Santa Barbara County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Santa Barbara County regulates land use in the unincorporated areas through the Santa Barbara County Code, Chapter 35, including the Coastal Zoning Ordinance in Article II, which implements the County’s certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) in the Coastal Zone (§ 35-50; § 35-51 ). Within the Coastal Zone, development must comply with Article II’s base districts, overlays, and permit procedures; district standards are complemented by countywide development policies incorporated from the Coastal Land Use Plan (§ 35-59 ). This page orients you to how the code is organized, the zoning district families, headline development standards, overlays and specific plans, the review/permit path, and how state housing mandates interface with local rules.

Core takeaway: In the Coastal Zone, most development requires a Coastal Development Permit and must conform to Article II’s district regulations plus the LCP’s objective development standards; additional discretionary tools (Design Review, Development Plans, CUPs) apply based on project type and location (§ 35-59; § 35-169.2 ).

How Santa Barbara County’s code is organized

• Code framework. The Coastal Zoning Ordinance is Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 35, Article II, adopted to implement the Coastal Act via the County’s LCP (§ 35-50; § 35-51 ). It is organized by divisions that include general provisions, development standards, overlay districts, parking, special industries, and permitting procedures.
• Districts and overlays. Base zoning districts are established and listed in § 35-52, and overlay districts in § 35-53; mapped districts and overlays control where each regulation applies (§ 35-52; § 35-53 ).
• Development standards. The LCP’s development policies function as countywide standards in Division 3 (e.g., scale/compatibility, maximum LUP densities) and interact with each zone’s dimensional rules (§ 35-59 ).
• Use/permit tables and special regulations. Allowable uses and permit requirements appear in district sections and in topical regulations (e.g., animal keeping, rural recreation) that cross-reference permit types and zones (§ 35-430; § 35-460 excerpts; see also animal-keeping table notes tied to § 35-51B and § 35-430.D ).
• Permitting. Division 11 sets procedures for Coastal Development Permits (§ 35-169), Development Plans (§ 35-174), Land Use Permits (§ 35-178), Zoning Clearances (§ 35-179A), noticing (§ 35-181) and appeals (§ 35-182) (§ 35-169; § 35-174; § 35-178; § 35-179A; § 35-181; § 35-182 ).

For a practical jumping-off point, start at Santa Barbara County Zoning and Santa Barbara County Development Standards.

Zoning district families

The Coastal Zoning Ordinance recognizes these district families and symbols (§ 35-52 ):

• Agricultural: AG‑I, AG‑II
• Residential: RR, R‑1/E‑1, R‑2, EX‑1, DR, PRD, SR‑M, SR‑H, MHP
• Commercial: C‑1, C‑2, CH, C‑V, PI
• Industrial: M‑RP, M‑CD, M‑CR
• Other: PU, REC, RES, TC

Highlights you’ll actually use:

• RR (Rural Residential): Minimum gross lot areas include 5–100 acres depending on the suffix (e.g., RR‑5, RR‑10); typical setbacks are 50 ft to street centerline and 20 ft to lot lines; maximum height 35 ft (§ 35-70.6 to § 35-70.9 ).
• R‑1/E‑1 (Single‑Family Residential): Establishes single‑family as a permitted use; processing is tied to Coastal Development Permits; accessory uses include ADU/JADU when compliant with § 35‑142 (§ 35-71.2 to § 35-71.3; ADU references to § 35-142 ).
• AG‑II (Agriculture II): Typical minimum lot sizes are 40/100/320 acres; structures must observe at least 50 ft to street centerline and 20 ft to right‑of‑way; height/setback regs otherwise “none” for AG‑II; parking by Division 6 (§ 35-69.5 to § 35-69.7 ).
• RES (Resource Management): Minimum lots 40/100/320 acres; setbacks 50 ft to centerline, 20 ft to lot lines; maximum height 25 ft (§ 35-90.7 to § 35-90.10 ).
• PRD (Planned Residential Development): No minimum lot size; setbacks are set through approved plans; building coverage capped at 30% for dwellings and 50% total; maximum height 35 ft; parking adds screening/design rules (§ 35-75.10 to § 35-75.14 ).
• MHP (Mobile Home Park): Permitted uses include parks and accessory facilities; ADU/JADU allowed per § 35‑142; requires Final Development Plan and CDP compliance (§ 35-91.1 to § 35-91.4 ).

