Santa Barbara County · Zoning · C-1
Santa Barbara County C-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara County's C-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 0 ft and the minimum lot size is None required, with the conditions listed below (Santa Barbara County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: None required (Review authority sets size in subdivision review; residential-only lots need 5,000 sq ft in Summerland, 7,000 sq ft elsewhere)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per existing lot (Residential-only development)
C-1 (Limited Commercial) is a zoning district in Santa Barbara County. Every value below was read from the Santa Barbara County Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in C-1
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 35 ft § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Maximum height”, column “C-1 Limited Commercial”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 0 ft § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Front - Primary”, column “C-1 Limited Commercial”: 0 ft |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Side”, column “C-1 Limited Commercial”: 10% of lot width, with no less than 5 ft or more than 10 ft required. |
| Minimum lot size | None required Applies: Review authority sets size in subdivision review; residential-only lots need 5,000 sq ft in Summerland, 7,000 sq ft elsewhere § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Area”, column “C-1 Limited Commercial”: None required; minimum lot size shall be determined by the review authority through the subdivision review process, except 5,000 sf in Summerland and 7,000 sf elsewhere shall be required for a lot with only a residential use. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per existing lot Applies: Residential-only development § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Maximum density”, column “C-1 Limited Commercial”: Residential-only development: One unit per existing lot Mixed-use development: 10 units per gross acre |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-1:
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft — in Summerland, for a lot with only a residential use § 35.24.040
- Minimum lot size: 7,000 sq ft — elsewhere, for a lot with only a residential use § 35.24.040
- Maximum density: 10 units per gross acre — Mixed-use development § 35.24.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, rear setback, lot coverage, FAR limit for C-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Barbara County Municipal Code.
Other Santa Barbara County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Barbara County's C-1 zone?
35 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara County's C-1 zone?
0 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara County's C-1 zone?
10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara County's C-1 zone?
None required (review authority sets size in subdivision review; residential-only lots need 5,000 sq ft in Summerland, 7,000 sq ft elsewhere) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the maximum density in Santa Barbara County's C-1 zone?
1 unit per existing lot (residential-only development) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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