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Santa Barbara County — Development Standards

Development Standards under the Santa Barbara County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page distills the development standards that apply in unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County under the County’s zoning ordinance, with a focus on measurable site and building controls: minimum lot size, setbacks, building height, lot coverage, and residential density. The citations below are to Article II of the County Code (Coastal Zoning Ordinance) because the retrieved materials are coastal; inland standards live in the Land Use and Development Code and may differ. Verify which ordinance applies to your parcel before relying on any metric.

Most residential districts in the unincorporated coastal zone combine two setback measurements (from the street centerline and from the right-of-way) and cap height at 25–35 feet; always confirm both numbers for your district (and any overlays) before designing.

Linking context: see the County’s zoning framework at the Santa Barbara County-wide zoning overview, base zoning districts, allowable land uses, parking ratios and design rules, when design review applies, and whether an overlay district or historic preservation standard modifies base metrics.

District-by-District standards (unincorporated coastal zone)

AG-I — Agricultural I

  • Purpose and typical uses: Agricultural production with limited residential; greenhouse/hothouse standards are specified. Notable overlay: Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay adds triggers for greenhouses on slopes 5–10%. See § 35-68 (AG-I) and overlay note in § 35-68.4.
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Minimum lot size: AG-I-5, -10, -20, -40 acres as mapped (§ 35-68.6).
    • Setbacks: 50 ft from street centerline and 20 ft from right-of-way; 20 ft side and rear; additional separations for greenhouses; R-1/E-1 setbacks apply if lot ≤1 acre (§ 35-68.7).
    • Lot coverage: Greenhouses/hothouses limited to 75% (<5 ac), 70% (5–9.99 ac), 65% (≥10 ac) (§ 35-68.8).
    • Height: 35 ft max (§ 35-68.9).
  • Where it applies: Mapped AG-I lands in the unincorporated coastal zone.

RR — Rural Residential

  • Purpose and typical uses: Low-density rural homes; accessory uses typical of rural living. Not found in retrieved materials for a formal purpose statement.
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Minimum lot size/width: RR-5 to RR-100 mapped; 5–100 acres; 250 ft width (§ 35-70.6).
    • Setbacks: 50 ft from street centerline and 20 ft from right-of-way; 20 ft side and rear; R-1/E-1 setbacks apply if lot ≤1 acre (§ 35-70.7).
    • Height: 35 ft max (§ 35-70.8).
  • Where it applies: Mapped RR lands in the unincorporated coastal zone.

R-1/E-1 — Single-Family Residential

  • Purpose: Reserve appropriately located neighborhoods for family living; protect residential character (§ 35-71.1).
  • Typical permitted uses: One single-family dwelling per legal lot; ADUs/JADUs per § 35-142; guest house/artist studio with conditions (§ 35-71.3).
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Minimum lot size/width: 7-R-1 through 20-R-1 (7,000–20,000 sf net) and 1–10-E-1 (1–10 ac gross), widths 65–380 ft (§ 35-71.6).
    • Setbacks: Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft right-of-way; side = 10% of lot width with min/max bands by lot size; rear 25 ft (15 ft next to permanent open space or denied-access street) (§ 35-71.7).
    • Height: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Where it applies: Single-family neighborhoods mapped R-1/E-1 in the coastal zone.

R-2 — Two-Family Residential

  • Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials. Uses with permits include kennels/golf (CUP) and limited plant protection structures (MCUP) (§§ 35-72.4–.5).
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Minimum lot size/width: 7-R-2 to 30-R-2 (7,000–30,000 sf net; widths 65–110 ft) (§ 35-72.6).
    • Setbacks: Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft right-of-way; side 10% of width with 5–10 ft band; rear 25 ft (15 ft with dedicated open space/denied-access street) (§ 35-72.7).
    • Distance between buildings: 5 ft min (§ 35-72.9).
    • Height: 25 ft max (§ 35-72.10).
  • Where it applies: Two-family neighborhoods mapped R-2 in the coastal zone.

EX-1 — One-Family Exclusive Residential (Hope Ranch)

  • Purpose: Tailored single-family district for Hope Ranch area (§ 35-73.1).
  • Typical permitted uses: One single-family dwelling per legal lot (§ 35-73.3).
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Minimum lot size/width: 1.5–3.5 acres; widths 150–225 ft (§ 35-73.5).
    • Setbacks: Front 75 ft centerline (125 ft on ≥80 ft ROW); side 25 ft (with equal-reduction formula for narrow lots); rear 25 ft; interior/no-frontage lots need 25 ft all sides (§ 35-73.6).
    • Distance between buildings: 50 ft between dwellings/guest house; 10–15 ft to other detached structures (§ 35-73.7).
    • Height: 25 ft max (§ 35-73.8).
  • Where it applies: Hope Ranch area mapped EX-1 in the coastal zone.

