Demolition Contractors in Santa Monica, CA

Demolition contractors in Santa Monica have to plan for review time as much as work time. The city, incorporated in 1886 and home to 93,076 people in 2020, has a strong preservation culture. In 2018 the City Council adopted rules requiring that demolition applications for buildings more than 40 years old include a request for review of whether the property qualifies as a landmark or structure of merit, with 75 days for the Landmarks Commission and the public to review it. The city even publishes a data set of active demolition permits for buildings over 40 years old. Owners should treat that review as part of the schedule from day one.

Mostly renters, mostly multi-unit

Of 47,438 occupied units in 2020, 72.9 percent were renter-occupied. A lot of the demolition here involves duplexes, small apartment buildings and houses with rear units, and those come with tenant and rent-control questions that have to be answered before a permit is issued. We focus on the physical work and the demolition paperwork, and we encourage owners to sort out any tenant obligations with the city before setting a demolition date.

Green code expectations

Wikipedia notes that Santa Monica's green building code treats code-compliant construction as equivalent to LEED Silver. On the demolition side, that mindset shows up in how debris is handled. We separate concrete, metal, clean wood and other materials on site so as much as possible goes to recycling, and we keep receipts for the city's records.

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Small lots, careful staging

Santa Monica's land area is only about 8.4 square miles, and density is about 11,000 people per square mile. That means bins, trucks and equipment all compete for curb space. We plan staging before work begins and keep loading windows short so neighbors are not blocked in.

Working near the beach

Santa Monica has a coastal Mediterranean climate, about 12 inches of rain a year and roughly 310 days of sunshine. That makes it easy to work year-round, but sea breezes carry dust, so we keep debris wet and covered and clean the street each day. Narrow lots and tight parking mean trucks have to be timed, and we coordinate bin placement and any street use before work starts.

Required before demolition

A certified asbestos consultant must survey the building before demolition, and South Coast AQMD must be notified 10 working days ahead. Utilities are disconnected, the sewer capped, and the site fenced. For older buildings, the landmark review runs alongside all of this. Interior demolition that leaves the exterior alone can be a faster route for owners who want to renovate rather than replace. Call (213) 377-6198 to talk through your property.