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Santa Monica · Zoning · HMU

Santa Monica HMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

In Santa Monica's HMU zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft (3 stories) tall and the minimum lot size is 7,500 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Monica code, read October 2026).

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Key points

  • Maximum building height: 45 ft (Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects)
  • Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects)
  • Minimum lot size: 7,500 sq ft
  • Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5 (Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects)

HMU is a zoning district in Santa Monica. Every value below was read from the Santa Monica Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.

Development standards in HMU

The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.

Maximum building height
45 ft
Applies: Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects
§ 9.13.030 · code text
Table row “Tier 1 — Base Standard”, column “HMU”: 3/45'
Maximum number of stories
3 stories
Applies: Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects
§ 9.13.030 · code text
Table row “Tier 1 — Base Standard”, column “HMU”: 3/45'
Minimum lot size
7,500 sq ft
§ 9.13.030 · code text
Table row “Minimum Parcel Size (sq. ft.)”, column “HMU”: 7,500
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)
1.5
Applies: Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects
§ 9.13.030 · code text
Table row “Tier 1 — Base Standard”, column “HMU”: 1.5

Uses in HMU

Uses the code's use tables allow in HMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in HMU:

  • Maximum building height: 70 ft — Tier 2 — With Provision of Community Benefits; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030
  • Maximum building height: 70 ft — Housing Projects § 9.13.030
  • Maximum building height: 80 ft — 100% Affordable Housing Projects § 9.13.030
  • Maximum number of stories: 5 stories — Tier 2 — With Provision of Community Benefits; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030
  • Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Interior side adjacent to a Residential District § 9.13.030
  • Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Rear adjacent to a Residential District § 9.13.030
  • Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.5 — Tier 2 — With Provision of Community Benefits; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030
  • Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.5 — Housing Projects § 9.13.030
  • Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 3.0 — 100% Affordable Housing Projects § 9.13.030

Not on this page

We did not find a general front setback, side setback, rear setback, lot coverage, density limit for HMU in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Monica Municipal Code.

Other Santa Monica zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Santa Monica's HMU zone?

45 ft (tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.13.030.

What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Monica's HMU zone?

3 stories (tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.13.030.

What is the minimum lot size in Santa Monica's HMU zone?

7,500 sq ft — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.13.030.

What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Santa Monica's HMU zone?

1.5 (tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.13.030.

General information, not legal advice.

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More on Santa Monica

Santa Monica Municipal Code — full text

Zoning in Santa Monica

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