DR — Design Residential

  • Purpose: Enable comprehensively planned neighborhoods with single- and multiple-residential in a range of densities; create open space (§ 35-74.1).
  • Density: Assigned by map suffix (e.g., DR-4.6 = 4.6 du/ac); see DR-0.1 through DR-30 table (§ 35-74.7).
  • Setbacks: Front 20 ft from ROW and 50 ft from public street centerline (45 ft from private street centerline); side/rear = one-half building height (§ 35-74.8).
  • Height: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Where it applies: DR-mapped neighborhoods in the coastal zone.

PRD — Planned Residential Development

  • Density and lot size: No minimum lot size; total units capped by the Coastal Land Use Plan (CLUP) designation for the specific PRD site (§ 35-75.10).
  • Setbacks: No fixed standards; established through the approved Preliminary/Final Development Plan based on privacy, light/air, solar, configuration, and aesthetics (§ 35-75.11).
  • Lot coverage: 30% max for buildings with dwelling units; total building coverage capped at 50% of net site area (§ 35-75.12).
  • Height: 35 ft max (§ 35-75.13).
  • Parking: Division 6 applies, plus screening/design provisions (§ 35-75.14).
  • Where it applies: Parcels rezoned PRD per CLUP mapping in the coastal zone.

RES — Resource Management

  • Purpose: Conserve steep, sensitive, and hazard-prone lands; allow only limited development (§ 35-90.1).
  • Typical permitted uses: One single-family dwelling per legal lot; one ADU or JADU under § 35-142; guest house; grazing (§ 35-90.3).
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Minimum lot size: 40, 100, 320 acres by RES symbol (§ 35-90.7).
    • Setbacks: 50 ft from centerline of any street; 20 ft from lot lines (§ 35-90.8).
    • Height: 25 ft max (§ 35-90.9).
  • Where it applies: Resource-management lands mapped RES in the coastal zone.

MHP — Mobile Home Park

  • Purpose: Provide areas for mobile home parks with high standards of site planning and landscape design (§ 35-91.1).
  • Typical permitted uses: Mobile home park; resident-serving recreation; ADU/JADU per § 35-142 (§ 35-91.4).
  • Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials for setbacks/height/coverage; site planning occurs via Development Plans (§§ 35-91.2–.3).
  • Where it applies: Parcels designated MHP in the coastal zone.

Coastal-Dependent Industry (Article II § 35-87)

  • Typical uses: Coastal-dependent industry; limited “other uses” subject to § 35-87 standards (§ 35-87.3a).
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Setbacks: 50 ft centerline/20 ft ROW front; side 10 ft; rear 10 ft, but 50 ft if abutting a residential lot (§ 35-87.6).
    • Height: 45 ft max (§ 35-87.7).
    • Landscaping/screening: 5-ft perimeter landscaping; 6-ft walls next to residential; storage screening provisions (§ 35-87.9).
  • Parking: Division 6 applies (§ 35-87.8).

At-a-glance standards (selected districts in unincorporated coastal zone)

District Min Lot Size Front Setback Side Setback Rear Setback Height Coverage/Density Code Reference
AG-I 5–40 acres by symbol 50 ft centerline; 20 ft ROW 20 ft 20 ft 35 ft Greenhouse coverage 65–75% by lot size § 35-68.6, § 35-68.7, § 35-68.8, § 35-68.9
RR 5–100 acres by symbol 50 ft centerline; 20 ft ROW 20 ft 20 ft 35 ft — § 35-70.6, § 35-70.7, § 35-70.8
R-1/E-1 7,000–20,000 sf (R-1); 1–10 ac (E-1) 50 ft centerline; 20 ft ROW 10% lot width (5–20 ft bands) 25 ft (15 ft next to open space/denied-access street) Not found — § 35-71.6, § 35-71.7
R-2 7,000–30,000 sf by symbol 50 ft centerline; 20 ft ROW 10% lot width (5–10 ft) 25 ft (15 ft with open space/denied-access) 25 ft — § 35-72.6, § 35-72.7, § 35-72.10
EX-1 1.5–3.5 acres 75 ft centerline (125 ft if ≥80-ft ROW) 25 ft (equal-reduction formula for narrow lots) 25 ft 25 ft — § 35-73.5, § 35-73.6, § 35-73.8
DR By DR suffix (0.1–30 du/ac) 20 ft ROW; 50 ft public centerline (45 ft private) 1/2 building height 1/2 building height Not found DR table assigns density § 35-74.7, § 35-74.8
PRD No min lot; units capped by CLUP Set in Development Plan Set in Development Plan Set in Development Plan 35 ft 30% for dwelling buildings; 50% total building coverage § 35-75.10–.13
RES 40–320 acres by symbol 50 ft centerline 20 ft 20 ft 25 ft — § 35-90.7–.9
Coastal-Dependent Industry None stated 50 ft centerline; 20 ft ROW 10 ft 10 ft (50 ft next to residential) 45 ft — § 35-87.6–.7

