Santa Barbara County Municipal Code Art. XV Special Problems Areas

A. Plans and specifications for the proposed grading, construction, addition to, or change in use of buildings and structures in a special problems area as defined in this article shall be submitted to the special problems committee, herein referred to as such, or as "the committee."

B. The directors or managers of the planning and development department, environmental health division of the public health department, fire department, and public works department shall designate representatives to serve as members of the committee.

(Ord. No. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)

For the purpose of this article, certain terms are defined as follows:

"Special problems areas" are areas of the County of Santa Barbara designated by resolution of the board of supervisors as having existing or anticipated special and unique problems pertaining to flooding, drainage, soils, geology, access, sewage disposal, water supply, location, or elevation which impact the health, safety and welfare of the public. The following locations are designated as special problems areas:

South County: Hollister Avenue at Modoc Road, Mission Canyon, Naples, Shepard Mesa, Summerland.

North County: Ballard, Janin Acres, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Sweeney Road.

"Special problems committee" is a committee composed of representatives of the following departments or divisions: planning and development, environmental health, fire, and public works.

(Ord. No. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)

A. The special problems committee shall review plans and specifications of buildings and structures (including the components of wastewater disposal systems) proposed for construction in a special problems area. Individual members of the committee may recommend to the county decision-makers any and all reasonable conditions of approval considered necessary to mitigate present or anticipated problems within the scope of the committee's charge, or to prevent damage to public or private property, risk of injury to persons, or creation of a public nuisance. Where an individual member or members are unable to identify feasible mitigation of such problems, damage, or risk, each may recommend denial of the permit that would authorize the construction of the proposed buildings or structures.

B. Upon completion of the committee's review of the plans and specifications, the recommendations of each individual committee member shall be documented in written form signed by the chairperson of the committee.

(Ord. No. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)

A fee as specified in the current adopted fee schedule shall be paid to the building division at the time of application for the processing of plans and specifications for buildings and structures proposed for construction in a special problems area. Such fee, or portion thereof, may be waived at the discretion of the building official based on the extent of work performed by building division staff.

(Ord. No. 5270, § 1, 11-18-2025)