Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica has very strict rules on oversized vehicle parking. Vehicles over 22 feet long or over 7 feet tall are prohibited from parking on residential streets. RVs, boats on trailers, and other oversized vehicles may not be stored on the street and must be kept in enclosed garages or approved off-site storage. The city actively enforces these restrictions with regular patrols.

Santa Monica has an extensive network of permit parking zones and metered parking throughout the city. The 72-hour parking limit applies on all streets without shorter posted limits. Preferential parking permit zones cover most residential neighborhoods, requiring a resident permit to park during restricted hours. Meter enforcement operates seven days a week in many commercial areas.

Santa Monica limits front yard fences and walls to 42 inches (3.5 feet) in residential zones. Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet. In areas subject to Coastal Zone regulations, additional height and transparency requirements may apply to protect views. Fences exceeding height limits or using prohibited materials require a variance from the Planning Division.

Santa Monica follows the California Fire Code with local amendments and SCAQMD regulations. Gas and propane fire pits are generally permitted in residential yards with proper clearances. Wood-burning fire pits are subject to SCAQMD no-burn day restrictions. Open fires on the beach require compliance with State Parks rules, and Santa Monica State Beach does not permit personal fire pits or bonfires.

Santa Monica enforces one of the stricter noise ordinances among LA County coastal cities. Quiet hours run from 10 PM to 7 AM daily in residential zones. The city sets exterior noise limits of 50 dBA during the day and 45 dBA at night in residential areas, with interior limits of 40 dBA daytime and 35 dBA nighttime. Amplified music, powered equipment, and loudspeakers are prohibited during quiet hours across residential property lines.

Santa Monica restricts construction to Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays 9 AM to 5 PM. Sunday and holiday construction is prohibited entirely. These hours are stricter than many neighboring cities. Construction noise must not exceed 90 dBA at any point outside the property line of the site, and the city requires noise mitigation plans for major projects.

Santa Monica has one of the strictest short-term rental enforcement programs in the nation. Only home-sharing is permitted, meaning the host must be a permanent resident of the property and physically present during the guest's stay. Vacation rentals of entire units are banned. The city has aggressively pursued enforcement, filing lawsuits against platforms and individual hosts, and imposing fines of up to $500 per day for violations.

All Santa Monica home-sharing hosts must collect and remit a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on gross rental revenue. Hosts must obtain a business license, register with the City's Finance Department for TOT collection, and display their permit number on all listings. Hosting platforms are held accountable and must remove listings that lack valid permit numbers.

Santa Monica has one of the most comprehensive urban tree protection ordinances in Southern California. The city designates trees as a significant community resource. A permit is required to remove any tree on private property with a trunk diameter of 4 inches or greater measured at 4.5 feet above grade. Landmark and specimen trees receive additional protections. Illegal tree removal can result in fines of up to $10,000 per tree plus replacement costs.

Santa Monica requires property owners to maintain their properties free of overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, and debris. Overgrown vegetation that creates fire hazards, attracts vermin, or constitutes a public nuisance is subject to code enforcement. The city promotes drought-tolerant landscaping and prohibits wasteful irrigation, but properties must still be maintained in a neat and orderly condition.

Dogs in Santa Monica must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times when on public property. Dogs are not allowed on Santa Monica State Beach except at the designated off-leash dog beach area near the Airport Park area. The city operates several off-leash dog parks where dogs may exercise freely under owner supervision.

Santa Monica permits home-based businesses in residential zones subject to strict conditions designed to preserve neighborhood character. The business must be clearly incidental to the residential use, conducted entirely within the dwelling, and create no visible evidence of the commercial activity from outside. No more than one non-resident employee is allowed, and customer visits are limited.