Part of the city’s Realignment Plan renewal effort, which invests $60 million in business support, service restorations, street improvements and safety initiatives, this voluntary pilot program will allow pre-certified licensed professionals to self-certify that their plans for commercial tenant improvements are compliant with all California codes and local ordinances.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2026/01/12/new-self-certification-building-permit-program-will-streamline-business-openings-boost-economic-growth

A coalition of neighborhood groups has filed a formal complaint alleging three Santa Monica City Council members violated conflict-of-interest laws in approving a major affordable housing project last month, demanding an investigation and voiding of the vote ahead of a scheduled ratification of other housing actions.

Read More:

https://smmirror.com/2026/01/santa-monica-residents-allege-council-conflicts-in-affordable-housing-vote/

The City Council Tuesday will recast votes on housing items Councilmember Jesse Zwick voted on after being hired by a housing advocacy group, resulting in a conflict of interest.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/01_09_2026_Council_to_Revisit_Housing_Votes.html

Aileen Reynolds, who will head the Department of Housing and Human Services, most recently served as Assistant Commissioner of Housing Opportunity at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/01_08_2025_City_Hires_New_Housing_Director.html

Starting last Thursday, a local law requires landlords of market-rate apartment units in Santa Monica -- including single-family homes, condos, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) -- to register them with the City.

Under a State law that also kicked in on January 1, landlords must provide working refrigerators and stoves in rental units, including single family homes.

Under a State law that also kicked in on January 1, landlords must provide working refrigerators and stoves in rental units, including single family homes.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/01_05_2026_New_Laws_Kick_in_This_Month.html

The rental registry ordinance, unanimously approved by the Santa Monica City Council in November 2025, requires all landlords to register their rental units with the city — extending to single-family homes, duplexes, condos, accessory dwelling units and any buildings not already under rent control. 

Read More:  https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/010226.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com

The ordinance, approved by the City Council earlier in December and affecting about 74% of rental units in Los Angeles, caps annual rent hikes between 1% and 4%. It also prohibits increases when tenants add family members such as children or elderly relatives under their care and eliminates certain utility-related surcharges.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/12/mayor-bass-signs-updated-rent-ordinance-imposes-new-limits-on-increases/

A newly seated City Council that holds a 6 to 1 super-majority quickly makes housing development its top priority. New mayor Lana Negrete, who had been part of a narrow slow-growth Council majority that focused on public safety, finds herself a lone dissenting voice.

From the start, the Council approves measures that make it easier and faster for residential developers to build and sets aside City land for affordable housing. Talk of placing thousands of units on Airport land -- designated by voters for a “Great Park” -- picks up steam.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/December-2025/12_29_2025_Top_Stories_2025_Q1.html

Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a self-certification program allowing businesses to obtain building permits in as little as one day, bypassing weeks of city review. The program launches April 2026 for commercial renovations, including restaurants.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-approves-self-certification-pilot-to-fast-track-building-permits/

The move is part of a $50 million grant in state funding

See Video: https://smmirror.com/2025/12/video-pickleball-court-in-santa-monica-to-convert-to-affordable-housing/