Chapter 18C — ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES›Article I — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Sec. 21-40. - Individual sewage systems.
Santa Barbara County Planning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-09 · Santa Barbara County
In all cases where sewage disposal is to be by individual systems, in order to determine appropriate conditions to prescribe, each proposed subdivision shall be considered on its own merits. Such factors as lot size, usable lot area, topography, degree of saturation of the soil, location of the underground water table, the general soil and rock structure and geology with results of percolation and other tests, the proximity of nearby domestic water supplies, and all other pertinent factors shall be considered. Accepted sanitary engineering principals shall be employed. Industry standards may be used as guides. Among other conditions, some or all of the following may be prescribed as are deemed appropriate on the basis of known factors affecting the proposed subdivision:
(a)
Creation and use of lots or building sites may be prohibited on all or certain parts of proposed subdivisions unless connected to an approved community sewage system.
(b)
Various types of percolation tests, including "drywell" type tests or "leach line" tests, or both, may be required at locations, depths, and in numbers and under specific conditions prescribed by the county health officer. Either a tentative subdivision map or other maps may be required to show the location of such percolation tests and reports on each test may be required in writing from a registered civil engineer performing such tests.
(c)
The use of community septic tank systems may be prohibited in any case where there is danger of flooding or where adequate provisions for maintenance thereof cannot reasonably be made.
(d)
No lot shall be considered an approved building site where the installation of an individual sewage disposal system of special design has been proposed unless such installation has been first approved by the environmental health division of the public health department.
(e)
The subdivision/development review committee may require special systems to be designed by a consulting engineer who qualifies as an expert in the field of sanitary engineering.
(f)
Formation of a district or other public agency, having owners appropriate to completely handle community sewage disposal and treatment may be required in all cases where a private sewage company is to handle the community sewage disposal system in order to provide for sewage disposal in the event of business or other failure of the private company or the existence of an emergency beyond the capabilities or capacities of the private company.
(Ord. No. 1722, pt. 7, § 2: Ord. No. 4436, § 23)
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — Santa Barbara County Planning Code
- Chapter 9A — BRUSH REMOVAL, SOUTHEASTERLY COASTAL AREA AND COA…
▸Chapter 18C — ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Overview▸Article I — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Overview- Sec. 21-1. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-2. - Title.
- Sec. 21-3. - Authority and purpose.
- Sec. 21-4. - Applicability of article.
- Sec. 21-5. - Prohibitions.
- Sec. 21-6. - Discretionary decision-maker jurisdiction and des…
- Sec. 21-7. - Submission of tentative maps including tentative …
- Sec. 21-8. - Form of tentative map including tentative parcel …
- Sec. 21-9. - Form of final map and parcel map.
- Sec. 21-10. - Submission of final maps and parcel maps.
- Sec. 21-11. - Submission of maps of dedicating streets.
- Sec. 21-12. - Filing agreements and bonds covering streets.
- Sec. 21-13. - Other bonds.
- Sec. 21-14. - Agreements—Construction of improvements.
- Sec. 21-15. - Reserved for future legislation.
- Sec. 21-16. - Surveys and monuments and survey procedure.
- Sec. 21-17. - Improvements required.
- Sec. 21-18. - Compliance with division.
- Sec. 21-19. - Blocks.
- Sec. 21-20. - Streets and highways.
- Sec. 21-21. - Reserve strips.
- Sec. 21-22. - Alleys.
- Sec. 21-23. - Rights-of-way.
- Sec. 21-24. - Lots.
- Sec. 21-25. - Planned development and open space subdivisions.
- Sec. 21-26. - Parks, schools, etc.
- Sec. 21-27. - Proposed change of uses not permitted by zoning.
- Sec. 21-28. - Preservation of natural features.
- Sec. 21-29. - Fire hydrants.
- Sec. 21-30. - Provision for utilities.
- Sec. 21-31. - Modification.
- Sec. 21-32. - Increase in setbacks for drainage.
