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Title 28 — Zoning—Coastal

Chapter 28.22 — HRC-1 and HRC-2 HOTEL AND RELATED COMMERCE ZONES

Santa Barbara Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · Santa Barbara

§ 28.22.010. In General.

  • A. This is a zone which, because of its proximity to the shoreline and its location along two major arteries, strives to promote, maintain and protect visitor-serving and commercial recreational uses. Tourist and traveler related uses shall be encouraged in this zone in a manner which does not detract from the desirability of the shoreline as a place to visit. Residential uses are appropriate in certain areas of the HRC-2 zone.

  • B. Land classified in the HRC-2 zone may also be overlaid with a second classification of being in the OceanOriented Commercial zone (hereinafter referred to as the "OC zone.") The OC zone regulations shall apply to all development projects on land with a dual HRC-2 / OC zoning designation.

  • (Ord. 4320, 1985; 4172, 1982; Ord. 5343, 2005)

§ 28.22.030. Land Uses Permitted.

The following land uses are allowed in the HRC zones indicated:

  • A. HRC-1 Zone. Hotels, motels and tourist courts, including related recreational, conference center and other auxiliary uses primarily for use by hotel guests and as permitted in Section 28.21.030.B.2 of this title. In addition, restaurants, including those with entertainment facilities used in conjunction with the restaurant, are allowed.

  • B. HRC-2 Zone.

    1. General. Any use permitted in the HRC-1 Zone and subject to the restrictions and limitations contained therein.

    2. Specific. Any of the following uses which are primarily visitor-serving or of a commercial recreational nature specific to the Coastal Zone are allowed:

      • a. Bicycle, roller skating, moped, dive gear and other recreational equipment rental stores.

      • b. Stores which sell liquor, groceries and food, which do not exceed 2,500 sq. ft. in gross floor area.

      • c. Specialty and gift shops.

      • d. Art galleries.

      • e. Bait and tackle shops, sales of boats, marine supplies and related equipment.

      • f. Other visitor-serving or commercial recreational uses deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission.

    3. General Office Use. The second and third floors of commercial buildings are allowed to be used for general office uses upon issuance of a Conditional Use Permit. A Conditional Use Permit may be granted by the Planning Commission or City Council on appeal for such uses in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 28.94 of this code, subject to the following additional findings:

      • a. The use is compatible with visitor-serving uses;

      • b. Visitor-serving uses remain the primary use of the building; and

      • c. Non-visitor-serving uses shall not exceed 50% of the total square footage of the building.

    4. Restriction on Residential Use. Residential use is prohibited in the HRC-2 Zone except in the following areas:

  • a. The area bounded by Cabrillo Boulevard on the southeast, Los Patos Way on the southwest and the existing railroad right-of-way on the north.

  • b. The area identified as Area A of the Cabrillo Plaza Specific Plan as specified in Resolution No. 83-155.

Any use permitted in the R-3 Zone is allowed in these areas subject to the restrictions and limitations contained therein.

  1. Special Treatment Area. The following additional restrictions shall apply in the area bounded by Cabrillo Boulevard on the southeast, Los Patos Way on the southwest and the existing railroad right-of-way on the north, due to concerns about protection of the sensitive habitat character and aesthetics of the Andree Clark Bird Refuge:

    • a. High Intensity Uses. The following high-intensity uses shall be prohibited:

      • i. Fast food restaurants.

      • ii. Stores which sell liquor, groceries and food, except that off-site sale of beer and wine and picnic items may be allowed only when incidental to and related to the primary use of the establishment.

      • iii. Automobile service station.

    • b. Front Setback. There shall be a front setback of not less than:

  • i. Ten feet for one-story buildings that do not exceed 15 feet in height; and

    - ii. One hundred feet for the second-story portion of any building that exceeds 15 feet in height.
    

c. Building Height. Three-story buildings and buildings in excess of 30 feet in height shall be prohibited. (Ord. 4172, 1982; Ord. 4320, 1985; Ord. 5343, 2005; Ord. 5459, 2008; Ord. 5678, 2014)

§ 28.22.035. Uses Permitted Upon the Issuance of a Conditional Use Permit.

In the HRC-2 Zone, alcoholic beverage retail establishments, automobile rentals, parking lots, automobile service stations and automobile service station/mini-markets may be permitted with a conditional use permit issued in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 28.94 of this Code, except where specifically prohibited elsewhere in this chapter.

(Ord. 4172, 1982; Ord. 4320, 1985; Ord. 6026 § 2, 2021)

§ 28.22.040. Coastal Zone Review.

All development in the Coastal Overlay Zone (S-D-3) is subject to review pursuant to Chapter 28.44 of this code. (Ord. 4172, 1982; Ord. 4320, 1985; Ord. 5417, 2007)

§ 28.22.045. Development Potential.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no application for a land use permit for a nonresidential construction project will be accepted or approved on or after December 6, 1989 unless the project complies with the provisions outlined in Development Plan Approval, Chapter 28.85 . (Ord. 4670, 1991; Ord. 5609, 2013)

§ 28.22.050. Building Height Standards.

No building or structure in an HRC zone shall exceed three stories or exceed 45 feet in height. (Ord. 4172, 1982; Ord. 4320, 1985; Ord. 5343, 2005)

§ 28.22.060. Setbacks.

