> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# A ‘substantial remodel’
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/a-substantial-remodel/
- Published: 2004-02-09T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:45:07.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

Officials last week said remodeling should be easier.

To help encourage remodels in Santa Monica, the Planning Commission agreed the current laws need to be relaxed. Specifically, they discussed changing what’s allowed before a remodel is considered “substantial.”

Once substantial, a remodel is subject to the same codes and regulations that govern complete tear-downs and new construction. That means stricter development standards, including requirements for setbacks and parking.

But that wasn’t the only reason the Planning Commission held a special workshop on the issue, commissioners said.

“Clarity is a big thing to me,” said Planning Commissioner Barbara Brown. “Even if we were not going to amend this particular code section substantively, it would need to be fixed grammatically, and fixed for interior coherence and so forth. It’s really pretty awful...”

Here is the current definition: Section 9.04.02.030-825 “A substantial remodel involves the removal, in whole or part, of a structure. A structure shall be deemed to have been substantially remodeled or demolished if at least 50 percent of exterior walls have been removed or relocated for any duration of time. A substantially remodeled or demolished structure shall lose any legal, non-conforming status which it may have had and may only be replaced or rebuilt if the entire structure is made to conform to all current, applicable zoning code requirements, including, but not limited to, setbacks, height and parking.

“In determining whether a project is a substantial remodel, a wall shall be deemed to be demolished if the structural supporting members (columns, two-by-fours, or other such elements) of the wall have been removed or are no longer attached to the foundation. The roof structure must also be retained unless the roof line is being modified or additional floors are being added, in which case the roof structure may be removed.

“Demolition and new construction shall mean the same as substantial remodel as defined above.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 9, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020904.pdf?ref=smdp.com)