Santa Barbara County — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Land use in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County is governed by County Code Chapter 35, including the Coastal Zoning Ordinance, which implements the Local Coastal Program in mapped coastal areas. The ordinance organizes land into base zoning districts and special purpose/overlay districts, then assigns allowable uses and required permit types by district. Where required, projects must also obtain a Coastal Development Permit and/or Land Use Permit in addition to any other approvals the code identifies for a specific use or district (e.g., Conditional Use Permits). See the County’s zoning overview and Zoning pages for context.

Plain-English rule of thumb: Conditional Use Permits are reserved for uses that are essential or desirable but have special characteristics or potential effects that warrant case-specific review under findings in the ordinance (§ 35-172.1; Coastal Zoning Ordinance).

How the code expresses “land use” in unincorporated areas

• Permit categories in the coastal zone include PP (Principal Permitted Use), P (Permitted), MCUP (Minor CUP), CUP (Major CUP), plus Coastal Development Permits and Land Use Permits when applicable (§ 35-169; § 35-178, and use tables for the Gaviota Coast Plan area).
• Uses not listed in the applicable allowed-uses table for a mapped area are generally not allowed unless expressly provided (e.g., resource-dependent uses, or where a “similar use” determination is authorized; Gaviota Coast Plan area tables).
• Key development standards (setbacks, height, lot size, coverage) are codified district-by-district and work together with broader Development Standards, Parking, and Design Review where applicable.

District-by-District: Allowed Uses and Core Standards

Below are high-signal districts actually named in Chapter 35, with where they apply, typical uses, and dimensional rules that directly affect whether a given use can fit on a site in the unincorporated areas.

PRD — Planned Residential Development

• Purpose. Flexible residential district used in mapped PRD areas of the Coastal Land Use Plan to achieve site-specific design solutions; standards are set through plan approvals, not one-size-fits-all (§ 35-75.9; § 35-75.11).
• Typical permitted uses. Residential uses and related resident-serving common facilities (e.g., laundry, meeting rooms), plus where required in the Coastal Plan, resort visitor-serving facilities (§ 35-75.14; § 35-75.16; § 35-75.8).
• Key dimensional standards. No standard setbacks; they are set on the approved plans. Max building coverage: 30% for dwelling buildings and never more than 50% total; max height: 35 ft (§ 35-75.11; § 35-75.12; § 35-75.13).
• Where it applies. Only on parcels mapped PRD in the County’s coastal zoning maps (§ 35-75.9).

SR-M — SR-M Residential (mapped density suffix)

• Purpose. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical permitted uses. Residential; one or more Accessory Dwelling Units and/or one Junior ADU per legal lot when approved per § 35-142; home occupations and various community-serving accessory uses are listed (§ 35-76.5; § 35-142).
• Key dimensional standards. District density is denoted by a suffix (e.g., SR-M-8 or SR-M-18). Minimum net lot width 65 ft; minimum net lot area 7,000 sq ft (§ 35-76.6).
• Where it applies. As shown by SR-M and its density suffix on the County zoning map (§ 35-76.6).
• Note. State ADU rules also apply; see California ADU law.

R-2 — Two-Family Residential (zoning symbol “R-2” with lot-size prefixes)

• Purpose. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical uses. Uses permitted with Minor CUP include small greenhouses/hothouses (300–800 sf limit), private kennels, and accessory day care centers per § 35-143; additional “Major CUP” uses also apply (§ 35-72.5; § 35-72.4).
• Key dimensional standards. Minimum net lot size and width vary by symbol (e.g., 7-R-2 → 7,000 sq ft/65 ft; 10-R-2 → 10,000 sq ft/80 ft; 20-R-2 → 20,000 sq ft/100 ft) (§ 35-72.6).
• Where it applies. As indicated by the R-2 symbol on County zoning maps (§ 35-72.6).

