Santa Monica continues to lead the way in sustainable development with the launch of its new Mass Timber Accelerator
December 1, 2025 10:29 AM
by Peter Roquemore
Header image courtesy of Mad River Mass Timber.
If the phrase “mass timber,” means nothing to you… you’re not alone. But mass timber is quickly gaining popularity in the sustainable development community as a beautiful, fast, and sustainable alternative to traditional concrete and steel.
So what exactly is mass timber?
Mass timber refers to large engineered wood panels, often paired with engineered wood columns and beams, that’s most typically used in large-scale construction such as apartment buildings.
Mass timber is not new, but it’s beginning to recapture developers’ interest because of its potential to emit up to 40 percent less carbon than traditional building materials, while also decreasing construction time – and as a result, building costs. And it allows for beautiful, exposed wood aesthetic designs that are coming back in vogue.
As an additional plus, mass timber has inherently strong fire resistance; in a fire, the wood naturally develops an outer char layer, preserving and protecting the interior and maintaining structural integrity.
Many building codes allow taller buildings if they are built from mass timber. In 2021, California adopted changes to the International Building Code permitting an increase in the height of mass timber buildings – opening the possibility for developers and architects to take advantage of mass timber’s benefits in more projects.
As Santa Monica continues to work to meet its Housing Element goals and strategically encourage development – particularly in the Downtown core per the city’s new Realignment Plan – mass timber could offer a way to more quickly and sustainability build beautiful multi-family buildings.
Santa Monica was recently approached by The Softwood Lumberboard and USDA-Forest Service’s Accelerator Cities Program about launching a mass timber pilot program.
In partnership with the American Institute of Architects – Los Angeles, or AIA-LA, the city is now standing up the Mass Timber Accelerator, a year-long pilot program for developers interested in exploring the use of mass timber. Applications are now open.
Participants will receive free technical assistance from WoodWorks to support them in integrating mass timber into project designs for a building in Santa Monica. They will also receive a financial incentive for completing the accelerator program, with incentives ranging from $20,000 to more than $50,000, depending on the agreed-upon accelerator deliverables.
The Mass Timber Accelerator program will also help developers and city staff better understand mass timber’s potential, including:
- Identifying the potential for cost savings and shorter construction timelines
- Connecting design teams and City stakeholders interested in advancing the use of mass timber
- Identifying opportunities to incorporate mass timber into new building and infrastructure projects in Santa Monica
- Assessing workforce capacity and identifying the potential for job creation in the mass timber industry
- Drawing attention to its carbon reduction potential, economic benefits, and aesthetic beauty.
The Softwood Lumber Board and USDA Forest Service awarded Santa Monica a $100,000 grant for the accelerator, and the city’s Office of Sustainability contributed an additional $15,000, for a total program budget of $115,000. A similar program is being set up in Portland, Oregon, which, like Santa Monica, has been a leader in sustainable design and construction for decades.
How to apply to the Mass Timber Accelerator program
The city is accepting applications from interested developers now through Feb. 27, 2026. View the mass timber webpage or the Mass Timber Application Guide for more information on the program and applying.
Authored By
Peter Roquemore
Sustainability Analyst