Answers › How long does a remodel permit take in Santa Monica?
How long does a remodel permit take in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, a like-for-like interior remodel that keeps the layout can often be permitted within a few weeks, sometimes over the counter, while a project that changes structure, adds square footage or sits in the Coastal Zone typically spends roughly 4 to 12 weeks in plan check, longer if the reviewer asks for corrections. Accessory dwelling units are the exception: state law requires a decision within 60 days of a complete application.
| Like-for-like interior work | Often a few weeks, sometimes over the counter |
|---|---|
| Structural, additions, Coastal Zone | Roughly 4 – 12 weeks in plan check |
| ADU | Decision within 60 days of a complete application |
| Who issues it | City of Santa Monica Building and Safety |
Santa Monica issues its own permits
Santa Monica is a separate city with its own Building and Safety division, so permits are not pulled through the City of Los Angeles. The review path depends on what the work touches.
Over the counter or a few weeks: replacing cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures, flooring or windows in the same openings, electrical and plumbing work that stays in place, water heater and HVAC replacements.
Plan check, roughly 4 to 12 weeks: removing or adding walls, new beams, moving plumbing or gas, additions, second stories, new decks or roof structures, and most work on the exterior of a property in the Coastal Zone. Each round of corrections adds time, so a complete, coordinated set of drawings is the fastest path.
ADUs, 60-day clock: under California law a complete ADU application must be approved or denied within 60 days. The clock starts when the city deems the application complete, not when it is first dropped off.
What slows a Santa Monica permit down
Incomplete structural calculations, missing Title 24 energy documentation, unclear Coastal Zone status, and designated historic properties, where the Landmarks Commission reviews exterior changes, are the usual causes of delay. For condominiums, homeowners association approval has to be in hand before work starts, even though the city does not require it for the permit.
Oria Builders (CSLB #1029255) prepares and submits the permit package, responds to plan-check comments and schedules inspections for every Santa Monica project. Current review times and fee schedules change, so confirm them with the City of Santa Monica when you plan the schedule.
Related Questions
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets in Santa Monica?
Replacing cabinets and counters in the same layout is usually permitted quickly or exempt, but any plumbing, gas or electrical change that comes with it needs a permit. Confirm with the city for your specific scope.
What is the Coastal Zone's effect on permit time?
Work that needs a Coastal Development Permit adds the coastal review on top of the building permit, which can add several weeks to a few months. Many interior remodels qualify for an exemption.
Can my contractor pull the permit for me?
Yes. A licensed contractor normally pulls the permit as part of the job. Be cautious of any contractor who asks you to pull an owner-builder permit instead.
Sources
Related
- General contractor in Santa Monica
- Project: Commercial Space Redesign in Santa Monica – Innovative Music School Transformation
- Case study: Modern ADU Creation in Santa Monica’s Ocean Park Neighborhood
- How much does an ADU cost in Santa Monica?
- What is the Coastal Zone and how does it affect remodeling in Santa Monica?
- How much does a 400-square-foot ADU cost?
Answered by Gilad Segev — Founder & Licensed General Contractor, Oria Builders (CSLB #1029255). Last updated October 2, 2026.