Garage Construction · Santa Monica
Garage Construction in Santa Monica, CA
New alley garages, replacement garages and garage and ADU combinations for Santa Monica lots, designed for tight access, salt air and the city's zoning, coastal and historic rules.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Santa Monica
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Santa Monica, CA
Garage Construction for Santa Monica Homeowners
We handle garage construction in Santa Monica for owners replacing a failing older garage, adding a garage with living space above or beside it, or building covered parking where none exists. Each project is designed, engineered and permitted as a real structure, built to last in a coastal setting.
In Santa Monica, many garages sit at the rear of the lot off an alley. That access is an advantage for a garage and ADU combination, and on many lots it is also the only way in for materials and equipment. We plan the build around it from the beginning.
Local Knowledge
New Garages on Santa Monica Lots
Many of the detached garages behind Santa Monica homes are original to houses built in the first half of the twentieth century. They were sized for smaller cars, often have minimal foundations and can show termite or moisture damage. Replacing one with a properly engineered garage gains usable space, modern door openings and room for EV charging.
A new garage is also the natural base for an ADU. For a garage with living space, height is the deciding rule: a detached ADU generally tops out at 16 feet, or 18 feet within a half mile of major transit such as the E Line stations, while a unit attached to the main house can go higher. Those limits decide whether living space goes above the garage or beside it.
Coastal and historic status can apply to a garage as well, particularly when it is visible from the street or part of a landmark property. We check both at feasibility, then design the garage doors, roofline and materials to fit the house and the block.
What's Included
What a New Santa Monica Garage Involves
- Demolition and removal of an existing garage, including hazardous material testing on older structures
- New detached or attached garages and garage and ADU combinations engineered for the lot
- Engineered slab, framing and headers that span a two-car door and carry a unit above if planned
- Corrosion-resistant doors, hardware and fasteners suited to the coastal environment
- Wiring for an EV charger, storage lighting and outlets placed where you will actually use them
- City permits plus coastal or historic review where applicable, through final inspection
For the full scope, process and options, see our main garage construction page, or browse everything we build on our Santa Monica service area page.
Planning Considerations
Building a Garage on a Tight Lot
Staging on a Narrow Lot
With a house in front and an alley behind, a garage project often has very little room for materials and equipment. We schedule deliveries in stages, coordinate with neighbors who share the alley and keep access open for their cars and trash pickup. That planning matters as much as the construction itself on a tight Santa Monica site.
Hazardous Materials in Older Garages
Garages from the early and middle twentieth century can contain asbestos in roofing or siding and lead paint on trim and doors. Before demolition, testing identifies what is there, and any abatement is handled by licensed specialists under the required procedures. We plan for it at the start so it does not become a surprise once work begins.
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
Garage Construction Near Santa Monica
FAQ
Garage Construction in Santa Monica: Common Questions
Can I replace my old alley garage with a garage and ADU?
Often, yes. A replacement garage with an ADU above or beside it can make good use of a Santa Monica lot. The configuration depends on height rules for attached and detached ADUs, setbacks, coastal and historic status and alley access. We evaluate those first and design the combination that fits your lot.
Do I need a permit to rebuild a garage in Santa Monica?
Yes. Demolishing and rebuilding a garage requires permits from the City of Santa Monica and, depending on the property, coastal or historic review. We prepare the plans, handle the submittals and manage inspections through completion, so you are not left coordinating agencies yourself.
What makes a garage last near the ocean?
Material choices. Salt air corrodes standard fasteners, hinges and door hardware faster than inland air does. We specify corrosion-resistant hardware, well-flashed openings and durable exterior finishes, and we detail the slab and walls to keep moisture out, which extends the life of the structure and anything stored inside.
Start Your Project
Planning a New Garage 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]