Local zoning · Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County — Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and Screening 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 translates Santa Barbara County’s zoning rules for landscaping, screening, and perimeter fencing into plain English for projects in the unincorporated areas. Most requirements live in the County’s Coastal Zoning Ordinance within County Code Chapter 35; inland areas may rely on parallel provisions, but this page cites the sections we could confirm. To use them correctly, always start with your base zone and any overlays listed on the zoning & planning overview and then layer on the countywide development standards and use-specific rules.

The single most common trigger: non-residential parking must be visually screened along property lines with a 5-foot planted strip or a solid wall/fence, and large lots must add trees and islands as part of a landscape plan (§ 35-115).

Countywide baselines that show up on many projects

Parking lot screening. Where non-residential parking abuts residential property, build a solid wall/fence at least 5 feet high. Provide a 5-foot-wide planted strip or a 4-foot ornamental wall/fence along property lines; keep screening at driveways ≤30 inches high within 25 feet of entrances/exits. Lots with more than 3,600 square feet of uncovered parking must submit a landscape plan with trees, planting islands and curbing (§ 35-115).
Fences, walls, gates. In all non-agricultural zones, front setback fences/walls up to 6 feet and gateposts up to 8 feet are exempt; side/rear up to 8 feet and gateposts up to 10 feet are exempt. Taller elements need permits; corner-lot vision clearance also applies (§ 35-123).
Landscape plan submittal. When a landscape plan is required (by district or permit), it must be prepared by a landscape architect; the County may require a performance security to guarantee installation and maintenance (§ 35-174.5).

Districts and overlays with explicit landscaping/screening controls (unincorporated areas)

M‑CD — Coastal Dependent Industry

Purpose. Provides sites for energy/industrial uses that require a shoreline location (§ 35-87.1).
Where it applies. In mapped coastal industrial areas of the unincorporated County.
Core screening standards. Landscape all property lines with a minimum 5-foot planted strip; add a 6-foot masonry wall where the lot abuts residential or commercial districts. Screen outdoor storage with a 6-foot wall/fence, set at least 5 feet back from the street; landscape the street side of that wall. If stored materials/equipment exceed 6 feet, add an approved row of trees to create continuous screening to about 20–40 feet at maturity (§ 35-87.9).
Typical uses and notes. Coastal energy/industrial operations; parking per Division 6; development plans often invoke Board of Architectural Review depending on permit path. Coordinate with Design Review early.

Marine Terminals (use-specific standards)

Where permitted. As a use, marine terminals are allowed in the Coastal Related Industry district and, if proven coastal-dependent, also in M‑CD (§ 35-156, Permitted Districts).
Screening standards. Landscape property lines sufficiently to screen buildings/structures; add a 6‑foot masonry wall where any portion of a lot abuts a residential district. Screen outdoor storage from street view with a 6‑foot wall/fence located at least 5 feet from the right‑of‑way; landscape the street side. Where stored materials exceed 6 feet, plant an approved row of trees to screen to roughly 20–40 feet at maturity (§ 35-156, Development Standards g–h).
Practical tip. Tree rows used for screening should be selected in consultation with the County Landscape Planner during your Design Review process.

TC — Transportation Corridor

Purpose. Preserves/protects transportation corridors and regulates adjacent land uses (§ 35-93.1).
Where it applies. Designated transportation corridors in unincorporated areas.
Core landscaping standards. Install and maintain landscaping per the approved Final Development Plan; use drought‑tolerant native species to the maximum extent feasible; preserve scenic and visual amenities along corridors, including U.S. 101, to the maximum extent feasible (§ 35-93.10).
Related standards. Setbacks, height, and Parking also apply in TC (§§ 35‑93.7 to 35‑93.9).

