Santa Barbara County Municipal Code Ch. 35.34 Landscaping Standards

This Chapter establishes requirements for landscaping to enhance the appearance of development, provide shade, reduce heat and glare, control soil erosion, conserve water, screen potentially incompatible land uses, enhance the quality of neighborhoods, improve air quality and improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic and safety.

The provisions of this Chapter apply to new, existing, and future development and land uses. The standards apply countywide unless otherwise indicated.

A. Landscape plans required. Landscape plans shall be required as specifically identified in any part of the Development Code and as follows:

1. For all development in the following zones:

a. Multi-family Residential - Orcutt (MR-O) Zone

b. Limited Commercial (C-1) Zone, except a one-family dwelling and its accessory structures and uses on an existing lot of record

c. Retail Commercial (C-2) Zone

d. General Commercial (C-3) Zone

e. Neighborhood Commercial (CN) Zone

f. Coastal Related Industry (M-CR) Zone, except for exploratory oil and gas drill sites and agricultural uses

g. Industrial Research Park (M-RP) Zone

h. Light Industry (M-1) Zone

i. General Industry (M-2) Zone

j. Old Town (OT) Zones, except a one-family dwelling and its accessory structures and uses on an existing lot of record

2. Where required as a condition of an approved planning permit.

3. For all new development where a Conditional Use Permit in compliance with Section 35.82.060 (Conditional Use Permits and Minor Conditional Use Permits) is required.

4. For all new development where a Development Plan in compliance with Section 35.82.080 (Development Plans) is required.

5. Where required by the Board of Architectural Review.

B. Plan requirements.

1. A landscape design professional shall prepare landscape plans.

2. Landscape plans shall be in compliance with the Department handout, "Landscape Plan and Performance Security Procedures."

C. Plan review.

1. Director. The Director shall review landscape plans that do not require review and approval by the Board of Architectural Review in compliance with Subsection C.2 (Board of Architectural Review) below, and shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny the plan.

2. Board of Architectural Review. The Board of Architectural Review shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny:

a. Landscape plans required by the Board of Architectural Review.

b. Landscape plans that require review and approval of the landscape plan by the Board of Architectural Review as a condition of approval of a planning permit.

D. Duration. Landscaping shall be installed and permanently maintained in compliance with the approved landscape plan.

(Ord. No. 5275, § 40, 1-27-2026)

A. Landscape agreement and performance security required. Prior to the issuance of a Land Use Permit in compliance with Section 35.82.110 (Land Use Permits), or a Zoning Clearance in compliance with Section 35.82.210 (Zoning Clearances), the Department may require a signed and notarized landscape agreement and a performance security that guarantees the installation of plantings, walls, and fences, in compliance with the approved landscape plan, and provides for adequate maintenance for a designated time period, in compliance with Section 35.84.020 (Performance Guarantees) and Section 35.84.070 (Post Approval Inspections).

B. Performance security release. When required, performance securities shall be released upon approval by the Director for the installation and the remaining performance security for landscaping maintenance shall be released at the end of the designated time period, provided the planting has been adequately maintained in compliance with Section 35.84.020 (Performance Guarantees) and Section 35.84.070 (Post Approval Inspections).

(Ord. No. 5275, § 40, 1-27-2026)

Landscaping shall be provided as required by any part of this Development Code and the following.

A. Agricultural (AG-I and AG-II) zones.

1. Greenhouses. A greenhouse shall require a landscape plan in compliance with the following:

a. Plan requirements. The plan shall include landscaping that, within five years, will reasonably screen the view of structures and onsite parking areas from adjacent public streets. The plan shall also include landscaping along public streets. The landscaping shall consist of plant material compatible with existing plants on the property.

b. Installation requirements. Landscaping shall be completely installed prior to final Building Permit inspection.

B. Design Residential (DR) zone.

1. All areas of the site not designated for a specific use shall be landscaped, including required setback areas.

2. A minimum of 15 percent of the site shall be landscaped.

C. Mobile Home Planned Development (MHP) zone and Mobile Home Subdivision (MHS) zone.

1. Perimeter setback areas shall be landscaped.

2. Unsightly areas within the development (e.g., common parking areas, trash storage areas) shall be thoroughly screened by landscaping.

