Chapter 30.35 — Santa Barbara Municipal Code

§ 30.35.010. Purpose.¶

The purposes of Coastal-Oriented Zones are as follows:

A. Coastal-Oriented Hotel and Restaurant (CO-HR) Zone. The Coastal-Oriented Hotel and Restaurant (CO-HR) Zone, strives to promote, maintain and protect visitor-serving uses. Hotels and restaurants are the primary uses.
B. Coastal-Oriented Hotel and Visitor-Serving (CO-HV) Zone. The Coastal-Oriented Hotel and Visitor-Serving (CO-HV) Zone, because of its proximity to the shoreline and 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. Land classified in the CO-HV Zone may also be overlaid with a second classification of being in the Coastal-Oriented Commercial, Arts and Recreation (CO-CAR) Zone.
C. Coastal-Oriented Harbor (CO-H) Zone. The Coastal-Oriented Harbor (CO-H) Zone strives to maintain the harbor as primarily a working harbor with visitor-serving and coastal-related uses secondary to coastal-dependent uses, and that Stearns Wharf will consist of a mixture of visitor-serving, and coastal-dependent and coastal-related uses. In addition, this zone is intended to preserve and protect the coastal environment in terms of light, air, and visual amenities.
D. Coastal-Oriented Commercial, Arts, and Recreation (CO-CAR) Zone. The CoastalOriented Commercial, Arts, and Recreation (CO-CAR) Zone strives to achieve balanced use of the City's Waterfront and maintain the small scale, local character that is unique to the Waterfront area. Land uses shall be encouraged in this zone that maintain and enhance the desirability of the Waterfront as a place to work, visit, and live. This zone is intended to foster a vital, mixed-use neighborhood and preserve and protect the coastal environment in terms of light, air, and visual amenities. Land classified in the COCAR Zone may also be classified in the Coastal-Oriented Hotel and Visitor-Serving (CO-HV) Zone.
E. Coastal-Oriented Manufacturing Industrial (CO-MI) Zone. The Coastal-Oriented Manufacturing Industrial (CO-MI) Zone strives to provide for appropriate coastaldependent and coastal-related industrial uses in close proximity to the Harbor/Wharf Complex. The zone encourages the establishment of coastal-oriented industrial uses in keeping with the policies of the California Coastal Act and the City's Local Coastal Plan.

§ 30.35.020. Land Use Regulations.¶

Table 30.35.020 and the subsections that follow prescribe the land use regulations for CoastalOriented Zones.

Use classifications are defined in Chapter 30.295, Use Classifications. In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character. Use classifications and subclassifications not listed in the table or not found to be substantially similar to the uses below are prohibited.

The table also notes additional use regulations that apply to various uses. Numbers in parentheses refer to specific limitations listed at the end of the table. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this Title.

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TABLE 30.35.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS–COASTAL-ORIENTED ZONES
"A" Allowed Use
"PSP" Performance Standard Permit Required
"CUP" Conditional Use Permit Required
"–" Use Not Allowed
"(#)" Specific Limitations at the end of the table
Additional
Use Classification CO-HR CO-HV CO-H CO-CAR CO-MI Regulations
Residential Uses
Residential Uses – A – A – §30.185.360,
Residential Uses
in the CO-HV
and CO-CAR
Zones
§30.185.040,
Accessory
Dwelling Units
Public and Semi-Public Uses
College and Trade School – – – A(1) –
Community Assembly CUP CUP CUP(2) CUP –
Cultural Institution – A A(2) A –
Harbor, Port, and Marina – – A – –
Facilities
Instructional Services – – – A –
Park and Recreation – – – A – §30.185.350,
Facilities Recreation
Facilities
Public Facility – – A(3) A(3) CUP
Commercial Uses
Aquaculture Facilities – – – A –
Artist Studio – – – A –
Automobile/Vehicle Sales
and Services
Automobile/Vehicle – A/CUP A(4) A/ A(4)
Rentals (4) CUP(4)
Automobile/Vehicle Sales – A(5) A(2,5) A(5) A(5)
and Leasing

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TABLE 30.35.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS–COASTAL-ORIENTED ZONES
"A" Allowed Use
"PSP" Performance Standard Permit Required
"CUP" Conditional Use Permit Required
"–" Use Not Allowed
"(#)" Specific Limitations at the end of the table
Additional
Use Classification CO-HR CO-HV CO-H CO-CAR CO-MI Regulations
Fueling Station – CUP(6) PSP(3) CUP CUP §30.185.090,
Automobile/
Vehicle Fueling
Stations or Car
Washing
Facilities
Service and Repair, Minor – – A(5) A(5) A(5)
Business Services – – – A(7) –
Commercial Entertainment
and Recreation
Small-scale – – – A –
Eating and Drinking A(6) A A(2) A –
Establishments
Hotels and Similar Uses A A – CUP – §30.185.220,
Hotels and
Similar Uses
Maintenance and Repair – – A(5) A(5) A(5)
Services
Offices
Business and Professional – CUP(8) A(2,9) A(9) –
Parking, Public or Private – A A A A
Retail Sales
Food and Beverage Sales – A(6,10) A(2,10) A(10) –
General Retail – A(11) A(2,11) A(11) –
Industrial Uses
Automobile and Vehicle – – A(5) A(5) A(5)/
Repair, Major CUP
Custom Manufacturing – – – A A(5)/
CUP
Food and Beverage – – PSP(12) PSP(12) PSP(12) §30.185.380,
Manufacturing Seafood Odor
Control

