited…

In unincorporated LA County, the owner of property abutting a sidewalk or curb must repair or reconstruct it once it is out of repair, needs reconstruction, or endangers pedestrians.

Anyone placing an encroachment, fences, structures, driveways, pipelines, in an unincorporated LA County highway right-of-way must get a permit from the Public Works commissioner…

Commercial cannabis uses in Santa Monica must be located at least 600 feet from schools, youth centers, and licensed day care centers, measured at the time a complete permit…

Adults 21+ may cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants per household under CA Prop 64. Plants must be in a secure, enclosed area not visible from public view. Indoor cultivation is…

Santa Monica requires a cannabis retailer permit and City business license before operating any retail cannabis dispensary, with location standards set by Chapter 9.31 and operating…

Adults 21 and older in unincorporated LA County may cultivate up to six living cannabis plants per private residence under California Proposition 64, with plants kept indoors or in a…

Any organized event on City-owned property involving 150 or more persons, or requiring a temporary structure needing a Fire or Building permit, requires a community event permit from…

Parades and marches in Santa Monica require a community event permit and must follow five designated parade routes, generally in one direction only. Alternative routes may be permitted…

Santa Monica residents or businesses can close a neighborhood street for a block party by filing a permit with the Department of Transportation. The process requires a neighbor…

Restaurants in Santa Monica may set up outdoor dining on public sidewalks only as an accessory use to a legally established eating or drinking establishment, after obtaining Zoning…

Unincorporated LA County requires a Special Events Permit for street fairs, carnivals, and festivals; a Short-Term Special Events Permit caps sponsor-run fairs at six weekends or seven…

Santa Monica bans single-use plastic carry out bags at all retail establishments. Grocery stores and pharmacies may only provide reusable bags or recycled paper bags (for at least 10…

Santa Monica food and beverage providers may only give out single-use straws and utensils upon customer request: they may not be automatically provided with orders. Plastic straws may…

Santa Monica prohibits food and beverage providers from dispensing prepared food or drinks in any non-marine degradable disposable food service ware, effectively banning polystyrene…

California AB-1276 prohibits restaurants and food vendors from automatically providing single-use foodware accessories. Utensils, straws, condiments, and stirrers must only be supplied…

Santa Monica bans smoking in an extensive list of public outdoor and indoor locations, including all parks, beaches, the Pier, outdoor dining areas, farmers markets, and within 20 feet…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, skateboarding is banned on any county road, street, highway, lane, or alley with a grade over three percent, or at speeds above 10 miles per hour.

Los Angeles County bans loitering on any County-operated beach, including Venice, Zuma, and Dockweiler, between midnight and 6 a.m., regardless of whether the beach sits in…

In a narrow slice of unincorporated LA County near the Palos Verdes Peninsula, hosting a gathering where a minor drinks or ingests cannabis is a public nuisance carrying a $1,000 fine…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, Code Section 11.64.030 bans smoking or vaping cannabis in public beaches, elevators, buses, museums, libraries, public meeting rooms, and near…

In unincorporated LA County, the traffic commissioner can post signs banning pedestrian crossing at hazardous mid-block or intersection locations, and crossing there is prohibited.

Drinking beer, wine, or any other intoxicating beverage on a public street, sidewalk, alley, highway, or public parking lot in unincorporated Los Angeles County is a misdemeanor under…

Los Angeles County bans aggressive solicitation in every County-owned or -operated park, whether the park sits in incorporated or unincorporated territory: covering blocking…

Santa Monica provides expedited permit processing for solar energy systems that qualify under California Government Code Section 65850.5, handled through the City's Solar Energy System…

Solar panel installations on existing buildings follow a ministerial (by-right) standard and are exempt from Architectural Review Board approval as long as they meet the code's…

CA Civil Code §714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs from banning solar panels in Santa Monica. HOAs may only impose reasonable restrictions that do not significantly increase cost or…

Nightclubs, bars, and establishments with amplified music must locate all customer entrances and exits on commercial streets only, and must use two-door vestibules with solid-core…

Car alarms may not sound for more than fifteen minutes in Santa Monica; police may enter the vehicle to disconnect an alarm that has exceeded the limit.

