Santa Barbara County · Zoning · RR
Santa Barbara County RR zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara County's RR zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall and the front setback is 20 ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Barbara County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (from edge of right-of-way, or easement serving 5 or more lots)
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft (lots less than 1 acre)
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft (lots less than 1 acre)
RR (Residential Ranchette) 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 RR
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 § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Maximum height”, column “RR Residential Ranchette”: 35 ft. Toro Canyon Plan area - 25 ft for a residential structure. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: from edge of right-of-way, or easement serving 5 or more lots § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Front - Primary”, column “RR Residential Ranchette”: 20 ft from edge of right-of-way, or easement serving 5 or more lots. Lot within SC-MC overlay - as required by Section 35.28.175 (SC-MC Overlay Zone) |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft Applies: lots less than 1 acre § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Side”, column “RR Residential Ranchette”: Lots less than 1 acre: 10% of lot width with no less than 5 ft or more than 10 ft required. Lots 1 acre or more: 20 ft |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft Applies: lots less than 1 acre § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RR Residential Ranchette”: Lots less than 1 acre: 25 ft Lots 1 acre or more: 20 ft |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RR:
- Maximum building height: 25 ft — Toro Canyon Plan area, residential structure § 35.23.050
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — lots 1 acre or more § 35.23.050
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — lots 1 acre or more § 35.23.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for RR 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 RR zone?
35 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara County's RR zone?
20 ft (from edge of right-of-way, or easement serving 5 or more lots) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara County's RR zone?
10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft (lots less than 1 acre) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Barbara County's RR zone?
25 ft (lots less than 1 acre) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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