R1 Interim Zoning Ordinance

On February 13, 2018, the Santa Monica City Council adopted an interim ordinance that temporarily reduces the size of new construction in R1 single-unit residential zoning districts pending the completion of a comprehensive review of R1 zoning standards.  The interim ordinance comes on the heels of Council’s January 9, 2018 direction to prioritize a comprehensive review of R1 development standards.  Although the ordinance does not take effect until March 16, 2018, the changes are retroactive and will apply to any project in the R1 zone submitted after February 23, 2018.  You can look up the zoning for your home on the interactive zoning map to determine whether this ordinance applies to you. 

The following is a summary of changes:

Building Height: Max 28 feet

Parcel Coverage: Max 50% total on a sliding scale, Max 20% on second story

Second Floor Decks and Balconies: Max aggregate of 400 square feet 

Accessory Dwelling Units: Excluded from parcel coverage calculations 

The interim ordinance may be extended for a period up to five years pending adoption of permanent revised standards. The comprehensive review process is anticipated to begin in the first part of 2019 and will involve a significant public engagement process to identify the appropriate scale of new construction and additions in R1 neighborhoods.  

Click here to sign up for R1 Zoning Ordinance updates

If you have any questions, please contact any planner at the City Planning Division at (310) 458-8341 or planning@smgov.net.

New Supplemental Soft Story Permit Application Packet

The City of Santa Monica’s Building & Safety Division is implementing a simplified process for soft-story seismic retrofit building permit applications. The new Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit supplemental application, simplifies a project’s plan check by removing the need for review by the City Planning and/or Mobility Divisions for most projects. 

The Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit supplemental application is completed in conjunction with the City’s regular Plan Check application and includes a series of questions about the project to determine whether the project qualifies for the exception from plan check review by City Planning and/or Mobility.

Further, for tenant-occupied residential properties, a simplified Soft-Story specific Means & Methods form is provided with the new application to replace the standard long form Means & Methods Plan. An applicant is only required to sign the Soft-Story Means & Methods form  1) acknowledging the tenant protections during construction and tenant relocationrequirements mandated by the Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC), and 2) agreeing to abide by these, and all other applicable requirements of the SMMC.

Commercial Cannabis Licensing Update

The City of Santa Monica is currently accepting applications to select two (2) Medicinal Cannabis Retailers.  For more information on how to apply or for information on the permitting process for Medicinal Cannabis Light Manufacturing please visit the Commercial Cannabis Business Licensing page.  Please note the City has a prohibition on adult use non-medicinal commercial cannabis activities.  

Downtown Community Plan is Now Online!

The adopted Downtown Community Plan is live on the world wide web!

https://www.smgov.net/Departments/PCD/Plans/Downtown-Community-Plan/

New Water Neutrality Ordinance in Effect

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Historic Resource Inventory Update

Santa Monica Citywide Survey Update

In 2016-2017, the City of Santa Monica will be conducting an update to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory. Working with a consultant team of Architectural Resources Group and Historic Resources Group, the project will consist of the creation of a comprehensive Citywide Historic Context Statement, and a Citywide Historic Resources Survey that will be used to update the City’s Historic Resources Inventory. The context statement and survey will consider properties constructed through 1977. The team will look at all property types – residential (single- and multi-family), commercial, industrial, and institutional (civic buildings, schools, social clubs, etc.), as well as historic sites and landscapes – and will evaluate properties for potential architectural, social, and cultural significance. The team will be conducting outreach throughout the project, both to keep the community apprised of the project status and solicit input on potentially significant properties and neighborhoods. Email us at samosurvey@historicresourcesgroup.com to be added to the mailing list for community outreach meetings, or watch this space for updates. Follow #samosurvey on social media on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for periodic updates and interesting finds.