**CITY OF SANTA MONICA CLOSURE ADVISORY MESSAGE**
To protect the health and safety of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, City Hall and most public counters facilities are closed to the public until further notice. The Permit Services Center in City Hall East is open by appointment only with limited hours and services. To schedule an appointment click here.
The Finance Department continues to provide services during this time as most of our staff is working from home and can be reached as follows:
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Accounts Payable |
Billing & Water |
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Budget |
Business License & Performance Permits business.license@smgov.net 310.458.8745 |
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Payroll |
Procurement procurement@smgov.net 310.458.8241 |
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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
Permit Services Center is Open Effective May 3, 2021
Effective May 3, 2021: The Permit Services Center is open by appointment only with limited hours and services. Please click the link here to schedule an appointment. We are located at 1685 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401. Enter the building at the south entrance accessible from Olympic Dr. Check-in measures are in place to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. Please be sure to comply with the check-in measures when visiting the Permit Services Center while also wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distancing from others.
Measure SM - Increase in Documentary Transfer Tax for Essential Services
Measure SM was a ballot measure approved by voters at the November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election increasing the Documentary Transfer Tax on property transfers valued at $5 million or more to $6 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.
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.
Measure SM - Local Funding Measure for Essential Services
On November 3, 2020 Santa Monica voters passed Measure SM, which is a local funding measure to support essential City services. The measure will be effective on March 1, 2021. To read a summarized Information Sheet, 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.
FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget
On June 23, 2020, the City Council adopted a balanced budget for FY 2020-21 that is based on our City's longstanding values - accountability, equity, inclusion, innovation, resilience, safety, and stewardship. The Adopted Budget is $613.6 million in FY 2020-21. For more information, please view the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget.
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.