Santa Monica · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 28 base zones (R1, R2, R3, R4, OP1 and 23 more, 7 with a condition) and not allowed in 3 (Santa Monica use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R1, R2, R3, R4, OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4 and 20 more
- Not allowed: OPD, PL and OS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Santa Monica Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Santa Monica's code calls this use “Multiple-Unit Dwelling”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R1 Single-Unit Residential District | Allowed — see note Note 1: Permitted only on parcels with existing surface parking lots: (a) Owned in whole or in part by a Community Assembly use in accordance with requirements of Section 9.31.196 , Multiple-Unit Dwelling Projects Located on Community Assembly Surface Parking Lots; or (b) Associated with existing multiple-unit dwellings or commercial uses in accordance with requirements of Section 9.31.197 , Multiple-Unit Dwelling Projects Located on Residentially Zoned Surface Parking Lots. | § 9.07.020 |
| R2 | Allowed — see note Note *: For uses within specified areas, see Section 9.08.030(A) | § 9.08.020 |
| R3 | Allowed — see note Note *: For uses within specified areas, see Section 9.08.030(A) | § 9.08.020 |
| R4 | Allowed | § 9.08.020 |
| OP1 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP1 | Allowed — see note Note 1: Permitted only on parcels with existing surface parking lots: (a) Owned in whole or in part by a Community Assembly use in accordance with requirements of Section 9.31.196 , Multiple-Unit Dwelling Projects Located on Community Assembly Surface Parking Lots; or (b) Associated with existing multiple-unit dwelling or commercial uses in accordance with requirements of Section 9.31.197 , Multiple-Unit Dwelling Projects Located on Residentially Zoned Surface Parking Lots. | § 9.09.020 |
| OP2 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP2 | Allowed | § 9.09.020 |
| OP3 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP3 | Allowed | § 9.09.020 |
| OP4 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP4 | Allowed | § 9.09.020 |
| LT | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| NV | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| BC (Third Street Promenade Area) | Allowed — see note Note 1: Limited to upper floors, and on the ground floor where the entire tenant space shall be located at least 25 feet from the front property line, except for residential units shall be limited to upper floors only. | § 9.10.040 |
| BC (Excluding Third Street Promenade Area) | Allowed — see note Note 1: Limited to upper floors, and on the ground floor where the entire tenant space shall be located at least 25 feet from the front property line, except for residential units shall be limited to upper floors only. | § 9.10.040 |
| TA | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| OT | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| WT | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| MUBL | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| MUB | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| GC | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| NC | Allowed — see note Note 1: Limited to the upper floors and areas not subject to the Active Use Requirement set forth in Section 9.11.030(A) for parcels located on Main Street, Montana Avenue, Pico Boulevard, and Ocean Park Boulevard. Permitted on all floors for all other parcels. | § 9.11.020 |
| BTV | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| MUC | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| CAC | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| CCS | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| IC | Allowed | § 9.13.020 |
| OC | Allowed | § 9.13.020 |
| HMU | Allowed | § 9.13.020 |
| OF Oceanfront District | Allowed | § 9.14.020 |
| CC | Allowed | § 9.15.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 9.31.195 , Multiple-Unit Dwelling Projects.
- 'Senior Citizen Multiple-Unit Dwelling' is a separate senior housing row and was not used.
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: Chapter 9.51 use definitions (Community Assembly, Residential Care General/Limited/Senior, Child Care and Early Education Facility) are not in the packet; Section 9.08.030(A) (specified areas for R2/R3, header asterisk) not in packet; Section 9.31.x use standards not in packet; R2/R3 columns in S2 carry an asterisk meaning special rules in specified areas. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Santa Monica
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the OPD zone in Santa Monica?
No. Santa Monica's use table does not allow it in OPD (Ocean Park Neighborhood District OPD) (§ 9.09.020).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R1 zone in Santa Monica?
Yes, with a condition. Santa Monica's use table lists it as allowed in R1 (Single-Unit Residential District) (§ 9.07.020). The code adds a condition: “Permitted only on parcels with existing surface parking lots: (a) Owned in whole or in part by a Community Assembly use in accordance with requirements of Section 9.31.196 , Multiple-Unit Dwelling Projects Located on…”
General information, not legal advice.
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