Santa Barbara County · Zoning · PI
Santa Barbara County PI zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara County's PI zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 15 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: 15 ft (20 ft for a garage or carport that opens directly on the street)
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: None required (The review authority sets the size in subdivision review)
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% (for buildings only)
PI (Professional and Institutional) 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 PI
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 “PI Professional and Institutional”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: 20 ft for a garage or carport that opens directly on the street § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Front - Primary”, column “PI Professional and Institutional”: 15 ft from edge of right-of-way; 20 ft for a garage or carport that opens directly on the street. |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Side”, column “PI Professional and Institutional”: 15 ft. |
| Minimum lot size | None required Applies: The review authority sets the size in subdivision review § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Area”, column “PI Professional and Institutional”: None required; minimum lot size shall be determined by the review authority through the subdivision approval process. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% Applies: for buildings only § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Maximum coverage”, column “PI Professional and Institutional”: 40% (for buildings only). |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in PI:
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — for a garage or carport that opens directly on the street § 35.24.040
- 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, rear setback, FAR, density limit for PI 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 PI zone?
35 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara County's PI zone?
15 ft (20 ft for a garage or carport that opens directly on the street) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara County's PI zone?
15 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara County's PI zone?
None required (the review authority sets the size in subdivision review) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Santa Barbara County's PI zone?
40% (for buildings only) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Santa Barbara County property in PI
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question