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TABLE 30.35.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS–COASTAL-ORIENTED ZONES
"A" Allowed Use
"PSP" Performance Standard Permit Required
"CUP" Conditional Use Permit Required
"–" Use Not Allowed
"(#)" Specific Limitations at the end of the table
Additional
Use Classification CO-HR CO-HV CO-H CO-CAR CO-MI Regulations
Hazardous Waste – – – – CUP Chapter 30.55,
Management Facility Hazardous Waste
Management
Facility (HWMF)
Overlay Zone
Household Hazardous Waste – – A(13) – A
Collection Facility
Industry, Limited – – A(5) A(5) A(5)/CUP
Research and Development – – – A(3) A(3)/CUP
Warehousing and Storage – – A(5) A(5) A(5)/CUP §30.185.310,
Outdoor Storage
Transportation, Communication, and Utilities Uses
Public Works and Utilities – – – – CUP
Other Applicable Types
Accessory Uses and A A A A A §30.185.030,
Buildings Accessory Uses
and §30.140.020,
Accessory
Buildings
Alcoholic Beverage Retail CUP(14) CUP(14) CUP(14) CUP(14) CUP(14) §30.185.075,
Establishments Alcoholic
Beverage Retail
Establishments
Animal Keeping – A – A – §30.185.210,
Horse
Keeping and
SBMC 6.08,
Care and
Keeping of
Animals
Cannabis Cultivation, §30.185.110, Cannabis Cultivation for Personal Use
Personal
Mixed-Use Development Mixed-Use Development is allowed subject to the regulations of the
specific uses and applicable zone and permit requirements for any
individual use or component of the project.

Specific Limitations:

Limited to schools for the arts or coastal-oriented education facilities.
Limited to Stearns Wharf or as secondary harbor uses.
Limited to marine-related facilities.
Allowed if boat, boat trailer, or personal watercraft rental, CUP for automobile rental in the COHV and CO-CAR Zones only.
Limited to boats, personal watercraft, and marine-related equipment, CUP in the CO-MI Zone for other uses allowed in the M-I Zone.
Food and Beverage Sales, Eating and Drinking Establishments-Convenience, and Fueling Stations are not allowed 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, except that Food and Beverage Sales are allowed as an accessory use.
Limited to printing and copying, blueprint services, advertising and mailing, photo finishing, model building, and publishing.
Limited to the second and third floors of commercial structures and where the Review Authority makes the required findings pursuant to subsection B, below.
Limited to offices of businesses or persons engaged in coastal-related activities.
Limited to 2,500 square feet of floor area per lot.
Limited to uses that are primarily coastal-related, coastal-dependent, visitor-serving, or of a commercial recreational nature specific to the Coastal Zone such as bait and tackle shops, marine supply and related equipment sales, specialty and gift shops, and bicycle, roller skating, moped, dive gear, surfing, and other recreational equipment rental stores.
Limited to seafood facilities.
Allowed as a secondary harbor use only when limited to facilities exclusively serving the area within the CO-H Zone.
Limited to uses permitted in the zone.

A. Dual Zoning: CO-HV and CO-CAR. The land uses allowances within the CO-HV Zone and the COCAR Zone apply within the dual CO-CAR/CO-HV Zone.
B. Additional Land Use Regulations: CO-HV Zone.
1. Required Findings for Business and Professional Offices. Business and Professional Offices may only be allowed where the Review Authority finds that:
  - a. The use is compatible with visitor-serving uses;
  - b. Visitor-serving uses remain the primary use of the structure; and
  - c. Non-visitor-serving uses do not exceed 50% of the total square footage of the structure.
2. Other Allowed Uses in the CO-HV Zone. Other visitor-serving or commercial recreational uses deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission are allowed in the CO-HV Zone.
C. Additional Land Use Regulations: CO-H Zone.
1. Other Allowed Uses and Development in the CO-H Zone. The following uses and development are allowed in the CO-H Zone.
  - a. Primary Harbor Uses: Other coastal-dependent uses as deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission.
  - b. Secondary Harbor Uses: Other coastal-related uses as deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission.
  - c. Stearns Wharf Uses: Other coastal-dependent, coastal-related, and visitorserving uses as deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission.

Five Year Review of Uses. At least once every five years from March 30, 1993, the Board of Harbor Commissioners shall review the extent and nature of the uses existing in the Harbor and Shoreline Area of the CO-H Zone and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission regarding the adequacy of coastaldependent uses (Harbor primary uses) in relation to coastal-related and visitor-serving uses (Harbor secondary uses) in order to assure that the harbor remains a working harbor. A review of the mix of uses may occur at any other time at the direction of the Board of Harbor Commissioners or Planning Commission. Subsequent reviews shall be at five year intervals thereafter. The Coastal Commission shall receive a copy of the recommendation and accompanying background materials associated with each review.

