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Council aligns local zoning with SB9, directs staff to return on broader local reforms
Summary
After extended debate about local control and neighborhood impacts, the council adopted zoning amendments to conform to state SB9 rules for duplexes and lot splits, and directed staff to prepare a separate local ordinance package to pursue council's prior May 13, 2025 policy directions (including guaranteed unit-size and owner-occupancy changes).
The City Council voted on April 14 to adopt zoning text amendments aligning Santa Monica's code with California's SB9 framework for duplexes and small-lot subdivisions in single-family zones, while simultaneously directing staff to prepare a follow-up local ordinance to implement the council's previous May 13, 2025 policy package.
Planning staff explained the amendments implement state floors (including 800-square-foot minimum unit size under state law), AB 1061 historical-district protections, and clarifications for upper-story stepbacks and setbacks. Council members debated whether the city should exceed state floors by guaranteeing larger minimum unit sizes or remove the SB9 owner-occupancy requirement via a separate local ordinance.
After discussion, the council voted to adopt the state-aligned amendment and to direct staff to return with a separate local ordinance that would reflect earlier council compromises, including a guaranteed unit-size target of 1,500 square feet and other local implementations to ensure oversight of larger projects. One council member voted against the motion, citing concerns about Sacramento-driven mandates and neighborhood impacts.
Why it matters: SB9 implementation determines whether and how small-lot subdivisions and duplexes may be built across large swaths of single-family-zoned land. Local decisions on unit size, owner-occupancy and design standards shape the number and type of units that will be feasible and influence neighborhood character.
Next steps: Staff will draft the separate local ordinance package and return to planning commission and council for the additional changes the council requested, including standards that would allow larger unit sizes while addressing setbacks, height, parking and modulation.
