SM Public Counter Reopens City Offers In-Person Services by Appointment Starting May 3

By Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer

The City of Santa Monica has announced its public counter will offer in-person permit services by appointment on select days beginning next Monday, May 3.

The Permit Services' public counter in the new City Hall East (CHE), accessible from Olympic Drive, will be open Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The public counter is a one-stop hub for a range of services offered by the city's planning, building and safety divisions as well as the public works and finance departments.

"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."

City officials said all CHE public counters will offer the following services by appointment: mobility, civil engineering/public works, building & safety, zoning consultation/general planning questions, business license, performers' permits, tax payments and utility billing.

Virtual permitting services will also remain available during regular business hours, officials said.

In a press release, the city said its Building & Safety permit specialists will also be available by appointment Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Tuesday & Thursday are reserved for building permit issuance for projects that have completed the plan review process and fee payment only)

The city also announced Santa Monica Animal Shelter will re-open its doors for walk-in services beginning May 1. Adoptions will continue to be by appointment only.

To schedule an appointment at the permit services center, visit http://checkin.smgov.net. 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.

When visiting any city facility, face masks, and physical distancing are required, officials said. 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.