D. Additional Land Use Regulations: CO-CAR Zone. Other coastal-dependent, coastaloriented, commercial recreational, or arts-related uses that are found to be consistent with the intent of the COCAR Zone by the Planning Commission are allowed in the CO-CAR Zone.
E. Additional Land Use Regulations: CO-MI Zone. The following uses and development are allowed in the CO-MI Zone.
1. Other coastal-related uses deemed appropriate by the Planning Commission.
2. Any other use permitted in the M-I Zone subject to the restrictions and limitations contained therein and issuance of a Conditional Use Permit. A Conditional Use Permit may be granted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 30.215, Conditional Use Permits, subject to the following additional findings:
  - a. The use is compatible with coastal-dependent or coastal-related uses; and
  - b. The property would have no feasible economic value if limited to coastaldependent or coastal-related uses. This finding shall be substantiated by competent evidence determined by the Planning Commission to be objective which includes no present or future demand for coastal-dependent or coastalrelated uses. Structures in existence or developments which have a valid and unexpired approval from the Coastal Commission on the effective date of this subsection may be used for all uses permitted in the M-I Zone.
(Ord. 5815, 2017; Ord. 5834, 2018; Ord. 6027 § 4, 2021)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 30.35.030. Development Standards.¶

Table 30.35.030 prescribes the development standards for Coastal-Oriented Zones. Section numbers refer to other sections of this Title. Additional regulations that apply throughout the City are located in Division III, Citywide Regulations.

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TABLE 30.35.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS–COASTAL-ORIENTED ZONES
CO-CAR [CO-HV/
Zone CO-HR CO-HV CO-H COCAR(A)] CO-MI
Lot Size and Street Frontage
Minimum Net Lot Area None Lots that include None Lots that include None
for Newly Created Lots residential uses: residential uses: 3,500
(sq. ft.) 3,500 Otherwise: None
Otherwise: None
Minimum Public Street None Structures and None Structures and portions None
Frontage portions of structures of structures used for
used for residential residential purposes:
purposes: Same as R-M Zone
Same as R-M Zone Otherwise: None
Otherwise: None
See §30.140.180, Street Frontage and Access; and §30.140.120, Location of
Lot Lines
Residential Density
Maximum Base N/A Structures and N/A Structures and portions N/A
Residential Density portions of structures of structures used for
used for residential residential purposes:
Additional Density N/A N/A N/A
Allowances purposes: Same as R-M Zone
Same as R-M Zone Otherwise: N/A
Otherwise: N/A
Structure Form and Location

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TABLE 30.35.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS–COASTAL-ORIENTED ZONES
CO-CAR [CO-HV/
Zone CO-HR CO-HV CO-H COCAR(A)] CO-MI
Maximum Height (ft.) 45; 30 45 Same
30 when located in the area as MI
bounded by Cabrillo Boulevard Zone
on the southeast, Los Patos Way
on the southwest and the
existing railroad right-of-way
on the north
Adjacent to RS or R-2 N/A N/A N/A N/A Same
Zone as MI
Zone
Additional Height Height is further limited in accordance with §30.140.170, Solar Access Height
Limitations Adjacent Limitations
to all Residential
Zones
Minimum Setbacks (ft.) See also §30.140.090, Encroachments into Setbacks and Open Yards
See Chapter 30.150, Average Unit-Size Density Incentive Program
Front Portions of structures 15 feet or None Residential only None
less: 10 development: Same as
Portions of structures more than R-M Zone
15 feet in height: 20; Otherwise: None
100 when located 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
Interior, Adjacent to None None Residential only None
a Nonresidential development: Same as
Zone R-M Zone
Otherwise: None

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TABLE 30.35.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS–COASTAL-ORIENTED ZONES
CO-CAR [CO-HV/
Zone CO-HR CO-HV CO-H COCAR(A)] CO-MI
Interior, Adjacent to Residential structures, and the None Residential only None
a Residential Zone residential portions of mixed- development: Same as
use development: Same as R-M R-M Zone
Zone Otherwise: None
Nonresidential structures and
the nonresidential portions of
any structure in a mixed-use
development, 30 feet in height
or less: 15
Nonresidential structures, and
the nonresidential portion of
any structure in a mixed-use
development, more than 30 feet
in height: 20
Portions of structures used by
both the residential and
nonresidential uses are subject
to the setback requirement for
nonresidential structures.
Uncovered Parking See §30.175.060, Location of Required Automobile and Bicycle Parking
Open Yard
Open Yards Any lot developed with residential uses shall provide open yard pursuant to
§30.140.140, Open Yards.
See Chapter 30.150, Average Unit-Size Density Incentive Program

A. Dual Zoning: CO-HV and CO-CAR. The CO-CAR Zone development standards shall apply to all development projects on land with a dual CO-HV/CO-CAR zoning designation.

Exceptions & meaning →