Rules & Regulations

The City of Santa Monica sets the rules on Santa Monica State Beach. The big ones: no dogs on the sand, no fires, barbecues or portable stoves except in City-installed grills, no e-scooters on the beach bike path or the Pier, and no bounce houses, inflatables or generators on the beach. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. (9 a.m. on Sundays). City Public Service Officers have the final word on what the rules mean.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on Santa Monica State Beach. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Santa Monica Pier but not inside Pacific Park. See dogs for the details and the nearest legal dog beach.

Fires, Barbecues and Smoking

• Fires: making or using a fire, barbecue or portable stove, or burning charcoal, is banned in all City parks and on the beach, except in grills the City provides. That rules out beach bonfires.
• Smoking and vaping are not allowed on the wooden Santa Monica Pier or in Pacific Park. The Pier has designated smoking areas at beach level only.

Bikes and Scooters

• E-scooters are banned on the beach bike paths, the Pier, Ocean Front Walk, the Third Street Promenade and City parks including Palisades Park. You can be ticketed.
• Bikes belong on the bike path; walkers use the parallel pedestrian path. Bikes are allowed on the Pier. See bike path.

On the Sand

These come from the City's general beach rules:

• Do not use an area that is posted as closed.
• Do not set up on a spot someone has reserved with a City permit, and show your own permit if staff ask.
• No generators unless the Fire Marshal authorizes them.
• No inflatable structures (bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses), dunk tanks or carnival rides.
• Do not use light poles, railings, benches, signs, fences or public art as exercise equipment. Use the equipment built for it, such as Muscle Beach.
• Quiet hours: no loud music, amplified sound or instruments that disturb others from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday night through Saturday morning, and 10 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday.

Dunes

Restored dunes now cover nearly 20 percent of the sand. Thin metal posts and fiber rope mark them. Stay outside the lines so the native plants can take hold.

Courts, Classes and Permits

• Volleyball courts are first come, first served, with challenge rules after noon. See volleyball.
• Paid fitness classes, camps and training on the beach need a City permit, and cannot run between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Surf schools need a City surf instruction permit; instructors wear City-issued colored rash guards.
• Events and filming need a City-issued permit; the City handles beach permits through its Permits and Events pages and beach.permits@santamonica.gov.

Fishing

No license is needed to fish from the Santa Monica Pier, a public pier. Fishing from the beach needs a California license for anyone 16 or older. Size and bag limits apply everywhere. See fishing.

Water Safety

Swim near a staffed lifeguard tower and follow the lifeguards' instructions. Stay out of the water for at least 72 hours after rain and whenever LA County Public Health posts a warning. See swimming.

Where the Rules Come From

The beach rules are set by the City's Director of Community and Cultural Services under the Santa Monica Municipal Code, and violations can bring administrative citations. The full text is on the City's park rules page.