- Sec. 21-33. - Intent of division.
- Sec. 21-34. - Community water systems.
- Sec. 21-35. - Permits.
- Sec. 21-36. - Engineering check.
- Sec. 21-37. - Where no community water system.
- Sec. 21-38. - Purpose of division.
- Sec. 21-39. - Community sewage systems.
- Sec. 21-40. - Individual sewage systems.
- Sec. 21-41. - Engineering check.
- Sec. 21-42. - Purpose.
- Sec. 21-43. - Objectives.
- Sec. 21-44. - Special definitions.
- Sec. 21-45. - Procedure.
- Sec. 21-46. - Special grading and landscaping provisions.
- Sec. 21-47. - Special fire prevention and suppression provisio…
- Sec. 21-48. - Special sewage disposal provisions.
- Sec. 21-49. - Special water supply provisions.
- Sec. 21-50. - Special road provisions.
- Sec. 21-51. - Alley.
- Sec. 21-52. - Arterial road.
- Sec. 21-53. - Boundary street.
- Sec. 21-54. - Collector street.
- Sec. 21-55. - Commercial street.
- Sec. 21-56. - Expressway.
- Sec. 21-57. - Freeway.
- Sec. 21-58. - Frontage road.
- Sec. 21-59. - Hillside residential street.
- Sec. 21-60. - Industrial street.
- Sec. 21-61. - Major road.
- Sec. 21-62. - Primary residential street.
- Sec. 21-63. - Residential cul-de-sac street.
- Sec. 21-64. - Residential loop street.
- Sec. 21-65. - Rural residential street.
- Sec. 21-66. - Secondary residential street.
- Sec. 21-67. - Split-level street.
- Sec. 21-68. - Building and zoning permits.
- Sec. 21-69. - Voidability of conveyances.
- Sec. 21-70. - Enforcement, legal procedures, and penalties.
- § 21-71
- Sec. 21-72. - Findings of fact.
- Sec. 21-73. - Applicability of division.
- Sec. 21-74. - Drainage facilities additional.
- Sec. 21-75. - Fees when drainage element adopted.
- Sec. 21-76. - Use of fees.
- Sec. 21-77. - Credit to subdivider.
- Sec. 21-90. - Filing lot line adjustments for record.
- Sec. 21-91. - Application and fees.
- Sec. 21-92. - Procedure.
- Sec. 21-93. - Findings required for approval of a lot line adj…
- Sec. 21-94. - Notice and appeals.
- Sec. 21-95. - Recording of lot line adjustments without approv…
- Sec. 21-96. - Penalties for violations.
- Sec. 21-100. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-101. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-102. - Adoption of park and recreation dedications and…
- Sec. 21-103. - Applicability of park and recreation facility d…
- Sec. 21-104. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-105. - Amount of fee in lieu of land dedication.
- Sec. 21-106. - Land dedication formula.
- Sec. 21-107. - Choice and method of dedication of land and/or …
- Sec. 21-108. - Improvements to land dedicated for park and rec…
- Sec. 21-109. - Credit for recreational improvements within com…
- Sec. 21-110. - Conveyance of land.
- Sec. 21-111. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-112. - Use of fees and dedicated land.
- Sec. 21-113. - Local agencies.
- Sec. 21-114. - Limitation on use of land and fees.
- Sec. 21-115. - Automatic annual adjustments.
- Sec. 21-116. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-117. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-118. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-119. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-120. - Publication.
- § 21-122
- Sec. 21-123. - Purpose.
- Sec. 21-124. - Objectives.
- Sec. 21-125. - Procedures and standards.
- Sec. 21-126. - Definitions and application.
- Sec. 21-127. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-128. - Prohibition of conversion of mobilehome rental …
- Sec. 21-129. - Reserved.
- Sec. 21-130. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-131. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-132. - Adoption of public administration facility deve…
- Sec. 21-133. - Applicability of fees.
