**EXPANDED CITY SERVICE HOURS AND HISTORIC CITY HALL DOORS REOPEN**
Santa Monica City Hall is located at 1685 Main Street and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and every other Friday. The Permit Services Center in City Hall East is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only. Services provided at the Permit Services Center include Business License, Performer Permits, and Billing and Water. To schedule an appointment click here.
Finance staff may also be reached by email or telephone as follows:
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Accounts Payable |
Billing & Water |
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Budget |
Business License & Performance Permits business.license@santamonica.gov 310.458.8745 |
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Payroll |
Procurement procurement@santamonica.gov 310.458.8281 |
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Treasury |
Risk Management |
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General Inquiries |
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In order to make deliveries you will need to call the main phone line for the appropriate department when you arrive at the location. Do not leave packages outside the front doors. Please find a comprehensive list of phone numbers here. You may find an updated list of all closures here.
Welcome to the City of Santa Monica Finance Department
The mission of the Finance Department is to provide sound business, financial and risk management support to internal and external customers, ensuring continuation of public services to the residents, visitors and businesses of Santa Monica through the protection of financial resources.
Santa Monica's geographic location and its diversified tax revenue base allows the local economy to weather fluctuations with minimal impact, protecting the City from downturns that impact one or a limited number of sectors of the economy. The City continues its long history of adopting balanced budgets and maintains healthy reserves to protect itself from shock losses. Prudent financial management has earned the City a AAA bond rating since 1995, and clean audits for over 30 years.
Headlines
FY 2023-25 Adopted Budget
On June 27, 2023, the City Council unanimously adopted a balanced biennial budget for FY 2023–25 focused on community priorities of a safe and clean Santa Monica, addressing homelessness, and an equitable and inclusive economic recovery. Adoption of the Biennial Budget comes as Santa Monica emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and cultivates a revitalized local economy that reflects and serves our diverse community. The adopted budget is $745 million in FY 2023-24 and $750.6 million in FY 2024-25. Learn more
Permit Services Center is Open
The Permit Services Center is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment. Please click the link here to schedule an appointment.
Measure GS - Increase in Documentary Transfer Tax for Schools, Homelessness Prevention, and Affordable Housing (Effective March 1, 2023)
On November 8, 2022 voters approved Measure GS, a ballot measure increasing the Documentary Transfer Tax on property transfers valued at $8 million or more to $56 per $1,000 transfer value. The measure does exempt certain affordable housing projects from the higher tier tax. For more information on how to calculate the tax or to apply for an exemption or refund, click here. To read the Measure in its entirety, click here.
Para leer información sobre la Iniciativa de Ley SM en Español, haga clic aquí.
Measure CS - Increase in Transient Occupancy Tax for Essential Services (Effective March 1, 2023)
On November 8, 2022 voters approved Measure CS, a ballot measure increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax, paid by overnight visitors, by 1% for hotels and motels, and by 3% for homeshares. To read the Measure in its entirety, click here.
Credit Card Convenience Fee
As of January 1, 2021, all credit/debit card transactions will incur a convenience fee charged by the processor of either 2.95% or between $1 and $3.50, depending on the transaction type. E-checks remain a no-cost alternative. Learn more
Development Impact Fees Report
For the purpose of compliance under the Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code 66000-66025), the following Development Impact Fees Report is presented for FY 2019-20. This Annual Report also provides the required annual reporting for the Child Care Linkage Fee per SMMC Section 9.65.090. Click here to read the report.
Compensation
Learn about what makes up Santa Monica pay and benefits, the City's compensation philosophy, and see a two-page snapshot and high level view of Santa Monica's pensions.
Sales Tax Rate
Santa Monica’s sales tax rate is 10.25%. The Sales Tax page shows more detail.
Transparency
Santa Monica is committed to transparent financial management. View the City's credit ratings, recent financial status updates, and additional financial data.