Santa Barbara County · Zoning · C-H
Santa Barbara County C-H zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara County's C-H zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is None required (Santa Barbara County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft
- Minimum side setback: None required (If the lot abuts a different zone, that zone's side setback applies)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (If the lot abuts a different zone, that zone's rear setback applies)
- Minimum lot size: None required
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum density: No dwelling units allowed
C-H (Highway 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-H
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-H Highway Commercial”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Front - Primary”, column “C-H Highway Commercial”: 15 ft from edge of right-of-way. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: If the lot abuts a different zone, that zone's side setback applies § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Side”, column “C-H Highway Commercial”: None; except that if the lot abuts a different zone, the abutting zone's side setback applies. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: If the lot abuts a different zone, that zone's rear setback applies § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “C-H Highway Commercial”: None; except if lot abuts a different zone, the abutting zone's rear setback applies. |
| Minimum lot size | None required § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Area”, column “C-H Highway Commercial”: None. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Maximum coverage”, column “C-H Highway Commercial”: 40% |
| Maximum density | No dwelling units allowed § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Maximum density”, column “C-H Highway Commercial”: None allowed. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-H:
- Minimum front setback: 20% of lot width, min 10 ft — lot width less than 75 ft, secondary front § 35.24.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for C-H 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-H zone?
35 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara County's C-H zone?
15 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara County's C-H zone?
None required (if the lot abuts a different zone, that zone's side setback applies) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Barbara County's C-H zone?
None required (if the lot abuts a different zone, that zone's rear setback applies) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara County's C-H zone?
None required — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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