Notes:

  • Many residential districts allow ADUs under state and local rules and § 35-142 of the County code; R-1/E-1 and RES explicitly reference § 35-142 in permitted uses (§ 35-71.3; § 35-90.3). State law preempts some local standards for minimum setbacks and height for ADUs.
  • Parking is governed by Division 6; most districts incorporate Division 6 by reference (e.g., RR § 35-70.9; R-2 § 35-72.11). See the County’s parking page for ratios and design.
  • Overlays and community plans can tighten heights or setbacks (e.g., Summerland commercial height or the Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay). Check the parcel’s overlays on the overlay districts page.

Overlay and area modifiers that change standards

  • Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay: Requires permits for certain greenhouse development on 5–10% slopes (§ 35-68.4(5)).
  • Summerland Community Plan (commercial example): Lower 22-ft height in the Commercial Core south of Lillie Ave/Ortega Hill Rd (§ 35-77A.9.a).
  • Industrial adjacency: Coastal-Dependent Industry requires a 50-ft rear setback next to residential (§ 35-87.6).
  • Board of Architectural Review guidelines can adjust form where authorized; “local design standards” may also apply (§ 35-144.4; § 35-144A). See design review.

Practical guidance

  • The most common pitfall is missing the dual front-yard rule: you must satisfy both the centerline and right-of-way setbacks where specified (e.g., R-1/E-1, R-2, DR). Cite: § 35-71.7; § 35-72.7; § 35-74.8.
  • Density works differently in DR and PRD: DR carries a numeric density suffix (DR-1.8 through DR-30); PRD density is set by the Coastal Land Use Plan for the specific property. Cite: § 35-74.7; § 35-75.10.
  • Where districts reference Division 6 for parking, also check any district-specific add-ons (e.g., screening, compact allowances in multi-residential) (§ 35-76.11).
  • If a project sits in an overlay or mapped community plan, expect additional limits beyond base zoning. See overlay districts.

Checklist

  • Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Santa Barbara County and which ordinance applies (coastal Article II vs. inland LUDC).
  • Identify your base district on the County zoning map (e.g., AG-I, RR, R-1/E-1, R-2, EX-1, DR, PRD, RES).
  • Check minimum lot size/width for your exact symbol/suffix (e.g., RR-10, DR-4.6) (§ 35-70.6; § 35-74.7).
  • Apply the correct front/side/rear setbacks, noting both centerline and right-of-way where required (§ 35-71.7; § 35-72.7; § 35-74.8).
  • Verify maximum building height and any local reductions (e.g., 25–35 ft in most residential; 22 ft in Summerland commercial core) (§ 35-72.10; § 35-75.13; § 35-77A.9).
  • If in DR or PRD, confirm density assigned by the map/CLUP and any plan-set setbacks/coverage (§ 35-74.7; § 35-75.10–.12).
  • Check Division 6 for parking and any district add-ons (§ 35-70.9; § 35-72.11; § 35-76.11).
  • Confirm overlays/community-plan modifiers (e.g., Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay; Summerland height) (§ 35-68.4(5); § 35-77A.9).
  • If adding an ADU/JADU, apply § 35-142 and state law guardrails; see California ADU law. Local references in R-1/E-1 and RES permitted uses (§ 35-71.3; § 35-90.3).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Centerline vs. right-of-way setbacks You must meet both; measuring from the wrong line can push a project into setback encroachment The exact mapped ROW width and the district’s centerline/ROW numbers (§ 35-71.7; § 35-72.7)
DR/PRD flexibility DR uses density suffixes; PRD has no standard setbacks—plan sets them The map’s DR suffix; PRD’s approved plan and CLUP density (§ 35-74.7; § 35-75.10–.11)
Overlay constraints Overlays can trump base heights/locations Any overlays (e.g., Summerland height; Carpinteria Ag Overlay) (§ 35-77A.9; § 35-68.4(5))
Industrial adjacency Extra rear setback next to residential If an industrial/commercial parcel abuts residential, apply the larger setback (§ 35-87.6)
FAR controls FAR is not a common control in retrieved coastal districts Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction
Inland vs. coastal regimes Standards differ between Article II (coastal) and the inland LUDC Which code applies to the parcel; confirm mapped boundary of the Coastal Zone

Information Gaps

  • R-1/E-1 and DR height limits were not located in the retrieved excerpts. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • MHP dimensional standards (setbacks/coverage) were not located. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • No floor area ratio (FAR) standards were found for the coastal districts reviewed. Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building in unincorporated Santa Barbara County’s coastal zone, start by finding your zoning district. That district sets your minimum lot size, front/side/rear setbacks (often measured from both the road centerline and the right-of-way), and a height cap that typically ranges from 25 to 35 feet. Some neighborhoods (DR/PRD) use mapped density numbers instead of simple lot sizes, and overlays like Summerland or Carpinteria’s agricultural overlay can further tighten heights or setbacks. When in doubt, check your district chapter, parking rules, any overlay districts, and whether an ADU fits under § 35-142 and state law.

