Santa Monica · Zoning · OC
Santa Monica OC zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Monica's OC zone, generally buildings can be up to 32 ft (2 stories) tall and the minimum lot size is 15,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Monica code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 32 ft (Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects)
- Minimum lot size: 15,000 sq ft
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5 (Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects)
OC 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 OC
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 | 32 ft Applies: Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030 · code textTable row “Tier 1 — Base Standard”, column “OC*”: 2/32' |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030 · code textTable row “Tier 1 — Base Standard”, column “OC*”: 2/32' |
| Minimum lot size | 15,000 sq ft § 9.13.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Parcel Size (sq. ft.)”, column “OC*”: 15,000 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.5 Applies: Tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030 · code textTable row “Tier 1 — Base Standard”, column “OC*”: 1.5 |
Uses in OC
Uses the code's use tables allow in OC, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Live-work unit — Needs a conditional use permit
- Rooming or boarding house — Allowed
- Child care center — Allowed
- Private school — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in OC:
- Maximum building height: 45 ft — Tier 2 — With Provision of Community Benefits; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030
- Maximum building height: 60 ft — Housing Projects § 9.13.030
- Maximum building height: 70 ft — 100% Affordable Housing Projects § 9.13.030
- Maximum number of stories: 3 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): 1.75 — Tier 2 — With Provision of Community Benefits; all projects except housing projects § 9.13.030
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.75 — Housing Projects § 9.13.030
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 3.25 — 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 OC 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Monica's OC zone?
32 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 OC zone?
2 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 OC zone?
15,000 sq ft — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.13.030.
What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Santa Monica's OC zone?
1.5 (tier 1 — Base Standard; all projects except housing projects) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.13.030.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Santa Monica property in OC
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question