City Public Counter Now Offering In-Person Services by Appointment

April 26, 2021 1:55 PM

Beginning Monday, May 3, the City of Santa Monica’s Permit Services Center public counter will offer in-person services by appointment on select days. The public counter is a one-stop hub for a range of services offered by the City Planning division, Building and Safety division, Mobility division, the Public Works Department, and the Finance Department for utility and other payments. The Santa Monica Animal Shelter will also re-open its doors for walk-in services beginning May 1. Adoptions continue to be by appointment only.

“We look forward to welcoming residents and customers back to our new streamlined public counter to conduct business safely by appointment,” said Acting Assistant City Manager Susan Cline. “As we continue to make progress in our recovery, we’ll continue to expand in-person services in the months to come. Book an appointment and our dedicated team looks forward to assisting you!”

For the public counter in the new City Hall East (CHE), accessible from Olympic Drive, the following services are available during the hours listed by appointment. Virtual permitting services will also remain available during regular business hours.

All CHE Permit Services Center public counters: Monday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This includes mobility, civil engineering/public works, building & safety, zoning consultation/general planning questions, business license, performers permits, tax payments, and utility billing.

Building & Safety Permit Specialists: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. by appointment (Tuesday & Thursday is for building permit issuance for projects that have completed the plan review process and fee payment only)

Closed Friday – Sunday

To schedule an appointment, visit https://checkin.smgov.net/qmaticwebbooking/#/ on the web or your mobile device and follow the prompts to select a service date and time. For more information, including instructions for a safe experience when you visit the public counter, visit https://www.smgov.net/Departments/PCD/Permits/Permit-Services-Center.

The public counters have been operational in a virtual environment since the beginning of the pandemic and will continue to be available if you prefer to do your business remotely. For more information about the services offered online, please visit: https://www.smgov.net/Departments/PCD/Virtual-Services/Virtual-Services/

When visiting any City facility, face masks, and physical distancing are required. Members of the public should not come for City in-person services if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or under a quarantine or isolation order. Public spaces will provide instructions for safe distancing, but the public’s support in being mindful of COVID-19 best practices, including frequently washing hands and using hand sanitizer, is appreciated. If you require any special disability-related accommodations, please contact the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator Mirna Medina at 310.434.2605 or ADACoordinator@smgov.net, at least 3 days prior to your scheduled appointment.

This is an expansion of the City’s in-person services now that we are in the Orange Tier of our recovery from COVID-19. Additional services will be announced in the weeks to come in accordance with Los Angeles County Public Health guidelines.

###

Media Contact

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov

Departments

City Manager's Office