Santa Monica ADU Regulations

• ✓AB 1332 Standard Plan preapproval pathway with listed vendor plans
• ✓SCAG REAP "ADU Accelerator" grant improved the handbook and process
• ✓Each ADU needs its own address application
• ✓Detached standard plans cannot be altered without losing preapproval

Regulations codified in SMMC §9.31.025. Placement standards: generally not in front setback; 4 ft side/rear; detached ADU ≥6 ft from principal dwelling.

State guarantee: California requires every city to allow at least an 800 sq ft ADU exempt from local lot coverage, FAR, and front-setback rules.

Height baseline: 16 ft for detached, rising to 18 ft within ½ mile of major transit. Attached ADUs follow the primary home, capped at 25 ft.

Preapproved program warns that relocating or displacing parking may trigger curb-cut closure review with the Mobility Division. Citywide ADU parking rules per SMMC §9.31.025.

Standard plans submitted via Santa Monica Electronic Plan Review. Using a preapproved plan: cite plan ID, sign Hold Harmless Agreement, get expedited review. Coastal Zone may add CDP layer.

State backstop: A complete ADU permit must receive a decision in 60 business days. If the city stalls past 30 business days, AB 253 lets you hire a certified private plan checker to force a 10-business-day decision.

Preapproved program page notes that ADUs >750 sq ft may owe Public Works impact fees.

SB 543: No impact fees on ADUs ≤750 sq ft. Above 750 sq ft, fees scale to the ratio of ADU size vs the main home.

Visit the official Santa Monica ADU page (link in hero) for current eligibility and downloads.

Standard ADUs in Santa Monica: no owner-occupancy required (made permanent in 2023).

JADUs: limited to 500 sq ft of interior livable space within an existing single-family home. Owner occupancy is required only when sanitation facilities are shared with the main house. JADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals (AB 1154 / SB 543).