PRD — Planned Residential Development District

Where it applies. Approved PRD sites in unincorporated areas.
Core landscaping/screening standards. Install and maintain landscaping per the Final Development Plan. Along any PRD side/rear yard abutting non‑PRD zoning, provide an “adequate buffer” using fencing, walls, plant materials, or a combination, to mitigate noise/light and separate uses; depict it on preliminary/final plans (§ 35-75.17).
Practical note. PRDs carry substantial open space/maintenance obligations; confirm HOA maintenance responsibilities for landscaping early (§ 35‑75.18).

CA — Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay (greenhouses and related development)

Where it applies. Carpinteria Valley CA Overlay District.
Core screening standards. A landscaping plan must screen structures and parking from adjacent public roads and view corridors within five years; front‑setback landscaping should step up in height away from roads; do not rely on solid wall fencing as the primary screen, and screen chain‑link/security fencing with dense landscaping or vines. Preserve perimeter trees where feasible; maintain all landscaping for the life of the project and post performance security to ensure timely screening (§ 35-102F.9.A.1).

Multi‑unit and mixed‑use design standards (landscaping components)

Where it applies. Multi‑unit and mixed‑use projects subject to Chapter 35‑144B in unincorporated areas.
Core landscaping minimums. Provide a 5‑foot landscape buffer between ground‑level restricted open spaces and pedestrian walkways; flank sidewalks with landscaping and trees to shade at least 50% of walkway length at maturity; plant at least one 15‑gallon tree and ten 5‑gallon shrubs per 1,000 sf of required landscape area; cover 75% of landscape areas with groundcover within five years and mulch while establishing; avoid artificial plants (and artificial turf in front/street‑side setbacks). Use landscaping to provide privacy screening and preserve solar access (§ 35-144B).

Commercial district with explicit screens at property edges

Core landscaping/screening. Minimum 5% of net lot area landscaped; provide a 6‑foot ornamental masonry wall plus an approved row of trees (20–40 feet screening at maturity) where a side/rear boundary abuts residential; where a street faces residential zoning on the far side, install an ornamental wall at least 3 feet high set back 3 feet and landscape that strip (Director/Commission may modify based on conditions) (§ 35-80.10).
Note. The retrieved excerpt did not include the district name tied to § 35‑80; confirm the base zone that uses these standards before applying them. Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials.

Key standards at a glance

Topic	Requirement (unincorporated areas)	Code Reference
Parking next to residential	Solid wall/fence ≥5 ft along the shared edge	§ 35-115
Property-line screening (many commercial/industrial coastal uses)	5‑ft planted strip at property lines; add 6‑ft masonry wall where abutting residential; screen outdoor storage; add tree row if stored materials exceed 6 ft	§ 35-87.9; § 35-156 (g–h)
Large parking areas	Landscape plan with trees/islands for uncovered parking >3,600 sf; curb protection	§ 35-115(4)
Fences/walls in setbacks	Front: up to 6 ft exempt; side/rear: up to 8 ft exempt; taller requires permit; meet vision-clearance rules	§ 35-123
Transportation corridors	Drought‑tolerant natives; preserve scenic amenities; install per Final Development Plan	§ 35-93.10
PRD buffers	Fence/wall/planting buffer along PRD edges abutting non‑PRD zones	§ 35-75.17
CA Overlay (greenhouses)	Screen within 5 years; don’t rely on solid walls; screen chain‑link with landscaping; performance security required	§ 35-102F.9.A.1
Multi‑unit/mixed‑use minimums	1 tree (15‑gal) + 10 shrubs (5‑gal) per 1,000 sf required landscape; 5‑ft buffers; 75% groundcover; no artificial plants in front/street‑side setbacks	§ 35-144B

How landscaping ties into other County processes

Development plans and BAR. Many projects need a landscape plan as part of a Preliminary/Final Development Plan; the Board of Architectural Review often conditions planting palettes, screening, and maintenance. See Design Review and Development Standards. Requirements for landscape-plan contents and securities appear in § 35‑174.5.
Overlays. Visual-resource overlays and special plans (e.g., Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay) can tighten or redirect screening to protect public views; check Overlay Districts and your Community Plan before you finalize a palette or wall detail (§ 35‑102F.9).
Parking. Parking area screening is one of the most frequently applied rules; coordinate with Parking standards to avoid redesigns (§ 35‑115).
Variations. If strict compliance is infeasible on a constrained site, discuss relief through Variances and Exceptions. Some sections expressly allow limited modifications (e.g., § 35‑80.10(3)).

