Rent Control Board grants new-construction exemptions for two recently built units

The Santa Monica Rent Control Board voted July 9 to grant staff-recommended new-construction exemptions for units at 2409 28th Street and at 2234 5th Street.

During the meeting, staff told the board that the properties were constructed after the city’s rent-control law took effect and were not subject to rent control because they were not converted by an Ellis Act withdrawal or removal permit. Staff recommended adoption of the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to confirm the exemptions.

“ I would like to move that we agree with the findings and confirm the exemption for Units 2411 A at 2409 28th Street and 2411 B,” Commissioner Dudek said when moving the first exemption. The motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote; the board took a separate motion and vote to exempt 2234 5th Street as well.

Board members did not pause the meeting for public comment on these jurisdictional items. The clerk recorded affirmative roll-call votes and the chair announced that both motions carried.

The actions record the board’s formal determinations that the identified units meet the criteria for new-construction exemption under the board’s implementing rules; the board adopted staff’s proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and entered the exemptions into the record. No amendments or conditions to the exemptions were noted in the transcript.

The board moved on to administrative items following the votes and adjourned later in the evening. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. in council chambers.