Santa Barbara County — Historic Preservation

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County, “historic preservation” is implemented through specific provisions of the County’s zoning/planning ordinances rather than a single, stand‑alone historic overlay. Key controls appear in the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (Article II) and countywide use regulations for topics such as ADUs, nonconforming structures, archaeological resources, and specialized uses. Several provisions require review by the County’s Historical Landmarks Advisory Commission (HLAC) when work involves a designated County Historic Landmark. See the County’s broader zoning overview and Zoning pages for context.

Most important rule: If your structure is a designated County Historic Landmark, structural alterations to a nonconforming landmark require HLAC approval and cannot conflict with Local Coastal Program resource protections. See § 35-162 (Nonconforming Buildings and Structures).

How the County code protects historic resources (unincorporated areas)

• ADUs near designated or eligible historic resources must follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards; a County‑approved historian’s written assessment is required for detached ADUs on such lots (§ 35-142).
• Archaeological and other cultural sites: avoid impacts where feasible; if not feasible, require mitigation per State Office of Historic Preservation and Native American Heritage Commission guidelines (§ 35-65).
• Nonconforming structures: Historic landmarks may be enlarged, reconstructed, relocated, or structurally altered if HLAC determines the work preserves the landmark long‑term; permits (CDP/LUP) are required before such alterations (§§ 35-161, 35-162; § 35-162 cross‑references § 35-169 and § 35-178 for required permits).
• Telecommunication facilities on historic landmarks need HLAC review/approval (§ 35-144F).

Applicability by topic (unincorporated areas)

Are there County “Historic Districts” or a Historic Overlay?

• Dedicated historic preservation overlay districts for unincorporated areas were not located in the retrieved ordinance materials. Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction. See Overlay Districts for currently mapped overlays.
• The Coastal Zoning Ordinance (Article II) governs the coastal zone and contains archaeological/cultural resource policies, CDP procedures, and area/community plan layers; these functionally shape historic resource protection where applicable (§§ 35-50 et seq.; § 35-65; permit cross‑refs in § 35-162).

Topic-by-topic standards and procedures

ADUs near historic resources — § 35-142

• The County prohibits placing an ADU within/attached to/on the same lot as a resource that is listed or eligible for the California/National Registers or designated/eligible as a County Historic Landmark/Place of Historic Merit unless the work complies with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. A County‑approved historian’s assessment is required for detached ADUs on such lots (§ 35-142).
• ADUs must also observe coastal archaeological protections: minimum 50‑ft setback from identified archaeological/tribal cultural resource boundaries, with submittal of a professional assessment if within 100 feet (§ 35-142).
• Coordinate these local rules with California ADU law. The County’s ADU standards are objective and implemented ministerially where state law requires, but they expressly guard historic resources (§ 35-142).

Nonconforming historic landmarks — §§ 35-161 and 35-162

• A structure designated as a County Historic Landmark may be enlarged, reconstructed, relocated, or structurally altered if HLAC has reviewed/approved the changes and finds they preserve the landmark long term (§§ 35-161, 35-162).
• For residential buildings 50 years or older, the Director must determine that proposed exterior‑neutral alterations will not detrimentally affect any potential historic significance before authorizing certain alterations to nonconforming structures (§ 35-162(2)(d)).
• Before any allowed alteration under these exceptions, a Coastal Development Permit and/or Land Use Permit is required where applicable (cross‑referenced in § 35-162(1)(a)(3) to § 35-169 and § 35-178).

Archaeological and cultural resource protection (coastal) — § 35-65

• Project design must avoid impacts to archaeological or other cultural sites where possible; if avoidance isn’t feasible, adequate mitigation is required, prepared to state standards; Native American consultation is required for significant sites (§ 35-65).
• These policies work alongside other Development Standards and may affect grading, siting, and timing of work.

Telecom facilities on landmarks — § 35-144F

• Commercial telecom facilities proposed in or on County‑designated historical landmarks require HLAC review/approval, and must meet siting/height/visual compatibility standards (§ 35-144F).

Design review interface

• Separate from historic review, projects in certain areas may be subject to design review by a Board of Architectural Review (BAR), including objective architectural and siting criteria (example: Toro Canyon standards at § 35-194.6). Historic review (HLAC) is distinct and additive where triggered (§ 35-194.6).

Practical notes

• Permit pathway: In the coastal zone, many “developments” require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP); § 35-162 explicitly ties structural alterations to obtaining a CDP and/or Land Use Permit first (§ 35-162(1)(a)(3)).
• Nonconforming vs. conforming: Historic allowances are narrow and conditioned on HLAC findings; ordinary nonconforming rules still constrain expansions/intensifications (§§ 35-161–35-162). See Nonconforming Uses for the baseline framework.
• Don’t conflate zoning with building code. Seismic retrofits are allowed even on nonconforming structures but must comply with the California Building Standards Code; zoning references this as an allowed exception (§ 35-162).

Checklist

• Confirm your property’s status: Is it a County Historic Landmark or Place of Historic Merit, and/or is it listed/eligible for State or National Registers? If yes, plan for HLAC and Secretary’s Standards compliance where applicable. Verify with the jurisdiction. Reference terms appear in § 35-142.
• For ADUs on/near historic resources: Prepare a design that complies with the Secretary’s Standards and obtain a historian’s assessment for detached ADUs; observe archaeological/tribal buffers (§ 35-142).
• For work on nonconforming landmarks: Seek HLAC review/approval; confirm no conflicts with coastal resource protections; obtain required CDP/LUP before work (§§ 35-161, 35-162).
• If within the coastal zone and near cultural sites: Commission archaeological studies; design to avoid impacts or propose mitigation and consultation as required (§ 35-65).
• For telecom equipment on landmarks: Route through HLAC and meet all telecom siting standards (§ 35-144F).
• If applicable, coordinate with Parking, Development Standards, and BAR Design Review requirements referenced by your permit pathway.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, “historic preservation” lives inside topic‑specific zoning rules. If your site or structure is a County Historic Landmark—or you’re adding an ADU on a historically significant lot—expect HLAC review and strict standards that protect historic fabric. In the coastal zone, archaeological protections and permits also shape what you can do and where.

Source References

• Coastal Zoning Ordinance Article II overview (§§ 35-50–35-51)
• Archaeology standards (§ 35-65)
• ADUs: Historic resource and archaeological/tribal cultural resource standards (§ 35-142)
• Nonconforming uses and structures; historic landmark exceptions and permit cross‑references (§§ 35-161, 35-162; § 35-162(1)(a)(3))
• Telecom on landmarks (§ 35-144F)
• Example BAR design standards (Toro Canyon) (§ 35-194.6)

Retrieved passages

• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-144A) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 15064.5) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-63.) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (§ 41) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 3.9) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-93.7) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-93A.) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (§ 65915) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-160.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 35 (Section 35-154.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 35 (Section 35-58) Medium relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-65.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 30611 (Section 35-58) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Coastal Zoning Ordinance Article II overview (§§ 35-50–35-51) (Article II)
• Archaeology standards (§ 35-65) (§ 35-65)
• ADUs: Historic resource and archaeological/tribal cultural resource standards (§ 35-142) (§ 35-142)
• Nonconforming uses and structures; historic landmark exceptions and permit cross‑references (§§ 35-161, 35-162; § 35-162(1)(a)(3)) (§ 35-161)
• Telecom on landmarks (§ 35-144F) (§ 35-144F)
• Example BAR design standards (Toro Canyon) (§ 35-194.6) (§ 35-194.6)
• SantaBarbaraCounty_ZoningCode.md

• Official Santa Barbara County code library