Source References

  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: AG-I standards — § 35-68.6, § 35-68.7, § 35-68.8, § 35-68.9; Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay reference — § 35-68.4(5).
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: RR — § 35-70.6–.9.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: R-1/E-1 — § 35-71.1, § 35-71.3, § 35-71.6–.7.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: R-2 — § 35-72.4–.7, § 35-72.9–.11.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: EX-1 — § 35-73.1, § 35-73.3, § 35-73.5–.9.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: DR — § 35-74.1, § 35-74.7–.8.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: PRD — § 35-75.10–.16.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: RES — § 35-90.1–.3, § 35-90.7–.10.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: Coastal-Dependent Industry — § 35-87.3a, § 35-87.6–.9.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: Summerland commercial height — § 35-77A.9.
  • Coastal Zoning Ordinance, Article II: Design review/local standards — § 35-144.4; § 35-144A.
  • State ADU law overview (context): 2025 California ADU handbook excerpts.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-75.13) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-72.6.1) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-70.6) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-87.3a) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-75.9) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-90.7.1) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-144U.) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Article and) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-68.6.1) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-89.10) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-70.8) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-72.8) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-71.6.1) High relevance
  • Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-77A.7) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1/E-1 lot in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?

R-1/E-1 allows one single-family dwelling per legal lot. It also allows one or more accessory dwelling units and/or one junior ADU consistent with § 35-142, plus a guest house or artist studio subject to general regulations (§ 35-71.3). Always verify your minimum lot size and setbacks in § 35-71.6–.7 before drawing plans.

What are the standard setbacks for R-2 (Two-Family) lots?

Front yards must be at least 50 feet from the street centerline and 20 feet from the right-of-way. Side yards are 10% of lot width but cannot be less than 5 feet or more than 10 feet; the rear yard is 25 feet, or 15 feet next to permanent open space or a denied-access street (§ 35-72.7).

How is density set in DR (Design Residential) zones?

DR density is assigned by a number after “DR” on the map (e.g., DR-4.6 = 4.6 dwelling units per gross acre). The ordinance provides a full table from DR-0.1 up to DR-30 (§ 35-74.7). Setbacks also differ, using one-half the building’s height for sides/rear (§ 35-74.8).

Do PRD projects have fixed setbacks and lot coverage?

No. PRD has no standard setback table; setbacks are established through the project’s Preliminary and Final Development Plans considering privacy, light/air, solar, and aesthetics (§ 35-75.11). Lot coverage is capped at 30% for buildings with dwelling units, and total building coverage at 50% of net site (§ 35-75.12).

What height limits apply in residential districts?

In the retrieved coastal districts, R-2 and EX-1 cap height at 25 feet (§§ 35-72.10; 35-73.8). RR and PRD allow up to 35 feet (§§ 35-70.8; 35-75.13). R-1/E-1 and DR height limits were not found in the retrieved materials—verify before finalizing design.

What setbacks apply to agricultural greenhouses in AG-I?

AG-I has base setbacks of 50 ft from centerline/20 ft from ROW, with added buffers: no greenhouses within 30 ft of ROW or 50 ft of a residential lot, plus an extra 30-ft setback on lots ≥5 acres. R-1/E-1 setbacks apply if the lot is ≤1 acre (§ 35-68.7). Greenhouse lot coverage is limited to 65–75%, depending on lot size (§ 35-68.8).

Are special setbacks required when industry abuts housing?

Yes. In the coastal-dependent industry district, the rear setback increases from 10 feet to 50 feet when the rear boundary abuts a residentially zoned lot (§ 35-87.6).

Do I need to provide on-site parking, or can I use nearby spaces?

Division 6 sets base parking rules, and several districts allow nearby parking within 500 feet or other design adjustments (e.g., multi-residential standards in § 35-76.11). Check your district’s parking section and Division 6; start with the County’s parking page.

Can I add an ADU if my lot is nonconforming for size or setbacks?

Many districts allow ADUs per § 35-142, and state law limits how setbacks and lot size can block an ADU. Local permitted-use lists for R-1/E-1 and RES explicitly allow ADUs/JADUs (§ 35-71.3; § 35-90.3). Apply state guardrails as well.

Where do I find height or design tweaks for scenic/historic areas?

Height and design can be shaped by local standards and the Board of Architectural Review; see §§ 35-144.4 and 35-144A and the County’s design review page. Overlay districts (e.g., Summerland) may also impose distinct height caps (§ 35-77A.9).

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