City overview

Santa Monica, CA

Know before you sign a lease

Population 93,000 · LA County · Zoning code effective Dec 2025

Verified from Santa Monica Municipal Code (Dec 2025)

Zones

Business types

Mixed-use

Overlays

Residential zones

R1 · Single-unitR2 · Low densityR3 · Medium densityR4 · High density

Ocean Park neighborhood

OP1 · OP single-unitOPD · OP duplexOP2 · OP low densityOP3 · OP medium densityOP4 · OP high density

Downtown districts

LT · Lincoln TransitionNV · Neighborhood VillageBC · Bayside ConservationTA · Transit AdjacentOT · Ocean TransitionWT · Wilshire Transition

Mixed-use & commercial

MUBL · Mixed-use boulevard lowMUB · Mixed-use boulevardGC · General commercialNC · Neighborhood commercial

Bergamot & employment

BTV · Bergamot transit villageMUC · Mixed-use creativeCAC · Conservation art centerCCS · Conservation creative sectorIC · Industrial conservationOC · Office campusHMU · Healthcare mixed-use

Click any zone to see allowed uses →

Cannabis snapshot

Permitted by right — all non-residential zones

Retail

OPEN

Available

Delivery

OPEN

Available

Non-City Delivery

OPEN

Available

Cannabis retail permitted by right (P) in all non-residential districts — Downtown, mixed-use, commercial, Bergamot, and employment zones. No license cap. Buffer: 600ft from schools, youth centers, licensed daycare. Social equity program authorized. Hours: 6 AM–10 PM.

4% gross receipts (Measure HMP 2022, voter-approved, max 10%) · Annual permit renewal · Cannabis retailer permit + business license + state license

Director approval — no discretionary review

Data from municipal code and CA Dept. of Cannabis Control where applicable. Verify with city planning before proceeding.

Check your business

Find where your business is allowed in Santa Monica

🍽Can I open a restaurant?

🌿Can I open a dispensary?

💪Can I open a gym?

🏠Can I run a home business?

🍸Can I open a bar?

🏨Can I open a hotel?