Venice Real Estate & Homes for Sale

Venice packs canals, pedestrian-only walk streets, beachfront buildings and century-old bungalows into a small coastal district of the City of Los Angeles, and nearly all of it lies in the California Coastal Zone. That makes Venice homes for sale some of the most regulation-sensitive property in the region, where what you can build or rent out matters as much as what stands on the lot today. Aimee Ghafouri of 951 Properties is available to help at (951) 331-8453.

From Abbot Kinney’s Resort to a Los Angeles Neighborhood

Developer Abbot Kinney opened Venice in 1905 as a seaside resort with canals and a pier. It was briefly its own city and was annexed by Los Angeles in 1926. Venice today is a neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles, not a separate municipality. The Los Angeles City Council, the Department of City Planning and the Department of Building and Safety make the decisions, and the Venice Neighborhood Council offers advisory input. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power supplies water and electricity, and public schools belong to the Los Angeles Unified School District. Santa Monica borders Venice on the north, Marina del Rey lies to the south and the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles is inland.

Sub-Areas and What Is Built There

• Venice Canals: the surviving historic canals south of Venice Boulevard, lined with houses on narrow lots that face the water and take vehicle access from rear alleys.
• Walk streets: blocks west of Lincoln Boulevard where homes front landscaped pedestrian paths in place of a street, again with alley parking.
• North Venice and Ocean Front Walk: older apartment buildings, condominiums and mixed-use property near the boardwalk.
• Oakwood and Milwood: bungalows, duplexes and newer architect-designed houses on a conventional street grid.
• Marina Peninsula: the strip south of Washington Boulevard between the ocean and the Grand Canal, with larger beachfront homes and condominium buildings.
• East of Lincoln: the Presidents Row streets and nearby blocks, mostly single-family houses on somewhat larger lots.

Coastal Permits and the Venice Specific Plan

Venice real estate is shaped by layers of land use rules. The Venice Coastal Zone Specific Plan sets height limits, density, setbacks and parking standards that vary by sub-area. Many projects, including demolitions, new houses and some additions, need a coastal development permit, and certain decisions can be appealed to the California Coastal Commission. The state’s Mello Act can restrict removing or converting existing housing in the Coastal Zone and may require replacement of affordable units. These reviews add time and uncertainty, so a buyer with building plans should consult a land use professional and the city planning department before removing contingencies.

Due Diligence for Buyers and Investors

1. Rent stabilization: the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance generally covers multi-unit properties built before October 1978. It limits rent increases and regulates evictions and tenant relocation. Review rent rolls and registration, and confirm current rules with the Los Angeles Housing Department.
2. Short-term rentals: the city’s home-sharing rules generally limit short-term rentals to a host’s registered primary residence and exclude rent-stabilized units. Do not assume vacation rental income.
3. Transfer taxes: the City of Los Angeles charges an additional transfer tax on sales above certain value thresholds. Ask your escrow officer how it applies.
4. Coastal hazards: much of Venice is low-lying. Review the natural hazard disclosure for flood, tsunami and liquefaction zones, and get flood insurance quotes.
5. Older construction: many bungalows date from the early 1900s. Check foundations, wiring, plumbing and whether additions and converted garages were permitted.
6. Parking and access: confirm the number of legal parking spaces, alley clearance and any street permit parking district.

Getting Around

Lincoln Boulevard, which is State Route 1, runs north and south through Venice, and Venice Boulevard and Washington Boulevard head inland. Interstate 10 is reached through Santa Monica, Interstate 405 lies to the east and the short Marina Freeway, State Route 90, begins just south. Metro and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus lines serve the area, the Metro E Line ends in downtown Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport is a short drive south. A beachfront bicycle path connects Venice with Santa Monica and Marina del Rey.

Selling a Home in Venice

Sellers should expect buyers and their advisers to examine entitlements closely. Pull the permit history, the certificate of occupancy and any coastal permits before listing, and state unit counts and parking exactly as city records show them. For tenant-occupied property, organize leases, rent registration and relocation history. Architecture and outdoor space photograph well here, but written details about lot dimensions, alley access and the sub-area’s development standards carry equal weight with serious buyers. Selling a home in Venice at the higher end also means accounting for the city transfer tax when estimating net proceeds.

Choosing a Venice Real Estate Agent

Aimee Ghafouri is a California-licensed agent (CAL DRE #02193341) based in Temecula who represents buyers, sellers and investors statewide. She grew up in Murrieta and brings a business degree and more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience to each transaction. Her approach centers on communication, dedication and serving others. To discuss working with a Venice real estate agent, visit the contact page or call (951) 331-8453.

Nearby Communities

• Santa Monica, the separate city on the northern border.
• Marina del Rey, the unincorporated harbor community to the south.
• Culver City, inland along Venice and Washington boulevards.
• Los Angeles, the city Venice belongs to.
• El Segundo, down the coast past the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Venice its own city?

No. Venice was annexed by Los Angeles in 1926 and is a neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles, which provides planning, building, police, fire and utility services.

Do I need a coastal permit to remodel in Venice?

Many projects in the Venice Coastal Zone require a coastal development permit, depending on scope and location. Confirm requirements with Los Angeles City Planning before buying with construction plans.

Can I use a Venice property as a short-term rental?

Los Angeles generally limits short-term rentals to a registered primary residence and excludes rent-stabilized units. Check the current home-sharing rules with the city before counting on that income.

Are houses for sale in Venice affected by rent stabilization?

Single houses on their own lots are generally treated differently from multi-unit properties, but duplexes and apartment buildings built before October 1978 are usually covered by the Los Angeles ordinance. Confirm the status of any specific property with the Los Angeles Housing Department.

How do I start looking at Venice homes for sale?

Call or text Aimee Ghafouri at (951) 331-8453 and tell her which part of Venice interests you, whether you plan to live in the property, rent it or build, and your budget. She can focus the search and line up the right questions for each listing.

Aimee Ghafouri, 951 Properties, CAL DRE #02193341. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.