In Santa Monica, the roof can be a matter for the Landmarks Commission.
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Rather talk now? Call (818) 934-0075
If the roof still has good years left, the report tells you.
Roof replacement and free written roof inspections across Santa Monica. The median home in the city was built in 1968, and about one in seven went up before 1940. The city keeps a list of more than 130 landmarks, and its northern edge was redrawn on the 2025 fire hazard maps.
Deck, underlayment, then shingles or tile. The underlayment keeps the water out, and you can only check it from up on the roof.
What we check on a Santa Monica roof
Landmark or district?
Santa Monica has designated landmarks and historic districts from the Third Street Neighborhood in Ocean Park to the 11th Street Bungalows north of Wilshire. Exterior work on those properties can need a Certificate of Appropriateness before it starts.
The northern edge was remapped
The 2025 state maps enlarged the fire hazard zones along the city’s northern limits. If your address is inside the Very High zone, the roof has to be Class A, and the report says which zone you are in.
Old framing under a newer roof
A house built in the 1920s or 30s has usually been re-roofed several times. We look at the sheathing, the rafter tails and the eaves, because that is where decades of layers and patches show up first.
Before the rain in Santa Monica
Old houses near the beach, newer fire maps up north.
Below the Palisades burn area
In January 2025 the Palisades Fire put homes north of San Vicente Boulevard under an evacuation order. Gutters and roof valleys on that edge of the city are worth clearing of ash and debris before the first storm.
Pre-war houses
About one Santa Monica home in seven was built before 1940. On those roofs the eaves and the old sheathing deserve a look in the fall, not after a leak stains the ceiling.
Shaded north slopes
Morning fog keeps the shady side of a roof damp long after the sun is out. Moss and debris there hold water against the roof right when the rain arrives.
Before the first big storm: book the free roof check, or read our winter storm roof guide.
From our roofs
Recent MAMOS roofing work: shingle re-roofs, flat ADU roofs and tile.
The rules that apply to a Santa Monica roof
Santa Monica runs its own building department, separate from Los Angeles.
Re-roofs are permitted by the City of Santa Monica on a single-trade application and qualify for same-day review at the counter. Quick, but still a permit.
Landmarks, Structures of Merit and buildings in a historic district go through the Landmarks Commission for exterior alterations.
The city added the new state fire hazard map to its municipal code. Inside the Very High zone, a re-roof must be Class A.
We get on the roof, photograph what we find and write it up.
Get my free reportBefore the roof comes off, know what the city will ask.
A landmark, a district or a fire zone each change the paperwork. Our written report, with dated photographs, tells you which of them apply to your address and what the roof itself needs.
or earlier: the build date of 13.5 percent of Santa Monica’s housing, about one home in seven, by the Census count. More than a third of the city went up before 1960.
Roof questions in Santa Monica
Repair or replace?
Usually the underlayment decides it, and you have to get on the roof to check that. The report gives you the answer, with photos.
What does a new roof change for my insurer?
Most letters name roof age. The permit and completion papers show the new roof’s date; what the carrier does with them is its decision.
My house is old. Does that make it a landmark?
No. Age alone does not do it; a property is designated by the city, and the list is public. We check your address against the landmarks and historic districts before we write the scope, so there are no surprises at the permit counter.
Find out what your roof needs, and what the city needs from you.
The report gives you roof age, remaining life and condition in writing, plus landmark, district and fire zone status. The answer may be a replacement, or a repair and a few more years.
“Mamos did a beautiful job renovating my new kitchen. They were patient, passionate, and attentive. They listened to my all of my personal preferences and installed beautiful new cabinets and granite countertops. Couldn’t be happier.”
HADAS M. · YELP
Request your report
Remaining roof life, landmark and fire zone status, and what the permit will involve. We call back within 15 minutes: 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 2pm Friday.
Got it.
Rather talk? Call (818) 934-0075.
We call or text you about this request only. Your details are never sold or shared.
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