- Building department
- City of Santa Monica
- ZIP codes
- 90401 and nearby
- Most common job
- Seismic Retrofit & Foundation Repair
- Licensed
- CSLB 1083262Class B general building
Santa Monica has its own permits, its own mandatory retrofit program, coastal rules near the water, and rent control that shapes what you can do to an occupied building.
What we do most in Santa Monica
Seismic Retrofit & Foundation Repair
Making a building stay standing in an earthquake, and fixing the foundation underneath it.
Complete Home Renovation
The entire house in one project, instead of one room every other year.
ADU & Garage Conversion
A second home on your lot: a backyard unit, a converted garage, or a unit carved out of the house.
Exterior Remodel
How the building looks from the street, and how well it keeps the weather out.Building rules in Santa Monica
Santa Monica runs its own permits and plan check, has a seismic retrofit ordinance covering soft-story, unreinforced masonry and some concrete buildings, and applies Coastal Commission rules west of certain streets. The city also has strong rent control and tenant relocation rules that affect multifamily renovations.
Building department
City of Santa Monica Building & Safety
ZIP codes
90401, 90402, 90403, 90404, 90405
Neighborhoods we work in
North of Montana, Sunset Park, Ocean Park, Mid-City, Wilshire-Montana
How we run the job
1. Walk the property
We meet you on site, listen, and look at what the building and the city will need. You get a written scope and a budget range.
2. Drawings
When drawings are needed we bring in the architect and engineer, and price the design while it is being drawn.
3. Permit
We file with the city, handle the corrections they send back, and tell you where it stands.
4. Price and contract
An itemized price, a schedule and payment terms. Anything new after signing gets priced in writing first.
5. Build
One supervisor on your job, licensed trades, inspections in order, and a weekly update with photos.
6. Walkthrough
A final fix list, the city's sign-off, and a written warranty on our work.
Property services in Santa Monica
For owners and managers of rental and commercial buildings in Santa Monica: unit turnovers at a fixed price per unit, capital projects phased around tenants, seismic and balcony compliance, and pre-sale work. How property services work.
Santa Monica questions
Do I need Coastal Commission approval in Santa Monica?
Properties in the coastal zone may need a coastal development permit for additions and new construction. Many smaller remodels are exempt. We check the parcel's coastal status at the start.
Is the Santa Monica seismic retrofit mandatory?
Yes for building types the city has identified. Owners receive notices with deadlines for evaluation and retrofit.
Can I build an ADU in Santa Monica?
Yes. The city follows state ADU law with its own objective standards and has pre-approved plans available.
Priced for Santa Monica
kitchen & bathroom remodeling in Santa Monica, adu builder in Santa Monica, room additions in Santa Monica, whole-house remodel in Santa Monica, seismic retrofit & foundation in Santa Monica.
Neighborhoods in Santa Monica
Everything else we do here
kitchen & bathroom remodeling, room additions, ground-up new construction, build-to-suit & tenant improvements, home improvements & repairs.