Santa Barbara County · Zoning · SLP
Santa Barbara County SLP zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara County's SLP zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 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: 25 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (SLP perimeter lot, from edge of right-of-way)
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft (SLP perimeter lot)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (SLP perimeter lot)
SLP (Small Lot Planned Development) 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 SLP
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 | 25 ft § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Maximum height”, column “SLP Small Lot Planned Development”: 25 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: SLP perimeter lot, from edge of right-of-way § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Front - Primary”, column “SLP Small Lot Planned Development”: SLP perimeter lot - 20 ft from edge of right-of-way. SLP interior lot - 10 ft. |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft Applies: SLP perimeter lot § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Side”, column “SLP Small Lot Planned Development”: SLP perimeter lot - 15 ft. SLP interior lot - 5 ft; 10 ft where setback abuts a road, public parking area or walk; See Section 35.23.110.B (Side setbacks and building separation). |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: SLP perimeter lot § 35.23.050 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “SLP Small Lot Planned Development”: SLP perimeter lot - 15 ft. SLP interior lot - 10 ft. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in SLP:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — SLP interior lot § 35.23.050
- Minimum front setback: 20% of lot width, min 10 ft, max 20 ft — Secondary front, SLP perimeter lot § 35.23.050
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — SLP interior lot § 35.23.050
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — where setback abuts a road, public parking area or walk § 35.23.050
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — SLP interior lot § 35.23.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for SLP 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 SLP zone?
25 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara County's SLP zone?
20 ft (sLP perimeter lot, from edge of right-of-way) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara County's SLP zone?
15 ft (sLP perimeter lot) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Barbara County's SLP zone?
15 ft (sLP perimeter lot) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.23.050.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Santa Barbara County property in SLP
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question