Los Angeles County / Santa Monica, CA
Home Builder & General Contractor in Santa Monica
KR Building & Remodeling Inc. builds new homes, second-story additions, remodels, and ADUs in Santa Monica. KR coordinates City of Santa Monica building permits and checks whether your property needs coastal zone approval.
- Permits through
- City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division
- Contractor
- CSLB #1127167, Sherman Oaks
Santa Monica is a small city with expensive land, so every square foot counts. Lots north of Montana Avenue are larger and hold some of the city's biggest single-family homes. In Sunset Park and Ocean Park, lots are tighter and houses sit closer together. Across the city, the goal is usually the same: more living space without giving up the yard, whether that means adding a floor, replacing the house entirely, or adding a second unit at the back.
Making the most of tight Westside lots
When the main house needs more room, a second-story addition keeps the footprint and the yard intact. Where an older house is not worth the investment, owners rebuild with new construction shaped to the zoning envelope, which on a narrow lot usually means two floors and a carefully placed garage. Santa Monica has its own standards for height, daylight planes, and parcel coverage, so KR tests the massing against those limits before design goes far. On a narrow Ocean Park or Sunset Park lot, a unit over or in place of the garage is still the cleanest way to add an ADU.
Coastal zone and the city's own process
The western part of Santa Monica lies within the California Coastal Zone. Depending on your location and the scope, a coastal development permit may be needed in addition to the building permit, and a full rebuild draws more review than a modest addition. Salt air near the beach also affects material choices, and we specify corrosion-resistant fasteners and durable windows and doors accordingly. KR confirms the coastal status of your parcel during feasibility.
Building or remodeling in Santa Monica?
Or call (603) 264-9370
Services in Santa Monica
What we build in Santa Monica
- A-101New Home Construction in Santa Monica
- A-102Home Additions in Santa Monica
- A-103ADU Construction in Santa Monica
- B-101Whole-Home Remodeling in Santa Monica
- B-102Kitchen Remodeling in Santa Monica
- C-103Windows & Doors in Santa Monica
- B-103Bathroom Remodeling in Santa Monica
- B-104Garage Conversions in Santa Monica
- B-105Interior Renovations in Santa Monica
FAQ
Santa Monica project FAQ
Can I add a second story to my Santa Monica home?
Many Santa Monica homes can add a second story within the city's height, daylight plane, and floor area limits. Those limits vary by zone, and some neighborhoods have tighter standards. KR models the addition against your zoning early so the design is permit-ready.
Can I tear down and build a new house in Santa Monica?
It is possible on many single-family lots, and it takes a demolition permit along with the building permit. The new house has to fit the zone's height, setback, and parcel coverage limits, and properties in the Coastal Zone or with historic status get added review. KR confirms which of those apply to your address before design.
Do I need a coastal permit to build an ADU in Santa Monica?
It depends on whether your property sits inside the Coastal Zone and what the project involves. Parts of western Santa Monica are in the zone, and some projects there need a coastal development permit in addition to building permits. KR checks your parcel before design starts.
Does Santa Monica follow LA City permit rules?
No. Santa Monica is a separate city with its own zoning ordinance and Building and Safety Division. LADBS and the City of Los Angeles standard ADU plans do not apply there.
Can I build an ADU above my garage in Santa Monica?
Often, yes, if the structure can support it and the design meets height and setback limits. State law sets baseline ADU height allowances, and local rules fill in the details. KR reviews the existing garage and your lot to see whether building over it or replacing it makes more sense.
Next Step / Site Visit
Start your Santa Monica project.
Share a few details about your property and project. We will follow up to talk through feasibility, scope, and next steps, and schedule a site visit for a written estimate.