Rental registration in Santa Monica, CA

One rule applies, with its citation below.

Research, not legal advice

These summaries are compiled from ordinance text and public sources and are dated at the point they were last checked. Rules change between checks — Newark replaced its whole registration regime in a single month — so confirm anything you are about to underwrite against the primary source or the municipal office named in the citation.

Santa Monica controlled units carry Rent Control registration records

Santa Monicahigh confidence

Verified on 2026-08-18 — 40 days ago.

Controlled rental units are registered with the Santa Monica Rent Control Agency, which records tenancy information and the Maximum Allowable Rent and assesses an annual registration fee.

Registration follows controlled-unit status. A property of three or fewer units can qualify for the owner-occupied exemption only through the programme's stated procedure; confirm historical occupancy and the Agency decision rather than treating future buyer intent as proof. Search the Agency's address and document portals for registered rent, ownership, exemptions, decisions and any unit-specific fee waiver. A missing online row is not proof that an older or converted unit is exempt.

Construction: Built before 1979
Owner-occupied exemption: Yes

Sources

Every rule for Santa Monica, CA