Use of Public Property Permit

A Use of Public Property Permit is required when any person deposits or maintains in or upon any public street, parkway, sidewalk, alley, park, or other public land, any:

1. Moving container,
2. Temporary fencing,
3. Protective canopy,
4. Building material,
5. Debris and debris receptacle (dumpster), or
6. Equipment in connection with any building or other work upon adjacent private property.

Temporary No Parking signs will be issued as necessary to facilitate the permitted use of public property. You can find the templates and Posting Guidelines below,

• Temporary No Parking Signs Posting Guidelines 
• Template for Moving container/Dumpster 
• Template for Construction Vehicles

Note: A Use of Public Property Permit is not required when use of public property is necessitated by another permit issued by the Public Works Department. These permits include Sewer, Excavation, Offsite Improvement, and Film Permits. These permits inherently authorize necessary use of public property in connection with the work authorized under the permit.

Validity

A Use of Public Property Permit can be issued for a duration of 1 to 180 days. Upon approval by the Public Works Department, the Permit may be renewed an unlimited number of times for durations ranging from 1 to 180 days.

Exception for Moving Containers: A Use of Public Property Permit for a moving container can be issued for a maximum of 14 days. Renewals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Public Works Department.

How to Apply

Use of Public Property Permit applications are accepted via email at pwpermits@smgov.net. This inbox is monitored Monday through Thursday 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Due to recent City restructuring, our response times are currently delayed. Please do not send multiple emails regarding your inquiry; staff process all emails in the order received and will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

Required Information.

• Applicant information: name, address, phone number, email, and company name (if applicable)
• Site address
• Description of requested use of the public right-of-way and associated dimensions. Click here for Template. For example
  • Construction vehicles (each vehicle is assumed to be 20' x 8'). If requesting a parking meter, provide the parking meter number (printed on the street-facing side of the meter).
  • Dumpster (assumed to be 20' x 8' unless told otherwise by the applicant).
  • Moving container (assumed to be 20' x 8' unless told otherwise by the applicant).
  • For situations not listed above, have the dimensions of the requested use of public property. A site plan may be helpful.
• Desired start and end date for permit
• Proof of insurance is required for the activities listed below. Click here for the City's insurance requirements. Click here for a sample certificate of insurance.
  • Cranes
  • Tree Trimming
  • Pedestrian Canopies
  • Scaffolding
  • Barricades

How to Renew

Use of Public Property Permits may be renewed over the counter at the Public Works Counter during regular operating hours. No appointment is necessary. You may also renew a permit by emailing pwpermits@smgov.net. Please include the renewal dates in your request. Fees will be assessed based on the length of renewal.

Fees

The fees below are effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Permits issued after June 30, 2020 will be subject to the fees set for the subsequent fiscal year.

Notes:

1. Vehicle-mounted cranes with a footprint, including outriggers used while the crane is in operation, completely confined within the parking lane, are exempt from the Crane daily rate and subject only to the Base Rate plus the Square Footage Area Charge.

Examples

Moving Container

Scenario: Jane and Joe Smith area moving out of their residence and want to place a 20 ft long moving container in the parking lane in the street in front of their home for 5 days.

Discussion: Parking lanes in Santa Monica are 8 ft wide, so a 20 ft long moving container in the parking lane occupies 160 sq ft of public property. Two Temporary No Parking Signs are required to reserve the space for the moving container. A fee breakdown is provided in the table below:

Dumpster

Scenario: XYZ Contractors would like to put a 30 ft long dumpster in the parking lane in front of a commercial construction site. The dumpster will be there for 30 days.

Discussion: Parking lanes in Santa Monica are 8 ft wide, so a 30 ft dumpster in the parking lane occupies 240 sq ft. Three Temporary No Parking signs are required to reserve the space for the dumpster. A fee breakdown is provided in the table below:

Crane

Scenario: XYZ Crane Co would like to put up a crane in front of a construction project 2 days. They will need to reserve 50 feet of curb space for the crane.

Discussion: Cranes are charged a daily rate; no square footage fees apply. Three Temporary No Parking signs are required to reserve the space for the crane. A fee breakdown is provided in the table below:

Permit Renewal

Scenario: XYZ Contractors needs to renew its permit for a 30 ft long dumpster for an additional 30 days. The dumpster is serving a commercial project.

Discussion: Parking lanes in Santa Monica are 8 ft wide, so a 30 ft dumpster in the parking lane occupies 240 sq ft. Since this is an existing permit, a renewal fee applies along with the square footage daily rate for the renewal dates. The Temporary No Parking signs issued as part of the original permit can be reused for the renewal period. If the applicant wants new signs, s/he will need to pay for new signs.

Updated July 26, 2021