Adaptive Reuse

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The City of Santa Monica is currently working on preparing a Adaptive Reuse Ordinance to bring new life into existing buildings. Adaptive reuse is one of the strategies identified in the City's certified 6th Cycle Housing Element to adress the City's housing needs while also providing a solution to rising vacancy trends of existing buildings. Adaptive reuse refers to the repurposing of an existing building and updating it for a new use. 

The Adaptive Reuse ordinance will establish a new adaptive reuse program, remove zoning and process barriers, and create new incentives to convert existing buildings to residential use.

News and Events

City Council Study Session - June 11, 2024
5:30 PM

The City Council held a study session to discuss and provide direction to City staff on implementation of the Housing Element's Phase 2 programs, which includes the adaptive reuse ordinance. Staff report and agenda (see item 7-A) is posted on City Council Agenda webpage

Technical Working Group Session #2 - June 5, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The City hosted a second virtual working group session to discuss strategies and potential amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to incentivize adaptive reuse of buildings to residential use. The discussion focused on the draft strategy for the ordinance and the waiver/reduction of development standards for adaptive reuse projects. Powerpoint presentation and video (coming soon) are posted below:

Planning Commission Study Session - May 8, 2024
6:00 PM 

The Planning Commission held a study session to discuss and provide direction to City staff on implementation of the Housing Element's Phase 2 programs, which includes the adaptive reuse ordinance. Staff report and agenda (see item 8-C) is posted on the Planning Commission agenda webpage.

Technical Working Group Session #1 - May 2, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The City hosted its technical working group session virtually to discuss strategies and potential amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to incentivize adaptive reuse of buildings to residential use. The focus of this first session was on process incentives. Presentation and video from the session can be accessed below:

Introductory Public Session

The City held an introductory public session on the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance on March 28, 2024. Presentation and video can be accessed below: