Santa Monica · Land use · Private school
Where is a private school allowed in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, a private school is allowed in 9 base zones (NV, BC (Third Street Promenade Area), BC (Excluding Third Street Promenade Area), TA, MUBL and 4 more, 3 with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 18 (R1, R2, R3, R4, OP1 and 13 more, 4 with a condition) and not allowed in 3 (Santa Monica use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: NV, BC (Third Street Promenade Area), BC (Excluding Third Street Promenade Area), TA, MUBL, NC, HMU, CC and 1 more
- Needs a permit: R1, R2, R3, R4, OP1, OPD, OP2, OP3 and 10 more
- Not allowed: OT, CCS 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 a private school can go
Santa Monica's code calls this use “Schools, Public or Private”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NV | Allowed — see note Note 3: Between 4th and 7th Court, permitted in mid-block parcels on the ground floor and upper floors. On all other parcels, permitted anywhere on the ground floor if the space has street frontage and was occupied by office on, or is vacant but was occupied by office in the 12 months preceding, the date the ordinance codified herein is effective; otherwise, permitted on upper floors and on the ground floor where the entire tenant space including the primary entry is located at least 50 feet from the front property line. | § 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 | § 9.10.040 |
| TA | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| MUBL | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| NC | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| HMU | Allowed | § 9.13.020 |
| CC | Allowed — see note Note 3: Limited to public, quasi-public, or nonprofit establishments. | § 9.15.020 |
| PL Public District | Allowed | § 9.15.020 |
| R1 Single-Unit Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.07.020 |
| R2 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note *: For uses within specified areas, see Section 9.08.030(A) | § 9.08.020 |
| R3 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note *: For uses within specified areas, see Section 9.08.030(A) | § 9.08.020 |
| R4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.08.020 |
| OP1 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OPD Ocean Park Neighborhood District OPD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OP2 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OP3 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OP4 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| LT | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.10.040 |
| WT | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.10.040 |
| MUB | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.11.020 |
| GC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.11.020 |
| BTV | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.12.020 |
| MUC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.12.020 |
| CAC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.12.020 |
| IC | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Permitted if existing. New uses require approval of a Conditional Use Permit. | § 9.13.020 |
| OC | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Permitted if existing. New uses require approval of a Conditional Use Permit. | § 9.13.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- S8 (OF) row reads only 'Schools' (P) and was left out because it does not name private. Row also covers public schools.
- 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 a private school in the R1 zone in Santa Monica?
Only with a conditional use permit. Santa Monica's use table lists it that way in R1 (Single-Unit Residential District) (§ 9.07.020).
Can I have a private school in the OT zone in Santa Monica?
No. Santa Monica's use table does not allow it in OT (§ 9.10.040).
Can I have a private school in the NV zone in Santa Monica?
Yes, with a condition. Santa Monica's use table lists it as allowed in NV (§ 9.10.040). The code adds a condition: “Between 4th and 7th Court, permitted in mid-block parcels on the ground floor and upper floors. On all other parcels, permitted anywhere on the ground floor if the space has street frontage and was occupied by office…”
General information, not legal advice.
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