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Historic homes in Santa Monica

Santa Monica's own rules on historic homes, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Santa Monica Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Santa Monica's code says

Santa Monica code What Santa Monica's code adds
Changing a historic home
  • Certificate of appropriateness or certificate of economic hardship.
    Applies: Landmarks, landmark parcels and buildings in a historic district.
    § 9.56.170 · code text
    An application for a certificate of appropriateness or an application for a certificate of economic hardship approving any proposed alteration, restoration, construction, removal, relocation, or demolition, in whole or in part, of or to a Landmark or Landmark Parcel, or of or to a building or structure within a Historic District shall be processed in accordance with the following procedure:
  • Certificate of exemption, certificate of administrative approval, or certificate of appropriateness.
    Applies: Projects in the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District, depending on the enumerated work.
    § 9.58.030 · code text
    The Landmarks Commission Secretary shall issue a certificate of exemption for projects in the District if the Secretary finds that the proposed project is included within the list of work enumerated in Section 9.58.020(B).
Demolishing an older or historic home
  • Certificate of appropriateness or certificate of economic hardship.
    Applies: Demolition of contributing structures in the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.
    § 9.58.050 · code text
    The demolition of contributing structures located within the District shall only be permitted upon issuance of a certificate pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) below:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to a historic home in Santa Monica?

Santa Monica's code: Certificate of appropriateness or certificate of economic hardship. (Landmarks, landmark parcels and buildings in a historic district.) (§ 9.56.170); Certificate of exemption, certificate of administrative approval, or certificate of appropriateness. (Projects in the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District, depending on the enumerated work.) (§ 9.58.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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Santa Monica Municipal Code — full text