RES — Resource Management

• Purpose. Manage low-intensity uses in resource areas; additional findings required to ensure topography, erosion, and habitat are protected when considering CUPs (§ 35-90.6).
• Typical uses. Major CUPs may allow low-intensity recreation (camps), campgrounds, resource-dependent uses (mining/quarrying), onshore oil facilities (per Division 9), aquaculture, and cultivated agriculture (§ 35-90.4). Artist studios may be allowed with a Minor CUP (§ 35-90.5).
• Key dimensional standards. Minimum lot sizes: RES-40, RES-100, RES-320; setbacks: 50 ft from street centerline and 20 ft from lot lines; max height: 25 ft (§ 35-90.7; § 35-90.8; § 35-90.9).
• Where it applies. As indicated by RES symbols on the County’s zoning maps (§ 35-90.7).

TC — Transportation Corridor

• Purpose. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical uses. Minor CUPs may allow open-field agricultural cultivation and temporary loading and shipping facilities under limited terms (§ 35-93.5). Performance standards control storage, nuisance/safety, and transportation corridor coordination (§ 35-93.6).
• Key dimensional standards. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Where it applies. As indicated by TC symbols on zoning maps (Division 4 reference in § 35-93).

MT‑TORO — Mt. Toro Special District

• Purpose. Steep-slope/resource protection with added CUP findings for erosion, slopes, habitat, and topographic change (§ 35-93A.6; § 35-93A.7).
• Typical uses. Select agricultural and accessory uses; artist studio and new cultivation/orchard/vineyard uses may be allowed with a Minor CUP subject to detailed conservation/grading plans (§ 35-93A.5; § 35-93A.7).
• Key dimensional standards. Minimum lot sizes: MT‑TORO‑40/100/320; setbacks: 50 ft from street centerline and 20 ft from lot lines; max height: 25 ft; minimum 5 ft between buildings (§ 35-93A.8; § 35-93A.9; § 35-93A.10; § 35-93A.11).
• Where it applies. Parcels mapped MT‑TORO on County zoning maps (§ 35-93A.8).

MHP — Mobile Home Park

• Purpose. Provide areas for mobile home parks with standards for safe, attractive residential environments; rezoning requires a preliminary development plan (§ 35-91.1; § 35-91.2).
• Typical uses. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key dimensional standards. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Where it applies. Parcels zoned MHP per the County zoning map (§ 35-91).

Countywide use categories and overlays that affect “what can go where”

• Cannabis. Commercial cannabis activities have a countywide use table assigning PP/P/CUP by zone (e.g., Outdoor Cultivation is PP in AG‑I/AG‑II; Distribution is PP/P in AG‑I/AG‑II and PP in M‑RP). All cannabis activities must comply with § 35‑144U and the permit matrix in that section’s tables (§ 35‑144U; Cannabis permit tables).
• Temporary uses/events. Seasonal sales lots, certain receptions/charitable functions, rodeos/equestrian events, and similar activities are regulated as temporary uses, often requiring a Minor CUP and Coastal Development Permit with specific thresholds and standards (§ 35‑137.3; § 35‑137.4).
• Airport/Land Use compatibility. Height and use restrictions apply within Airport Clear and Approach Zones; certain high-occupancy uses are generally not permitted in approach zones and maximum heights are tightly scaled by distance to runways (§ 35‑100.5).
• Coastal development permits. In mapped coastal areas, development and many land uses require a Coastal Development Permit in addition to any zone-specific permit requirement (e.g., PP, P, MCUP, CUP) (§ 35‑169 and use-table notations). Link early to Overlay Districts when coastal or airport overlays are present.

At‑a‑glance: Key standards that often decide feasibility

Also check Parking because several districts defer to Division 6 – Parking Regulations for stalls and configurations (e.g., RES, PRD reference Division 6).

Practical notes

• ADUs/JADUs. The ordinance expressly allows ADUs/JADUs with § 35‑142 in residential contexts; State law sets baselines. See California housing laws and California ADU law.
• Nonconforming uses. If a use predates current zoning, see Nonconforming Uses for rules on continuation/change.
• Landscaping. Some use approvals (e.g., agricultural processing under Major CUP) require landscape plans—coordinate early with Landscaping and Screening (§ 35‑68.4).

