Trespass Arrest Authorization- UPDATED PROCESS

February 10, 2024 7:04 AM

As a service to our property owners and managers, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Police Department maintains a system for filing trespass arrest authorization letters (“trespass letters”).  Trespass letters authorize SMPD officers to enforce trespassing laws without having the owner of the property or their agent present. Prior to January 1, 2024, owners of real property and their agents were required to submit the trespass letters every thirty days (occupied property) or six months (vacant property) through an online system.   

At the start of this year, California State Senate Bill 602 (Archuleta) changed the trespass letter requirements to increase the period for the trespass letter from 30 days to one year.  The bill further requires that all trespass letters be notarized prior to submission.  The form can be found at the following link or using the QR code below.    

We encourage all property owners to do the following:  

1. Print out and complete the trespass letter form for each unique address for which you are submitting an authorization.   https://santamonica.gov/media/Police/Trespass%20Arrest%20Authorization%20Form%20020824.pdf

2. Sign the form in the presence of a notary. 

3. Mail or personally deliver the original notarized form to the Santa Monica Police Department at 333 Olympic Drive (Special Operations Division) Santa Monica, CA 90401.   

NOTE:  For faster processing, the form can be scanned and emailed to HLPTeam@santamonica.gov.  The original must still be delivered to the Santa Monica Police Department. 

Media Contact

Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant
Erika.Aklufi@santamonica.gov

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Trespass Arrest Authorization Form
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