Santa Monica OPD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

OPD (Ocean Park Neighborhood District OPD) 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 OPD

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	23 ft Applies: Flat roofs and roofs pitched less than 1:3; pitched roofs have a separate limit (see below) § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Base Standard—Flat Roofs; Roofs Pitched Less Than 1:3”, column “OPD”: 23
Maximum number of stories	2 stories § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Base Standard”, column “OPD”: 2
Minimum front setback	30 ft Applies: Measured from the centerline of the walkway § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Front”, column “OPD”: 30 measured from the centerline of the walkway
Minimum side setback	greater of 4 ft. or 10% of parcel width Applies: Blank walls and walls containing secondary windows on parcels less than 50 ft. in width § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Side—Blank walls and walls containing secondary windows on parcels less than 50 ft. in width”, column “OPD”: Greater of 4 ft. or 10% of parcel width
Minimum rear setback	15 ft § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Rear”, column “OPD”: 15
Minimum lot size	5,000 sq ft § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Minimum Parcel Size (sq. ft.)”, column “OPD”: 5,000
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	1.0 § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Base Standard”, column “OPD”: 1.0
Maximum density	2 units per parcel § 9.09.030 · code text Table row “Maximum Allowable Density”, column “OPD”: 2 units per parcel

Uses in OPD

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

Duplex — Allowed
Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit
Private school — Needs a conditional use permit

When a different number applies

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

Maximum building height: 30 ft — Pitched roofs § 9.09.030
Minimum side setback: 8 ft — Walls containing primary windows on parcels less than 50 ft. in width § 9.09.030
Minimum side setback: 12 ft — Walls containing primary windows on parcels 50 ft. or more in width § 9.09.030

Not on this page

We did not find a general lot coverage limit for OPD 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 OPD zone?

23 ft (flat roofs and roofs pitched less than 1:3; pitched roofs have a separate limit (see below)) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.09.030.

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

2 stories — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.09.030.

What is the minimum front setback in Santa Monica's OPD zone?

30 ft (measured from the centerline of the walkway) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.09.030.

What is the minimum side setback in Santa Monica's OPD zone?

greater of 4 ft. or 10% of parcel width (blank walls and walls containing secondary windows on parcels less than 50 ft. in width) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.09.030.

What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Monica's OPD zone?

15 ft — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.09.030.

General information, not legal advice.