New Legislation Extends the Validity Period to One Year and Mandates Notarization
In an effort to assist property owners and managers, the City of Santa Monica, in conjunction with the Santa Monica Police Department, facilitates the filing of trespass arrest authorization letters, commonly known as “trespass letters.” These letters grant SMPD officers the authority to enforce trespassing laws even in the absence of the property owner or their designated representative.
Previously, until January 1, 2024, owners and agents were required to submit these letters every thirty days for occupied properties and every six months for vacant ones through an online system.
Beginning this year, a significant change has been introduced with the enactment of California State Senate Bill 602 (Archuleta). The bill extends the validity period of the trespass letter from 30 days to one year. Moreover, it mandates that all trespass letters must be notarized before submission. The official form can be accessed here or via the QR code provided below.
Property owners are encouraged to follow these steps:
- Print and complete the trespass letter form for each unique address requiring authorization.
- Sign the form in the presence of a notary.
- Mail or personally deliver the original notarized form to the Santa Monica Police Department at 333 Olympic Drive (Special Operations Division), Santa Monica, CA 90401.
For expedited processing, property owners have the option to scan and email the form to HLPTeam@santamonica.gov. However, it’s essential to note that the original notarized document must still be physically delivered to the Santa Monica Police Department. These changes aim to streamline the submission process and ensure efficient handling of trespass authorization letters.
