ADU Construction · Santa Monica
ADU Construction in Santa Monica, CA
Detached and attached ADUs, alley units and guest houses for Santa Monica properties, designed to the city's ADU ordinance and state law, with coastal and historic review handled where they apply.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Santa Monica
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Santa Monica, CA
ADU Construction for Santa Monica Homeowners
We deliver ADU construction in Santa Monica for owners adding a rental, a home for family, or a separate studio and guest suite. Simply Construction manages the design, city permits and construction as one project, so you have a single team accountable for the finished unit.
Santa Monica applies its own ADU ordinance within the limits of state law, and its lots have a feature many cities lack: alleys. An alley-facing ADU can have its own entry and a real sense of separation from the main house, which makes it more livable for a tenant and more private for you.
Local Knowledge
ADU Opportunities on Santa Monica Lots
North of Montana and in Sunset Park, many single-family lots back onto an alley, often with an older detached garage at the rear. That arrangement lends itself to a detached ADU at the back of the lot, either replacing the garage or built beside it. State law guarantees room for at least an 800 square foot unit with 4-foot side and rear setbacks, which is meaningful on Santa Monica's smaller lots.
Transit matters for height. Detached ADUs are generally allowed up to 16 feet, but within a half mile of major transit the limit rises to 18 feet, plus up to 2 more feet to match the main house roof pitch. With several Metro E Line stations inside the city, some lots may qualify, and we confirm it for your address.
Coastal and historic layers can apply as well. Lots in the Coastal Zone may need a coastal development permit alongside the ADU permit, and a property in a historic district or with landmark status will need the unit designed with that review in mind.
What's Included
What We Handle on a Santa Monica ADU
- Feasibility check covering zoning, alley access, transit proximity, coastal zone and historic status
- Alley units, backyard cottages and garage replacements designed to the city ordinance and state minimums
- City of Santa Monica permits, plus coastal development permits where the lot requires one
- Utility planning for separate or shared sewer, water and electrical service
- Sound and privacy planning between the ADU, the main house and close neighbors
- Full construction through final inspection with Title 24 energy compliance
For the full scope, process and options, see our main ADU construction page, or browse everything we build on our Santa Monica service area page.
Planning Considerations
ADU Choices for Westside Lots
Rebuild the Garage or Build New
An old alley garage is tempting to convert, but some were built with minimal foundations and low walls. It can be better to demolish and build a new ADU in a similar location, gaining proper height, insulation and structure. We evaluate the existing garage first and show you both paths, with their tradeoffs, before design begins.
Fees and Unit Size
State law exempts ADUs under 750 square feet from impact fees, which is worth weighing on a Santa Monica lot where a compact unit may fit better anyway. A well-planned one-bedroom under that size can live larger than its square footage with good ceiling height and light. For a two-bedroom, we compare the added fees against the added value.
Review Timing
Once an ADU submittal is complete, California gives the city a 60-day window to decide it. A coastal development permit or historic review can add time around that window, so we identify both early and sequence the submittals so that one approval is not waiting on another to begin. Clean, complete packages are the most reliable way to keep that clock running in your favor.
Why Choose Us
Why Santa Monica Homeowners Choose Simply Construction
Licensed, Bonded and Easy to Verify
Simply Construction inc. is a licensed California general contractor, CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]. State law requires a license for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and anyone can check a contractor's license, bond and workers' compensation status on the CSLB website in about a minute. We encourage every Santa Monica homeowner to do exactly that before signing with anyone, including us.
Permits Handled With the City of Santa Monica
Most delays on large residential projects start at the permit counter. We prepare the drawing set, coordinate structural and Title 24 energy calculations, answer plan-check comments and schedule inspections with the City of Santa Monica, so you are not the one chasing corrections. For ADUs, state law requires the agency to act on a complete application within 60 days, and a complete, well-coordinated submittal is what starts that clock.
Care for Your Street and Your Neighbors
Large projects happen next door to people who live there. We plan staging, dumpster placement, deliveries and working hours around Santa Monica rules, keep the site secured at the end of each day, and give you notice before loud or disruptive phases such as demolition, concrete pours or crane lifts, so you can give your neighbors a heads-up too.
More in Santa Monica
Other Services in Santa Monica
Nearby
ADU Construction Near Santa Monica
FAQ
ADU Construction in Santa Monica: Common Questions
Can I build an ADU in Santa Monica if my lot is in the Coastal Zone?
Usually, yes. State ADU law applies in the Coastal Zone, but coastal rules still apply too, so a coastal development permit may be needed alongside the building permit. We confirm your lot's status and plan the approval sequence so the coastal review does not surprise you partway through the project.
Does an alley make a difference for an ADU?
It often does. An alley can provide a separate entrance, easier construction access and a clear sense of privacy between the ADU and the main house. It can also affect where utilities connect. We design the unit to take advantage of the alley while meeting setbacks and keeping neighbors' privacy in mind.
Will a historic designation stop me from building an ADU?
Not necessarily. Many landmark and historic district properties can still add an ADU, but the design will be reviewed for compatibility with the historic character. That usually means careful placement, massing and materials. We check the property's status early and design with that review in mind from the first sketch.
Start Your Project
Planning an ADU in Santa Monica?
Tell us about your property and goals. We will walk the site, flag anything the City of Santa Monica will care about, and give you a written, line-item estimate.
Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]