- Sec. 21-134. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-135. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-136. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-137. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-138. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-139. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-140. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-141. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-142. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-143. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-144. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-145. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-146. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-147. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-148. - Publication.
- Sec. 21-149. - Reserved.
- Sec. 21-150. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-151. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-152. - Adoption of library facility development impact…
- Sec. 21-153. - Applicability of fees.
- Sec. 21-154. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-155. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-156. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-157. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-158. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-159. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-160. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-161. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-162. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-163. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-164. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-165. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-166. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-167. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-168. - Publication.
- Sec. 21-169. - Reserved. Division 3. - Sheriff Facility Develo…
- Sec. 21-170. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-171. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-172. - Adoption of sheriff facility development impact…
- Sec. 21-173. - Applicability of fees.
- Sec. 21-174. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-175. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-176. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-177. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-178. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-179. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-180. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-181. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-182. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-183. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-184. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-185. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-186. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-187. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-188. - Publication.
- Sec. 21-189. - Reserved.
- Sec. 21-190. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-191. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-192. - Adoption of C/I park and recreational facility …
- Sec. 21-193. - Applicability of fees.
- Sec. 21-194. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-195. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-196. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-197. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-198. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-199. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-200. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-201. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-202. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-203. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-204. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-205. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-206. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-207. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-208. - Publication.
- Sec. 21-300. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-301. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-302. - Adoption of commercial and industrial park and …
- Sec. 21-303. - Applicability of fees.
- Sec. 21-304. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-305. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-306. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-307. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-308. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-309. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-310. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-311. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-312. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-313. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-314. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-315. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-316. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-317. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-318. - Publication.
- Sec. 21-325. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-326. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-327. - Adoption of library facility development impact…
- Sec. 21-328. - Applicability of fees.
- Sec. 21-329. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-330. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-331. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-332. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-333. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-334. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-335. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-336. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-337. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-338. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-339. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-340. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-341. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-342. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-343. - Publication.
- Sec. 21-350. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-351. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-352. - Adoption of public administration facility deve…
- Sec. 21-353. - Applicability of fees.
- Sec. 21-354. - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-355. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-356. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-357. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-358. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-359. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-360. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-361. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-362. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-363. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-364. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-365. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-366. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-367. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-368. - Publication.
- Sec. 21-375. - Findings.
- Sec. 21-376. - Definitions.
- Sec. 21-377. - Adoption of sheriff facility development impact…
- Sec. 21-378. - Applicability of Fees.
- Sec. 21-379 - Exemptions.
- Sec. 21-380. - Timing of fee payment.
- Sec. 21-381. - Fee adjustments.
- Sec. 21-382. - Fee reduction for beneficial projects.
- Sec. 21-383. - Fee account.
- Sec. 21-384. - Use of funds.
- Sec. 21-385. - Developer construction of facilities.
- Sec. 21-386. - Condition for refunds.
- Sec. 21-387. - Annual report.
- Sec. 21-388. - Automatic annual adjustment.
- Sec. 21-389. - Fee revision by resolution.
- Sec. 21-390. - Superseding provisions.
- Sec. 21-391. - Severability.
- Sec. 21-392. - Effective date.
- Sec. 21-393. - Publication.
- § 35.10
- § 35.12
- Chapter 35.14 — ZONING MAP
- Chapter 35.23 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
- Chapter 35.31 — QUALIFYING HOUSING STREAMLINED REVIEW
- Chapter 35.36 — PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS
- Chapter 35.37 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 35.84 — POST APPROVAL PROCEDURES
- Chapter 35.86 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 35.89 — MOBILEHOME PARK CLOSURE
- Chapter 35.108 — ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
- Chapter 35.424 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
- Chapter 35.425 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES
- Chapter 35.434 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
- Chapter 35.472 — PERMIT REVIEW AND DECISIONS
- Chapter 35.474 — POST APPROVAL PROCEDURES
- Chapter 35.476 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS