§ 35.422 — Santa Barbara County Planning Code

35.422.010 - Purpose ¶

This Chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the Resource Protection zone established by Section 35.404.020 (Zoning Map and Zones), determines the type of planning permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

35.422.020 - Purpose of the Resource Protection Zone ¶

A.

Applicability. The Resource Management Zone (RMZ) is applied to protect lands that are unsuited for intensive development and that have:

1.

Slopes in excess of 40 percent; or

2.

Valleys surrounded by slopes exceeding 40 percent; or

3.

Isolated table land surrounded by slopes exceeding 40 percent; or

4.

Areas with outstanding resource values, including environmentally sensitive habitats and/or watersheds.

B.

Intent. The intent is to limit development because of extreme fire hazards, minimum services, and/or environmental constraints, and to encourage the preservation of these areas for uses including grazing, scientific and educational study, and limited residential uses.

35.422.030 - Resource Protection Zone Allowable Land Uses

A.

General permit requirements. Table 2-1 (Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Resource Protection Zone) identifies the uses of land allowed by this Development Code in the Resource

Management Zone, and the planning permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 35.420.030 (Allowable Development and Planning Permit Requirements).

B.

Requirements for certain specific land uses. Where the last column ("Specific Use Regulations") in Table 2- 1 (Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Resource Protection Zone) includes a Section number, the referenced Section may affect whether the use requires a Land Use Permit, Development Plan, or Conditional Use Permit, and/or may establish other requirements and standards applicable to the use.

C.

Development Plan approval required. Final Development Plan approval in compliance with Section 35.472.080 (Development Plans) is required prior to the approval of a Land Use Permit in compliance with Section 35.472.110 (Land Use Permits) or the issuance of an Exemption in compliance with Section 35.420.040 (Exemptions from Planning Permit Requirements) or a Zoning Clearance in compliance with Section 35.472.190 (Zoning Clearances) for all development, including grading, except for:

1.

Solar energy energy systems allowed in compliance with Section 35.430.160 (Solar Energy Systems).

D.

Design Review required. Design Review may be required prior to the approval of a planning permit for a structure, or an addition to or an alteration of, an existing structure in compliance with Section 35.472.070 (Design Review).

E.

Accessory Structures and Uses. Accessory structures and uses that are customarily incidental to the primary use allowed by Table 2-1 (Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Resource Protection Zone) are not allowed except as follows:

1.

Accessory Dwelling Units. Accessory dwelling units approved in compliance with Section 35.442.015 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units).

2.

Junior Accessory dwelling Units. Junior accessory dwelling units allowed in compliance with Section 35.442.015 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units).

3.

Swimming Pools and Water Storage Tanks. Swimming pools and water storage tanks shall be approved or conditionally approved as accessory structures in compliance with Section 35.472.080 (Development Plans).

Solar energy systems. Solar energy systems allowed in compliance with Section 35.430.160 (Solar Energy Systems).

Table 2-1 Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Resource Protection Zone	E Allowed use, no permit required (Exempt) P Permitted use, Land Use Permit required (2) CUP Conditional Use Permit required S Permit determined by Specifc Use Regulations — Use Not Allowed	E Allowed use, no permit required (Exempt) P Permitted use, Land Use Permit required (2) CUP Conditional Use Permit required S Permit determined by Specifc Use Regulations — Use Not Allowed
LAND USE (1)	PERMIT REQUIRED BY ZONE	Specifc Use
	RMZ	Regulations
AGRICULTURAL, MINING & ENERGY FACILITIES
Animal keeping	S	35.442.040
Aquaculture	CUP
Cannabis - Cultivation and microbusiness	—
Cultivated agriculture, orchard, vineyard, new	CUP
Cultivated agriculture, orchard, vineyard, historic legal use	CUP
Grazing	E
Mining	CUP	35.472.140
RECREATION, EDUCATION & PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
Education or research facility, limited	CUP
Meeting facility, religious	CUP
Rural recreation	CUP
School	CUP
Spa, Natural	CUP	35.442.170
RESIDENTIAL
Accessory dwelling unit	S	35.442.015
Guesthouse	P	35.442.120
Home occupation	P	35.442.130
Dwelling, one-family	P
Farmworker dwelling unit	P	35.442.105
Farmworker dwelling complex	CUP	35.442.105
Junior accessory dwelling unit	S	35.442.015
Residential accessory uses and structures	P	35.422.030.E
Special care home, 7 or more clients	CUP	35.442.070
Supportive housing	S	35.442.185
Transitional housing	S	35.442.185
SERVICES
Large family day care home, serving adults	P	35.442.070

Large family day care home, serving children	E (3)	35.442.070
Small family day care home, serving adults	E	35.442.070
Small family day care home, serving children	E (3)	35.442.070
Day care center, accessory to non-dwelling	CUP (4)	35.442.070
Day care center, accessory to dwelling	CUP	35.442.070
Day care center, principal use	CUP (4)	35.442.070
Lodging - Homestay	—
Lodging - Short-term rental	—

Key to Zone Symbols

RMZ Resource Management

Notes:

(1) See Division 35.10 (Glossary) for land use definitions.