Checklist

• Confirm your parcel’s base district and any overlays in unincorporated Santa Barbara County (e.g., PRD, RES, TC, MT‑TORO; Airport, Coastal).
• Identify the use category and permit type in your district; if coastal, determine whether PP/P/MCUP/CUP applies and whether a Coastal Development Permit is also required (§ 35‑169; § 35‑172; § 35‑178; cannabis table where relevant).
• Check dimensional feasibility: minimum lot size/width, setbacks, height, and any district coverage caps (see PRD, RES, SR‑M, MT‑TORO standards above).
• Review Parking and Development Standards that are incorporated by reference in your district.
• If in an overlay (Airport, Coastal, plan areas), verify height/use limitations and any plan-specific conditions (§ 35‑100.5; § 35‑75.9).
• For temporary events or cannabis, use the dedicated use sections to confirm permit requirements and thresholds (§ 35‑137.3; § 35‑137.4; § 35‑144U).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, what you can do on your land depends first on your zoning district, then on any overlay zones. Districts like PRD, RES, TC, MT‑TORO, SR‑M, and MHP have their own allowed-use lists and limiters like minimum lot size, setbacks, height, and coverage. Many uses are permitted outright, while others need Minor or Major Conditional Use Permits; coastal parcels often also need a Coastal Development Permit. Start by verifying your district and overlays, then confirm your use and its required permits and standards.

Source References

• Coastal Zoning Ordinance administrative and permit framework, including Conditional Use Permits (§ 35‑172.1 et seq.; Coastal Zoning Ordinance).
• Coastal permit framework and allowed-use table notation (§ 35‑169; Gaviota Coast Plan area allowed-uses tables).
• PRD standards and parameters (§ 35‑75.8 through § 35‑75.16).
• SR‑M allowed accessory uses and density/lot standards (§ 35‑76.5; § 35‑76.6; § 35‑142).
• R‑2 Minor/ Major CUP uses and lot/width standards (§ 35‑72.4; § 35‑72.5; § 35‑72.6).
• RES allowed uses, findings, and standards (§ 35‑90.4 through § 35‑90.10).
• TC Minor CUP and performance standards (§ 35‑93.5; § 35‑93.6).
• MT‑TORO allowed uses, findings, and standards (§ 35‑93A.5 through § 35‑93A.12).
• Temporary uses and standards (§ 35‑137.3; § 35‑137.4).
• Airport overlay height/use restrictions (§ 35‑100.5).
• Cannabis siting matrix and permits (§ 35‑144U; cannabis tables).

Retrieved passages

• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 65900) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-68.4) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-90.4) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-75.9) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-131) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-51B) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-144U.) High relevance show source text
• Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Chapter 15A) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Coastal Zoning Ordinance administrative and permit framework, including Conditional Use Permits (§ 35‑172.1 et seq.; Coastal Zoning Ordinance). (§ 35)
• Coastal permit framework and allowed-use table notation (§ 35‑169; Gaviota Coast Plan area allowed-uses tables). (§ 35)
• PRD standards and parameters (§ 35‑75.8 through § 35‑75.16). (§ 35)
• SR‑M allowed accessory uses and density/lot standards (§ 35‑76.5; § 35‑76.6; § 35‑142). (§ 35)
• R‑2 Minor/ Major CUP uses and lot/width standards (§ 35‑72.4; § 35‑72.5; § 35‑72.6). (§ 35)
• RES allowed uses, findings, and standards (§ 35‑90.4 through § 35‑90.10). (§ 35)
• TC Minor CUP and performance standards (§ 35‑93.5; § 35‑93.6). (§ 35)
• MT‑TORO allowed uses, findings, and standards (§ 35‑93A.5 through § 35‑93A.12). (§ 35)
• Temporary uses and standards (§ 35‑137.3; § 35‑137.4). (§ 35)
• Airport overlay height/use restrictions (§ 35‑100.5). (§ 35)
• Cannabis siting matrix and permits (§ 35‑144U; cannabis tables). (§ 35)
• SantaBarbaraCounty_ZoningCode.md

• Official Santa Barbara County code library