D. Multi-family Residential - Orcutt (MR-O) zone.

1. Perimeter setback areas shall be landscaped.

2. Unsightly areas within the development (e.g., common parking areas, trash storage areas) shall be thoroughly screened by landscaping.

E. Planned Residential Development (PRD) zone.

1. An adequate buffer area comprised of fencing/walls, plant materials, or any combination thereof shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts property zoned other than PRD to protect adjacent properties from impacts of noise or lighting and to provide separation between different uses. The buffer area shall be depicted on any Development Plan associated with the development project.

F. Small Lot Planned Development (SLP) zone.

1. Perimeter setback areas shall be landscaped.

2. Unsightly areas within the development (e.g., common parking areas, trash storage areas) shall be thoroughly screened by landscaping.

G. Limited Commercial (C-1) zone.

1. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided adjacent to any lot line that abuts a residential zone.

2. A landscape area with a minimum width of 15 feet shall be provided adjacent to any street right-of-way line except for areas provided for site access or areas where structures exist.

H. Highway Commercial (CH) zone.

1. A minimum of five percent of the net lot area shall be landscaped.

2. An ornamental masonry wall not less than six feet in height extending to within 20 feet of the street right-of-way line of existing or proposed streets shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential zone. In addition, a row of trees that provide continuous screening to an approximate height of not less than 20 feet nor more than 40 feet when mature shall be provided.

3. An ornamental masonry wall not less than three feet in height shall be provided along and located a minimum of three feet from any street right-of-way line that abuts the project site where the property on the opposite site of the street has a residential zone.

a. The area between the wall and the street right-of-way line shall be landscaped.

b. This requirement may be modified by the review authority when it is determined that strict compliance with this requirement is not required to protect residential values due to the street width or other conditions.

c. This requirement shall not apply to areas provided for site access and where a service station abuts a street right-of-way.

I. Neighborhood Commercial (CN) zone.

1. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet and an ornamental wall not less than five feet in height extending to within 20 feet of the street right-of-way line of existing or proposed streets shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential zone. The wall shall be reduced to three feet in height when located within a front setback area.

J. Resort/Visitor Serving Commercial (C-V) zone.

1. An adequate buffer comprised of fencing, walls, plant materials, or any combination thereof shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential zone to protect adjacent properties from impacts of noise or lighting and to provide separation between residential and commercial uses. The buffer area shall be depicted on any Development Plan associated with the development project.

K. Professional and Institutional (PI) zone.

1. A minimum of 10 percent of the net lot area of the property shall be devoted to landscaping.

L. Coastal Related Industry (M-CR) zone.

1. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided adjacent to all lot lines except for areas provided for site access.

2. A masonry wall not less than six feet in height shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a commercial or residential zone.

3. Outdoor storage areas shall be screened by a wall or fence not less than six feet in height. The wall or fence shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any street right-of-way line. The area between the wall or fence and the street right-of-way line shall be landscaped. Areas where stored materials or equipment exceed a height of six feet shall be landscaped with a row of trees of a type approved by the Director to provide continuous screening to an approximate height of not less than 20 feet nor more than 40 feet when mature.

M. Industrial Research Park (M-RP) zone.

1. A minimum of 30 percent of the net lot area of the property shall be landscaped.

2. A landscape area with a minimum width of 20 feet shall be provided within the rear setback area adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential zone.

3. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided within the side setback areas adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential zone.

4. A masonry wall not less than six feet in height shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential zone.

N. Light Industry (M-1) zone.

1. A minimum of 10 percent of the net lot area shall be landscaped.

2. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided adjacent to any side or rear lot line.

3. A landscape area with a minimum width of 10 feet shall be provided adjacent to any street right-of-way line except for areas provided for site access.

4. A masonry wall not less than six feet in height shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential or commercial zone.