Related: Santa Barbara County Land Use.

Citywide development standards

Article II weaves district-specific dimensional rules together with LCP‑level “objective standards” for design, scale, and density:

• LCP standards apply countywide in the Coastal Zone. Structures must be compatible with rural/urban character, and LUP densities are maximums subject to site constraints; affordable projects may increase density when LCP‑consistent (§ 35-59 ).
• Representative baseline standards by zone:

  Zone	Minimum lot area	Setbacks	Height	Notes
  RR‑5 to RR‑100	5–100 acres (§ 35‑70.6)	50 ft to centerline; 20 ft side/rear (§ 35‑70.7)	35 ft (§ 35‑70.8)	Parking per Division 6 (§ 35‑70.9)
  AG‑II‑40/100/320	40/100/320 acres (§ 35‑69.5)	“None,” except 50 ft to centerline or 20 ft ROW (§ 35‑69.6)	Not specified beyond AG‑II note	Parking per Division 6 (§ 35‑69.7)
  RES‑40/100/320	40/100/320 acres (§ 35‑90.7)	50 ft to centerline; 20 ft lot lines (§ 35‑90.8)	25 ft (§ 35‑90.9)	Parking per Division 6 (§ 35‑90.10)
  PRD	No min lot size (§ 35‑75.10)	Set in plans (§ 35‑75.11)	35 ft (§ 35‑75.13)	Coverage: 30% dwellings; 50% total (§ 35‑75.12)

• Parking. Off‑street parking is governed in Division 6, which sets purpose, applicability, maintenance, and recalculation rules (§ 35‑103 to § 35‑106 ).
• FAR/lot coverage. Where present, these are zone‑specific (e.g., PRD coverage above); otherwise, projects are guided by LCP design/scale policies (§ 35‑59; zone sections as cited ). Not found in retrieved materials: a global FAR standard; verify with the jurisdiction.

Where a topic crosses districts (e.g., animal keeping, rural recreation), the code supplies consolidated standards and permit matrices keyed to each zone (see notes referencing § 35‑51B and § 35‑430.D; tables excerpted in retrieved materials) .

Specific plans & overlays

• Specific Plans. The County may require and adopt Specific Plans that refine allowed development; contents include site design, phasing, hazards, open space, parking, and infrastructure; adoption is coordinated through public hearings and environmental review (§ 35‑175.3; § 35‑175.4; construction requires a Final Development Plan per § 35‑174) .
• Overlay districts. Overlays add or modify standards over base zones (§ 35‑53 ). Examples retrieved:
  • SD — Site Design Overlay: Requires a site‑design plan at land division to demonstrate ultimate parcelization and avoid resource impacts; applies alongside base‑zone rules (§ 35‑94.1 to § 35‑94.3 ).
  • CVC overlay (Gaviota Coast viewshed): Requires design review by the Board of Architectural Review before CDP/LUP/Zoning Clearance; includes ocean‑view protection and a typical south‑of‑101 height guideline of 15 ft unless additional height better protects views and remains within zone limits (§ 35‑184 reference; § 35‑169; § 35‑178; § 35‑179A; overlay criteria in Subsection D.3.d.1) .
  • TCWO — Transportation Corridor Wetland Overlay: Establishes wetland‑related purposes and permit context (header retrieved; substantive standards not included in excerpts) (§ 35‑102H.1 heading ).
  • SUM Overlay: Mentioned for duplex minimum lot size (10,000 sq ft) when applicable; details should be confirmed in overlay chapter (reference appears in lot standards context) (overlay reference and duplex size note ).
• Local design standards. Additional community‑specific design criteria (e.g., Montecito) may apply, and the Board may adopt local design standards under § 35‑144A (referenced in design criteria) (§ 35‑144A reference within design criteria; Montecito design criteria excerpted) .

Explore more: Santa Barbara County Overlay Districts.