  • A. Front setback. There shall be a front setback of not less than:

    1. Ten feet for one-story buildings that do not exceed 15 feet in height; and

    2. Twenty feet for all other buildings.

  • B. Interior setback. Buildings on property immediately adjacent to residentially-zoned property shall have an interior setback of no less than 10 feet or one-half the height of the building, whichever is greater.

  • (Ord. 4172, 1982; Ord. 4320, 1985; Ord. 5459, 2008)

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Contents — Santa Barbara Zoning Code
Santa Barbara Zoning Code
  1. Title 28 — Zoning—Coastal
    Overview
    1. Chapter 28.01 — TITLE
    2. Chapter 28.04 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 28.05 — STAFF HEARING OFFICER
    4. Chapter 28.06 — PLANNING COMMISSION
    5. Chapter 28.07 — GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
    6. Chapter 28.08 — SPECIFIC PLANS
    7. Chapter 28.10 — ZONES
    8. Chapter 28.11 — PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF SOLAR ACCESS
    9. Chapter 28.12 — ZONE MAP
    10. Chapter 28.15 — A-1, A-2, E-1, E-2, E-3 and R-1 ONE-FAMILY RES…
    11. Chapter 28.18 — R-2 TWO-FAMILY RESIDENCE ZONE
    12. Chapter 28.20 — AVERAGE UNIT-SIZE DENSITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
    13. Chapter 28.21 — R-3 LIMITED MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ZONE AND…
    14. Chapter 28.22 — HRC-1 and HRC-2 HOTEL AND RELATED COMMERCE ZONES
    15. Chapter 28.27 — R-H RESORT-RESIDENTIAL HOTEL ZONE
    16. Chapter 28.30 — GARDEN APARTMENT DEVELOPMENTS
    17. Chapter 28.33 — PLANNED RESIDENCE DEVELOPMENTS
    18. Chapter 28.36 — PUD PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT ZONE
    19. Chapter 28.37 — PR - PARK AND RECREATION ZONE
    20. Chapter 28.39 — P-D PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONE
    21. Chapter 28.42 — S-H SENIOR HOUSING ZONE
    22. Chapter 28.43 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ORDINANCE
    23. Chapter 28.44 — COASTAL OVERLAY ZONE - S-D-3 ZONE DESIGNATION
    24. Chapter 28.45 — S-D SPECIAL DISTRICT ZONE
    25. Chapter 28.46 — SP-5 ZONE
    26. Chapter 28.47 — SP-7 ZONE - RIVIERA CAMPUS SPECIFIC PLAN
    27. Chapter 28.48 — R-O RESTRICTED OFFICE ZONE
    28. Chapter 28.49 — SP-8 HOSPITAL ZONE
    29. Chapter 28.50 — SP-9 ZONE - VERONICA MEADOWS SPECIFIC PLAN
    30. Chapter 28.51 — C-O MEDICAL OFFICE ZONE
    31. Chapter 28.54 — C-P RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL ZONE
    32. Chapter 28.57 — C-L LIMITED COMMERCIAL ZONE
    33. Chapter 28.60 — C-X RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATIV…
    34. Chapter 28.63 — C-1 LIMITED COMMERCIAL ZONE
    35. Chapter 28.66 — C-2 COMMERCIAL ZONE
    36. Chapter 28.69 — C-M COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING ZONE
    37. Chapter 28.70 — HC - HARBOR COMMERCIAL ZONE
    38. Chapter 28.71 — OC OCEAN-ORIENTED COMMERCIAL ZONE
    39. Chapter 28.72 — M-1 LIGHT MANUFACTURING ZONE
    40. Chapter 28.73 — OM-1 OCEAN-ORIENTED LIGHT MANUFACTURING
    41. Chapter 28.75 — HWMF HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY OVERL…
    42. Chapter 28.77 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS
    43. Chapter 28.78 — MOBILEHOME AND PERMANENT RECREATIONAL VEHICLE …
    44. Chapter 28.79 — EMERGENCY SHELTER REGULATIONS
    45. Chapter 28.80 — TWO-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
    46. Chapter 28.81 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES
    47. Chapter 28.82 — ESTABLISHING PROCEDURE FOR STREET WIDENING SET…
    48. Chapter 28.83 — STREET WIDENING SETBACK LINES ESTABLISHED
    49. Chapter 28.84 — VARIANCES FOR STREET WIDENING SETBACK LINES
    50. Chapter 28.85 — NONRESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
    51. Chapter 28.86 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    52. Chapter 28.87 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    53. Chapter 28.88 — CONVERSION OF DWELLING UNITS TO CONDOMINIUMS, …
    54. Chapter 28.89 — TENANT DISPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE ORDINANCE
    55. Chapter 28.90 — AUTOMOBILE PARKING REQUIREMENTS
    56. Chapter 28.92 — VARIANCES, MODIFICATIONS AND ZONE CHANGES
    57. Chapter 28.93 — PERFORMANCE STANDARD PERMITS
    58. Chapter 28.94 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    59. Chapter 28.95 — TRANSFER OF EXISTING DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
    60. Chapter 28.96 — ZONING UPON ANNEXATION
    61. Chapter 28.97 — OCCUPANCY
    62. Chapter 28.98 — ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY
    63. Chapter 28.99 — VALIDITY AND REPEALS

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