Santa Monica ranks as the second most expensive city for renters in the Los Angeles metro area, with one-bedroom apartments commanding a median rent of $2,950 per month, according to a new report released Thursday.

The findings come amid a broader housing affordability crisis that has seen median home sales prices nationwide surge from $313,000 in the first quarter of 2019 to $416,900 in the first quarter of 2025.

Read More: https://smdp.com/business/real-estate-housing/housing-affordability-crisis-deepens-in-santa-monica/

Because here’s the truth: SMO has so many options. Closure is just one. And in a city where real estate is measured in gold, the future will likely be shaped not just by ideals—but by incentives, not ‘pie in the sky’. Maintaining SMO as an operating, economically viable airport is the only rational option. Remember, with two more voting cycles, you will have an opportunity to say who will be on the council to support your choice. The opportunity remains to preserve a valuable asset that provides jobs, economic value, and regional aviation access, with thoughtful planning—not assumptions dressed as certainty. Choose wisely.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/05/sm-a-r-t-column-smo-so-many-options-part-3-pie-in-the-sky/

Now, three City Councilmembers (Zwick, Zernitskaya, and Hall) propose to fundamentally change Santa Monica’s SB9 Ordinance, by “removing the owner-occupancy requirement for lot splits … and clarifying that vacant or demolished parcels… are eligible for lot splits…” Their resolution is currently on the City Council Agenda for the May 13, 2025, Council meeting. According to a Public Records Act request to the City, these two changes were recommended by Stephen Anderson, who is the corporate representative of the two SB9 developments in Santa Monica, proposed by Delaware corporations. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/05/sm-a-r-t-column-owner-occupancy-protects-against-corporate-over-development/

Santa Monica is a primarily affluent city with excellent public transportation and a high walkability score. Great public schools, universities, and colleges abound in our vicinity. We are surrounded by incredible natural beauty, and the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Mountains are adjacent. We are perhaps one of the world’s most significant centers for the arts, and the creative energy is palpable. However, the social ill of homelessness, the high propensity of crime against residents and visitors, the decrease in our tree canopy, increased density, lack of civility in our civil discourse, and extreme pollution in our air and ocean disrupt the happiness index in Santa Monica.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/04/sm-a-r-t-column-the-worlds-happiest-cities/

The community verdict is in on including housing on the 192 acres of open land slated to be converted into a "great park" when the airport closes at the end of 2028.

According to the highly anticipated results of an online survey released by the City Wednesday, "community members were divided on whether or not they would like to see housing on the future site."

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/May-2025/05_22_2025_Survey_Shows_Division_Over_Airport_Housing.html

The proposed ordinance would cover the governing boards of three nonprofit organizations that play a critical role in Santa Monica's economy -- Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM), Santa Monica Travel and Tourism Inc. (SMTT) and the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, Inc. (SMPC).

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/April-2025/04_15_2025_Proposed_Ordinance_Requires_Council_Appoint_Residents.html

A rental registry is a city-maintained database of all rental units and property owners.

Read More: https://smdp.com/opinion/santa-monica-needs-a-rental-registry-now/

Landlords looking to protect themselves from disputes and potential lawsuits should consider giving each tenant a rent receipt after every payment.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2025/04/15/lifestyle/state-laws-require-rent-receipts-did-you-give-or-get-one-this-month/8921.html

The January 2025 wildfires that devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena left an indelible mark on Los Angeles County. Beyond the immediate human tragedy lies a critical juncture for community planning and policy development. As climate scientists project increasing wildfire intensity and frequency in coming decades, the rebuilding process represents a rare opportunity to implement forward-thinking approaches that enhance community resilience against future disasters.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/04/sm-a-r-t-column-part-ii-rebuilding-resilient-communities-policy-and-planning-after-the-fires/

Among the new provisions, property owners who commit five or more violations within a 12-month period of tenant protection codes, housing anti-discrimination codes, or building regulations would be subject to enhanced penalties. Other additions include making illegal subdivisions of dwelling units and failing to comply with the city's mandatory seismic retrofit program public nuisances.

Read More: https://smdp.com/business/real-estate-housing/council-approves-new-tools-to-target-nuisance-properties/