Residential air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in unincorporated Los Angeles County may not exceed fixed decibel limits measured at the neighbor's property line, patio or…

When a Santa Monica hotel changes ownership or control, the incoming employer must retain all eligible hotel workers for a 90-day retention period and may only discharge them during…

Unincorporated LA County charges a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax on all hotel and short-term stays of 30 consecutive days or less, collected by the operator at the time rent is paid and…

Hotel employers in unincorporated LA County must pay room attendants double their regular rate for every hour worked on any day their cleaning workload exceeds 3,500 square feet (for…

In Santa Monica's Downtown, Main Street corridor, and portions of Montana Avenue, sitting or lying on public sidewalks in a way that blocks pedestrian access is prohibited between 6 AM…

Unincorporated Los Angeles County bans camping on any accepted county road or highway under Los Angeles County Code § 16.86.020, with fines escalating from $100 to $500 for repeat…

Santa Monica requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in all newly constructed buildings, with one limited exception for small detached residential garages. Existing buildings must…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, swinging entry doors on dwellings and single-tenant areas must carry a keyed deadbolt meeting Title 26 Chapter 67's forced-entry standards. A…

Hosts operating a Short-Term Rental in unincorporated Los Angeles County must provide and maintain working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on the premises under County…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, installing, altering, or repairing electrical wiring, devices, or equipment requires a permit from the Chief Electrical Inspector before work…

Unincorporated LA County requires a permit from the Chief Plumbing Inspector before any gas piping, drainage, sewer, or plumbing work under the adopted 2025 California Plumbing Code…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, building, altering, or demolishing a structure without a permit from the Building Official is prohibited, and permitted work must pass staged…

In unincorporated LA County, child care centers must supply 1 parking space per staff member, 1 per business vehicle, and 1 per 20 licensed children, plus a dedicated on-site drop-off…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, permit applicants for construction or demolition projects must recycle or reuse at least 70% of C&D debris by weight and 100% of land-clearing…

In unincorporated LA County, Title 26 requires written Building Official approval at each construction stage before work continues, foundation, framing, energy efficiency, plus a…

In Chapman Woods, unincorporated LA County caps new houses at 40% of lot area (max 3,500 sq ft) on lots under 13,000 sq ft, dropping to 20% (max 8,000 sq ft) on lots over 40,000 sq ft…

Santa Monica designates Landmarks through the Landmarks Commission when a structure meets at least one of six criteria related to historical, architectural, cultural, or aesthetic…

Property owners in Santa Monica's Third Street Neighborhood Historic District must obtain a Landmarks Commission certificate before making most exterior changes, constructing new…

Santa Monica allows designated Landmarks, Structures of Merit, and contributing buildings in Historic Districts to enter into Mills Act historical property contracts with the City for…

Solicitors and peddlers in Santa Monica must pay a license fee under SMMC Ch. 6.32. All persons engaged in door-to-door soliciting, canvassing, or peddling (by foot, vehicle, or other…

Santa Monica prohibits solicitors from ringing bells or knocking at residences displaying 'No Peddlers' or 'No Solicitors' signs per SMMC Ch. 6.32. Violations are enforceable under the…

Residential yard sales in Santa Monica do not require a Temporary Use Permit if held no more than twice per year per dwelling unit and lasting no more than two days each.

Most Santa Monica parks close at 11 p.m. and reopen at 6 a.m. Palisades Park has a later curfew of midnight to 5 a.m., while Chess Park closes from sunset to sunrise.

Minors under 18 may not be present in any public place between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise unless they qualify for one of ten statutory exemptions. Parents who knowingly allow violations…

In unincorporated LA County, verified student film productions skip the Fire Code permit fee for filming and still-photography permits on the initial issuance.