Checklist

Confirm your base zone on the Zoning map and whether your site is in an overlay on Overlay Districts.
Identify which landscape/screening standards apply: countywide (§ 35‑115; § 35‑123) and district/use-specific (e.g., § 35‑87.9; § 35‑93.10; § 35‑75.17; § 35‑102F.9; § 35‑144B).
Draft a landscape plan (by a landscape architect when required) that demonstrates all screens, planting types/sizes, irrigation, maintenance, and any required tree rows; include performance security if applicable (§ 35‑174.5).
Design parking lot screening, islands, and tree placement to meet § 35‑115 and your district’s standards; keep sight triangles clear at driveways.
Choose fence/wall heights and locations that meet § 35‑123; confirm if a Coastal Development Permit is triggered by height/placement.
For coastal, corridor, or greenhouse projects, document how planting protects scenic corridors and view sheds (e.g., TC and CA Overlay standards).
Route the plan through Design Review if required by your permit path.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Coastal vs. inland applicability	Chapter 35 citations are from the Coastal Zoning Ordinance; inland sites may have parallel but not identical rules	Confirm which ordinance applies to your site before final design; ask Planning if an inland analog governs your parcel
Unclear district label at § 35‑80	The retrieved excerpt shows strong commercial screening rules but not the district title	Verify your base zone before applying § 35‑80.10; if uncertain, request staff confirmation
Scenic/view protection interplay	TC and CA Overlay standards can override typical palette/height choices	Early BAR consult; ensure landscaping doesn’t block public mountain/ocean views (§ 35‑93.10; § 35‑102F.9)
Fence height vs. safety sightlines	Taller screens can conflict with driveway vision clearance	Coordinate § 35‑123 heights with corner/driveway visibility and any BAR conditions
Performance securities	Posting/bonding requirements affect budget and timing	Whether your project type or location triggers securities under § 35‑174.5 or § 35‑102F.9
Multi‑unit planting minimums	Missed counts or buffer widths can delay approvals	Tally trees/shrubs and buffers per § 35‑144B early; integrate with Parking layouts

Plain-English Summary

In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, almost every non-residential site needs visual screening: think planted edges, low walls, and tree rows around parking or storage. Industrial/coastal uses add stronger edges (6‑foot masonry walls and tree lines), transportation corridors insist on drought‑tolerant natives and scenic protection, PRDs require buffer planting, and greenhouses in Carpinteria must screen themselves from roads and view corridors. Your safest path is to confirm the base zone/overlays, design to § 35‑115 and § 35‑123 first, then add the district overlay rules and BAR feedback.

Source References

County parking area landscaping and screening — § 35-115.
Fences, walls, and gateposts — § 35-123.
Final Development Plan landscape submittals/securities — § 35-174.5.
M‑CD Coastal Dependent Industry: purpose and landscaping/screening — §§ 35-87.1, 35-87.9.
Marine Terminals: screening and storage screens — § 35-156 (Dev. Standards g–h).
Transportation Corridor: purpose and landscaping — §§ 35-93.1, 35-93.10.
PRD landscaping buffer — § 35-75.17.
Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay (greenhouses): landscape screening and maintenance — § 35-102F.9.A.1.
Multi‑unit/mixed‑use landscaping minimums — § 35-144B.
Commercial district screening standards (district label not in excerpt) — § 35-80.10.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-87.3a) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-174.7) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-144V) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-144A) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (§ 22) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Chapter 35-144F) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-68.13.) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-80.8) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-156.) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-102F.9) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-115) High relevance
Santa Barbara County Zoning Code (Section 35-87.7) High relevance