Building permits & review

• Typical Coastal Zone path:
  1. Determine base zone/overlays and applicable LCP development standards (§ 35‑52; § 35‑53; § 35‑59) .
  2. Confirm whether the project is exempt from planning permits; exempt activities must still meet setbacks/height/parking and obtain other required permits (e.g., building, grading) (§ 35‑51B.A.1‑2 ).
  3. Secure a Coastal Development Permit unless exempt; for large structures (≥20,000 sq ft), a Development Plan is typically required before the CDP, with an exception for ADU/JADU components (§ 35‑169.2.2 and § 35‑169.2.2.a) .
  4. If required by district/overlay/type, obtain Design Review approval from the Board of Architectural Review before CDP/LUP/Zoning Clearance (e.g., CVC overlay) (§ 35‑184 reference; § 35‑169; § 35‑178; § 35‑179A; overlay D.1) .
  5. After discretionary approvals, the County issues a Land Use Permit and/or Zoning Clearance to memorialize conditions prior to construction (§ 35‑178; § 35‑179A; permitting sequence examples) .
  6. Apply for Building and/or Grading permits under the California Building Standards Code. The Coastal Ordinance cross‑references commencement under valid Grading/Building permits for timing (e.g., de minimis waiver expiration) (§ 35‑169 de minimis waiver timing excerpts) .
• Who decides? The Zoning Administrator acts on Development Plans, Minor CUPs, Modifications, and Variances; within the Montecito Community Plan Area, the Montecito Planning Commission serves as the Zoning Administrator (§ “Zoning Administrator” definition ).
• Variances. Variances may be granted for physical standards where strict application deprives property of privileges; the Zoning Administrator conducts hearings and must make specific findings (§ 35‑173.3 to § 35‑173.6) .

If your project touches nonconformities or legacy approvals, see Santa Barbara County Nonconforming Uses. For relief on standards, see Santa Barbara County Variances and Exceptions.

State housing law in Santa Barbara County

• ADUs and JADUs. ADUs/JADUs are allowed in residential districts when approved in compliance with § 35‑142, and, in the Coastal Zone, are processed in coordination with CDP procedures. Notably, if a Development Plan would otherwise apply due to project size, an ADU/JADU component proceeds with a CDP only, consistent with § 35‑142 (§ 35‑169.2.2.a; district‑level ADU references) .
• Density bonus, SB 9, and other state housing mandates. The LCP recognizes that where only objective standards may be applied under state housing law, the objective components of applicable coastal resource protections will govern; the County anticipates an LCP amendment to incorporate additional objective standards for qualifying housing projects (§ 35‑59 introductory policy on objective standards) . Not found in retrieved materials: a Coastal Article II chapter detailing local SB 9 or density bonus procedures; verify with the jurisdiction. For statewide rules, see California housing laws and California ADU law.

Information Gaps

• Inland Zoning Ordinance. This overview is grounded in Article II (Coastal). The County also administers an Inland Zoning Ordinance for unincorporated areas outside the Coastal Zone; it was not included in the retrieved materials. Verify inland standards and procedures with the jurisdiction.
• Signage, landscaping/screening details, historic preservation specifics, and full overlay lists were only partially retrieved. Consult the applicable code divisions or confirm with County Planning. Related topics: Santa Barbara County Signage, Santa Barbara County Landscaping and Screening, Santa Barbara County Historic Preservation.

Source References

• Coastal Zoning Ordinance title/applicability and LCP framework: § 35‑50; § 35‑51; development policy standards: § 35‑59
• Zoning district families and maps: § 35‑52; overlay districts: § 35‑53
• Representative zone standards: AG‑II (§ 35‑69.5–35‑69.7), RR (§ 35‑70.6–35‑70.9), R‑1/E‑1 (§ 35‑71.2–35‑71.3), RES (§ 35‑90.7–35‑90.10), PRD (§ 35‑75.10–35‑75.14)
• Parking (Division 6): § 35‑103 to § 35‑106
• Specific Plans: § 35‑175.3–35‑175.4; Development Plans: § 35‑174
• Permits: Coastal Development Permits (§ 35‑169), Land Use Permits (§ 35‑178), Zoning Clearances (§ 35‑179A); noticing/appeals (§ 35‑181; § 35‑182)
• Design Review (BAR) references and CVC overlay criteria: § 35‑184 reference within overlay; § 35‑169; § 35‑178; § 35‑179A; CVC overlay Subsection D.1–D.4
• Variances: § 35‑173.3–35‑173.6
• Nonconforming references: Division 10 reference in § 35‑51B; example § 35‑214 (Montecito overlay excerpt)