(2) Development Plan approval may also be required; see Subsection 35.422.030.C (Development Plan approval required).

(3) A change of use to a large or small family day care home, serving children, is exempt from zoning permits. An application to construct a new structure to be used as a large or small family day care home, serving children, is subject to the same standards and permit requirements as a proposal to construct a residential structure in the same zone.

(4) Day care centers serving up to and including fifty (50) children may be permitted with a Land Use Permit in compliance with Section 35.472.110 (Land Use Permits).

Table 2-1 - Continued Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Resource Protection Zone	E Allowed use, no permit required (Exempt) P Permitted use, Land Use Permit required (2) CUP Conditional Use Permit required S Permit determined by Specifc Use Regulations — Use Not Allowed	E Allowed use, no permit required (Exempt) P Permitted use, Land Use Permit required (2) CUP Conditional Use Permit required S Permit determined by Specifc Use Regulations — Use Not Allowed
LAND USE (1)	PERMIT REQUIRED BY ZONE	Specifc Use
	RMZ	Regulations
TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE
Cannabis - Distribution	—
Electrical substation - Minor (3)	CUP
Electrical substation - Major (3)	CUP
Electrical transmission line (4)	CUP
Private services and utilities	CUP
Public works and utilities	CUP

Telecommunications facility	S	35.444
WATER SUPPLY & WASTEWATER FACILITIES
Onsite wastewater treatment system, individual, alternative	CUP
Onsite wastewater treatment system, individual, conventional	E
Onsite wastewater treatment system, individual, supplemental	E
Reservoir	CUP
Wastewater treatment facility, less than 200 connections	CUP
Water or sewer system pump or lift station	CUP
Water system with 1 connection	E
Water system with 2 or more connections	CUP
Water well, agricultural	E

Key to Zone Symbols

RMZ Resource Management

Notes:

(1) See Division 35.10 (Glossary) for land use definitions.

(2) Development Plan approval may also be required; see Subsection 35.422.030.C (Development Plan approval required).

(3) Shall comply with the requirements of the PU zone; see Table 2-11 (Special Purpose Zones Development Standards) and Section 35.425.050 (PU Zone Standards).

(4) Does not include electrical transmission lines outside the jurisdiction of the County.

(Ord. No. 5169, § 2, 11-29-2022; Ord. No. 5203, § 1, 2-13-2024)

35.422.040 - Resource Protection Zone Lot Standards

Each subdivision and residential development shall comply with the following minimum lot area and building site requirements for the applicable zone.

Minimum lot size. Each lot in a proposed subdivision shall comply with the minimum gross lot area requirements in Table 2-2 (Minimum Lot Area/Building Site Area). Minimum lot width and depth shall be determined by the review authority through the subdivision approval process.

Minimum building site area for residential use. Each primary dwelling shall be located on a lot with the minimum gross area shown in Table 2-2 (Minimum Lot Area/Building Site Area). A dwelling and its accessory structures and uses may also be located on a smaller existing legal lot, except for a fraction lot.

Table 2-2 - Minimum Lot Area/Building Site Area

Zoning Map Symbol	Minimum Gross Lot Area
RMZ-40	40 acres
RMZ-100	100 acres
RMZ-320	320 acres
RMZ-640	640 acres

35.422.050 - Resource Protection Zone Development Standards ¶

Development Standards. Development within the Resource Management Zone shall be designed, constructed, and established in compliance with the requirements in Table 2-3 (Resource Protection Zone Development Standards) and all applicable standards in Division 35.3 through Division 35.6 of this Development Code.

Table 2-3 - Resource Protection Zone Development Standards

Development Feature	Requirement by Zone
	RMZ - Resource Management
Residential density	Maximum number of dwelling units allowed on a lot. The actual number of units allowed will be determined through subdivision or planning permit approval.
Maximum density	One one-family dwelling per lot; plus one accessory dwelling unit or one junior accessory dwelling unit per lot where allowed in compliance with Section 35.442.015 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units).
Setbacks	Minimum setbacks required. See Section 35.430.150 (Setback Requirements and Exceptions) for exceptions.
Front - Primary	50 ft from road centerline and 20 ft from edge of right-of-way.
Front - Secondary	Lot less than 100 ft wide - 20% of lot width - 10 ft minimum Lot 100 ft wide or more - Same as primary front setback.
Side and Rear	20 ft
Building separation	10 ft
Height limit	Maximum allowable height of structures. See Section 35.430.090 (Height Measurement, Exceptions and Limitations) for height limit exceptions.

Maximum height	25 ft
Landscaping	See Chapter 35.434 (Landscaping Standards).
Parking	See Chapter 35.436 (Parking and Loading Standards).
Signs	See Chapter 35.438 (Sign Standards).

35.422.060 - Resource Protection Zone Findings for Project Approval ¶

The approval of a Conditional Use Permit in the Resource Protection Zone shall require that the review authority first make the findings in Subsection 35.472.060.E (Findings required for approval of Conditional Use Permits other than Conditional Use Permit applications submitted in compliance with Chapter 35.438 (Sign Standards)).

CHAPTER 35.423 - RESIDENTIAL ZONES