Cited sections

County parking area landscaping and screening — § 35-115. (§ 35-115.)
Fences, walls, and gateposts — § 35-123. (§ 35-123.)
Final Development Plan landscape submittals/securities — § 35-174.5. (§ 35-174.5.)
M‑CD Coastal Dependent Industry: purpose and landscaping/screening — §§ 35-87.1, 35-87.9. (§ 35-87.1)
Marine Terminals: screening and storage screens — § 35-156 (Dev. Standards g–h). (§ 35-156)
Transportation Corridor: purpose and landscaping — §§ 35-93.1, 35-93.10. (§ 35-93.1)
PRD landscaping buffer — § 35-75.17. (§ 35-75.17.)
Carpinteria Agricultural Overlay (greenhouses): landscape screening and maintenance — § 35-102F.9.A.1. (§ 35-102F.9.A.1.)
Multi‑unit/mixed‑use landscaping minimums — § 35-144B. (§ 35-144B.)
Commercial district screening standards (district label not in excerpt) — § 35-80.10. (§ 35-80.10.)
SantaBarbaraCounty_ZoningCode.md

Official Santa Barbara County code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to screen a commercial parking lot next to homes in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?

Yes. Where non-residential parking abuts residentially zoned or developed property, you must erect and maintain a solid wall or fence at least 5 feet high, and provide perimeter screening such as a 5‑foot planted strip or a 4‑foot ornamental wall along property lines (§ 35-115).

What are the rules for fence heights in front yards?

In non‑agricultural zones, fences/walls up to 6 feet high (and gateposts up to 8 feet) in the front setback are exempt; taller elements need permits. Side/rear setbacks allow up to 8 feet (gateposts up to 10 feet) without a permit, subject to visibility rules at corners (§ 35-123).

How are coastal industrial projects screened in the unincorporated area?

Coastal‑dependent industrial sites must landscape all property lines with at least a 5‑foot planted strip and install a 6‑foot masonry wall where abutting residential or commercial districts. Outdoor storage must be screened; if materials exceed 6 feet, add an approved tree row to reach 20–40 feet of screening at maturity (§ 35-87.9).

Do marine terminals have special screening rules?

Yes. Marine terminals must landscape property edges to screen buildings, add a 6‑foot wall where abutting residential districts, and screen storage from the street with a 6‑foot wall/fence set back at least 5 feet with landscaping in front. Taller storage areas require a tree row to create 20–40 feet of screening at maturity (§ 35-156).

What landscaping is required for greenhouse projects in the Carpinteria Valley?

Within the CA Overlay, greenhouses and related development must submit a landscape plan that screens structures and parking from public roads and view corridors within five years, avoid using solid walls as the primary screen, and maintain landscaping for the life of the project (performance security required) (§ 35-102F.9.A.1).

Are drought-tolerant natives required along U.S. 101 projects?

Yes. In the Transportation Corridor district, landscape plans must use drought‑tolerant native species to the maximum extent feasible and preserve or replace scenic/visual amenities along the corridor (§ 35-93.10).

Do multi-unit projects have minimum planting counts or buffers?

Yes. Projects under § 35‑144B must provide 1 tree (15‑gallon) and 10 shrubs (5‑gallon) per 1,000 sf of required landscape area, create 5‑foot landscape buffers along certain walkways, achieve 75% groundcover within five years, and use landscaping for privacy and solar access management (§ 35-144B).

Do PRDs require perimeter buffers?

They do. Along any PRD side or rear yard abutting non‑PRD zones, install and maintain an “adequate buffer” using fencing, walls, plant materials, or a combination to separate uses and mitigate noise/light, shown on the approved plans (§ 35-75.17).

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