Filming that uses the public road right-of-way in unincorporated Los Angeles County, including lane or street closures, needs a Public Works highway permit; the county charges a $468…

Unlike almost every other noise source in unincorporated Los Angeles County, motion picture production and related activities are entirely exempt from Chapter 12.08's noise chapter: no…

Commercial still-photography shoots with 15 or more on-site cast and crew, held outside an approved production facility within the County Fire Protection District, need a Fire…

Los Angeles County prohibits tobacco retailers from selling any flavored tobacco product, including menthol, mint, fruit, chocolate, vanilla, and candy flavors, as well as electronic…

Federal Tobacco 21 (Public Law 116-94) and California Business and Professions Code section 22963 bar LA County retailers from selling cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any tobacco product…

In unincorporated LA County, rental properties with two or more units must have landlords treat every adjacent unit for bed bugs once an infestation is confirmed, under the county's…

Under California Health and Safety Code §113948, every food handler in LA County must obtain an ANSI-accredited food handler card within 30 days of hire. Cards are valid for three…

LA County Health Officer assigns letter grades A, B, or C to food facilities based on a 100-point inspection score, and may immediately close any facility that scores below 70 percent…

Infestation of insects, vermin, or rodents in a building is a substandard condition under Los Angeles County Code, making any affected dwelling or structure a public nuisance subject…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, housing developments that set aside units as affordable, senior, or donated-land housing qualify for a density bonus above the base zoning maximum…

Los Angeles County sorts businesses in the unincorporated area into more than 80 named license classes under Title 7: each with its own flat first-year and annual-renewal fee set by…

Section 8.53.105.B commits the County Housing Program Chief to a routine habitability inspection of every covered rental property in unincorporated Los Angeles County once every four…

Tenants in unincorporated Los Angeles County rental properties with two or more units can file a habitability complaint with the County Housing Program Chief, who must schedule the…

Unincorporated LA County zones farmland A-1 Light Agricultural or A-2 Heavy Agricultural under Title 22 Chapter 22.16, permitting crops, livestock, and low-density homes through…

California Civil Code §3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits after three years of consistent activity. LA County applies the state rule, particularly…

On county highways in unincorporated Los Angeles County, drivers must not drive in a marked bicycle lane except to cross at a driveway or to park where parking is legal or the vehicle…

A low-speed vehicle in California may not be driven on any roadway with a speed limit above 35 miles per hour. Vehicle Code section 21260 permits it to cross a faster road only where…

On County-run Los Angeles County beaches like Dockweiler and Marina del Rey, open fires and barbecues are banned except in specific County-installed fire pits, RV Park barbecues, and…

California Penal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. The LA County Sheriff issues permits to county residents under shall-issue rules following…

California Penal Code section 26350 bans open carry of unloaded handguns in incorporated areas, and section 26400 bans openly carried unloaded long guns. Most LA County cities are…

California Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in LA County to be unloaded, with handguns inside a locked container or trunk. Long guns must be…

California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However…

California AB-1236 (Labor Code §2814) prohibits LA County and any city or county from requiring private employers to use E-Verify. Federal mandates apply only to federal contractors…

LA County has no general predictive-scheduling ordinance for unincorporated areas. California AB-1228 governs fast-food workers via the statewide Fast Food Council, and statewide…

California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, $16.90 per hour for all employers as of January 2026. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher…

California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours…

HOAs in LA County are governed by the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code §4000–6150). Board meetings require advance notice, open sessions, and recorded…

HOAs in LA County may require architectural approval for exterior modifications under their CC&Rs, but California law limits restrictions on solar panels, drought-tolerant landscaping…

The Davis-Stirling Act regulates HOA assessments in LA County. Regular assessments may increase up to 20% annually without member vote. Special assessments exceeding 5% of budget…

The Davis-Stirling Act requires HOAs to offer internal dispute resolution (IDR) and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) before litigation. Members may request IDR meetings with the…

HOAs in LA County enforce CC&Rs through the Davis-Stirling Act. Fines require notice and hearing. CC&R amendments typically need 67% member approval. Enforcement must be uniform and…

California voids any HOA governing-document clause that effectively bans or unreasonably restricts a clothesline or drying rack in an owner's exclusive-use backyard. Civil Code Section…

Civil Code section 4735 voids any HOA rule that bans low-water plants, turf replacement, or artificial turf, and bars fines for cutting back watering during a declared drought…

Civil Code § 4745 voids any HOA covenant or governing-document rule that prohibits or unreasonably restricts installing an EV charging station in an owner's unit or designated parking…

Civil Code § 4705 bars every California homeowners association from limiting a member's display of the United States flag on their own lot or within their exclusive-use common area…

California law caps homeowners association fines at $100 per violation or the amount listed in the association's published penalty schedule, whichever is less. Civil Code section 5850…

A California homeowners association cannot foreclose on a member’s home over unpaid dues until the delinquent assessments alone reach $1,800, or until the assessments secured by the…

Civil Code § 4741 bars every California homeowners association from adopting or enforcing a rule that prohibits, or unreasonably restricts, renting out a separate interest, and sets a…

The LA County Agricultural Commissioner maintains a list of noxious weeds and invasive plant species. California's noxious weed list (Food & Agriculture Code §5004) applies countywide…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, violating any Title 22 zoning provision, permit, or approval is a misdemeanor by default under County Code § 22.242.030, with each day of the…

Security cameras on private residential property are legal in unincorporated LA County. California is a two-party consent state for audio recording (Penal Code §632), so cameras…

California is a two-party (all-party) consent state for recording confidential communications. Under Penal Code §632, recording private conversations without consent from all parties…

California's Gambling Control Act bars any city or county from issuing a gambling license to a cardroom unless a local ordinance authorizes it first: one adopted by voters after…

California Penal Code § 326.5 lets only tax-exempt nonprofits, mobilehome park associations, senior groups, and school-affiliated charities run bingo, and only under a local city or…

California law exempts private home card games from gambling regulation entirely. Penal Code § 337j(e)(2)(D) excludes any card game played in a private home or residence from the…

California has no legal sports betting, in stores or online. Penal Code section 337a criminalizes bookmaking, pool-selling, and placing or accepting any bet on the result of a sporting…

Sobriety checkpoints are lawful in California and stopping at one is a statutory obligation, not a courtesy. Vehicle Code § 2814.2(a) requires a driver to stop and submit to a sobriety…

California is one of the few states that answers this by statute rather than by case law alone. Penal Code § 148(g) says that photographing or making an audio or video recording of a…

California has no general stop-and-identify statute. The old Penal Code § 647(e), which required a person lawfully detained to give "credible and reliable" identification, was held…

California has no statute that requires you to consent to a search of your car, and none that requires an officer to warn you that you may refuse. What the Legislature and the voters…

California works from a closed list: Vehicle Code section 24003 says no vehicle may carry any lamp or illuminating device not required or permitted by the code, so an accessory light…

California measures dash cam placement in square inches. Vehicle Code section 26708(b)(13) lets a video event recorder occupy a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield…

Lane splitting is lawful in California. Vehicle Code section 21658.1, added by AB 51 in 2016, defines it as driving a motorcycle with two wheels in contact with the ground between rows…

California does not let you put a cover over your license plate. Vehicle Code section 5201(c) allows exactly two things: a full car cover on a lawfully parked vehicle, and a license…

No section of the California Vehicle Code makes it an offense for a private motorist to own, carry or use a radar detector. The prohibition in Vehicle Code section 28150 reaches only…

California permits metal studded tires only between November 1 and April 30, and only where the studs are tungsten carbide or another suitable material and the metal touching the road…

California never publishes a "legal VLT" for front side windows because it does not permit aftermarket darkening there at all. Vehicle Code section 26708(d) allows only clear…