5. Outdoor storage areas shall be screened from view of a street by a wall or fence not less than six feet in height. The wall or fence shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any street right-of-way line. The area between the wall or fence and the street right-of-way line shall be landscaped. Areas where stored materials or equipment exceed a height of six feet shall be landscaped with a row of trees of a type approved by the Department to provide continuous screening to an approximate height of not less than 20 feet nor more than 40 feet when mature.

O. General Industry (M-2) zone.

1. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided adjacent to any street right-of-way line except for areas provided for site access.

2. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet and a masonry wall not less than six feet in height shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential or commercial zone.

P. Mixed Use (MU) zone.

1. A landscape area with a minimum width of 10 feet shall be provided adjacent to the perimeter of the project site except for areas provided for site access or areas where structures exist.

Q. Public Utilities (PU) zone.

1. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided adjacent to any street right-of-way except for areas provided for site access

2. A landscape area with a minimum width of five feet and a masonry wall not less than six feet in height shall be provided adjacent to any portion of a lot line that abuts a residential or commercial zone.

R. Recreation (REC) zone.

1. Landscaping, fencing, and/or walls adequate to properly screen the facilities (e.g., tennis courts, concession stands, restrooms, and other structures) shall be provided when the lot is adjacent to a residential zone.

(Ord. No. 5275, § 40, 1-27-2026)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 5275, § 40, adopted January 27, 2026, amended Section 35.34.050 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, Section 35.34.050 pertained to agricultural zones landscaping requirements, and derived from original codification.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 5275, § 40, adopted January 27, 2026, repealed the former Section 35.34.060, which pertained to residential zones landscaping requirements and derived from original codification. For current provisions pertaining to similar subject matter, the user's attention is directed to Section 35.34.050.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 5275, § 40, adopted January 27, 2026, repealed the former Section 35.34.070, which pertained to commercial zones landscaping requirements and derived from original codification and Ord. No. 5192, § 11, adopted November 7, 2023. For current provisions pertaining to similar subject matter, the user's attention is directed to Section 35.34.050.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 5275, § 40, adopted January 27, 2026, repealed the former Section 35.34.080, which pertained to industrial zones landscaping requirements and derived from original codification. For current provisions pertaining to similar subject matter, the user's attention is directed to Section 35.34.050.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 5275, § 40, adopted January 27, 2026, repealed the former Section 35.34.090, which pertained to special purpose zones landscaping requirements and derived from original codification. For current provisions pertaining to similar subject matter, the user's attention is directed to Section 35.34.050.

In addition to the applicable landscaping requirements contained within Section 35.34.050 through Section 35.34.090 above, parking areas shall be landscaped in compliance with the following requirements. For the purpose of landscaping and screening requirements within this Chapter, parking area includes the parking spaces and the maneuvering space necessary for their use.

A. Screening between residential and nonresidential uses. Where nonresidential parking areas abut residentially zoned or developed property, a wall or solid fence not less than five feet in height shall be constructed and maintained between the parking area and the adjoining residentially zoned or developed property.

B. Existing trees. The design of the parking area should make the best use of the growth and shade provided by existing trees on the project site.

C. Screening requirements and authority. Screening shall be provided adjacent to all lot lines consisting of a five-foot wide strip, planted with sufficient shrubbery to effectively screen the parking area, or a solid fence or wall not less than four feet in height. Fences or walls abutting streets shall be ornamental in texture, pattern, or shadow relief. Planting, fences, or walls abutting streets shall not exceed 30 inches in height for a distance of 25 feet on either side of entrances or exits to the property. This requirement for screening may be waived or modified by the review authority if the adjacent property already has provided a solid wall not less than four feet in height.

D. Additional requirements for uncovered parking areas exceeding 3,600 square feet. When the total uncovered parking area on the project site (including adjoining lots over which the project has parking privileges) exceeds 3,600 square feet, the following shall be required, in addition to other provisions of this Section, as part of a landscape plan:

1. Trees, shrubbery, and ground cover shall be provided at suitable intervals in order to break up the continuity of the parking area. Planting islands for these trees and shrubs shall be protected from automobile traffic by either asphalt or concrete curbs.

2. Landscape islands shall be provided at the ends of all parking lanes.