Santa Monica · Land use · Rooming or boarding house
Where is a rooming or boarding house allowed in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, a rooming or boarding house is allowed in 26 base zones (R2, R3, R4, OP2, OP3 and 21 more, 10 with a condition) and not allowed in 4 (Santa Monica use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R2, R3, R4, OP2, OP3, OP4, LT, NV and 18 more
- Not allowed: OP1, 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 a rooming or boarding house can go
Santa Monica's code calls this use “Single-Room Occupancy Housing”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 — 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 |
| 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 — 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 — 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 |
| OT | 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 |
| WT | 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 |
| MUBL | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| MUB | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| GC | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| NC | Allowed | § 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 — see note Note 1: Permitted as part of a mixed-use development. | § 9.15.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 9.31.330 , Single Room Occupancy Structures.
- 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 rooming or boarding house in the OP1 zone in Santa Monica?
No. Santa Monica's use table does not allow it in OP1 (Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP1) (§ 9.09.020).
Can I have a rooming or boarding house in the R2 zone in Santa Monica?
Yes, with a condition. Santa Monica's use table lists it as allowed in R2 (§ 9.08.020). The code adds a condition: “For uses within specified areas, see Section 9.08.030(A)”
General information, not legal advice.
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