Parking spaces required for homes in Santa Barbara

Each rule below links to the section of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Santa Barbara's code says

Santa Barbara code What Santa Barbara's code adds
Parking in the front yard	Uncovered space may not be located in any front yard Applies: Exception for 1 uncovered space; lot developed with less than 85% of the maximum net floor area § 28.90.100 · code text The uncovered space shall not be located in any front yard on the lot, and Uncovered spaces may not be located in any front yard Applies: Exception for 2 uncovered spaces; lot developed with less than 80% of the maximum net floor area § 28.90.100 · code text The uncovered spaces shall not be located in any front yard on the lot,
Garage and covered spaces	All required parking spaces must be available for occupants to use as parking spaces Applies: Residential units, buildings, or structures occupied or intended to be occupied as sleeping quarters or dwellings § 28.90.100 · code text all of the required parking spaces shall be made available for all occupants to use as parking spaces on an assigned or unassigned basis. Both required spaces within a garage or carport Applies: Single residential unit or group home; general rule § 28.90.100 · code text Both of the required spaces shall be provided within a garage or carport located on the lot. 2 of the required spaces within a garage or carport Applies: Two-residential unit § 28.90.100 · code text Two of the required spaces shall be provided within a garage or carport located on the lot.
Spaces per apartment or condo	4 required; 2 spaces within a garage or carport Applies: Two-residential unit § 28.90.100 · code text Four required. Two of the required spaces shall be provided within a garage or carport located on the lot.
Spaces for a single-family home	2 required; both within a garage or carport Applies: Single residential unit or group home; general rule § 28.90.100 · code text Two required. Both of the required spaces shall be provided within a garage or carport located on the lot. May provide 1 covered space and 1 uncovered space for each single family dwelling Applies: 2 or more single family dwellings legally exist, or are proposed, on a single lot in any zone except the A, E, or R-1 zones § 28.90.100 · code text If two or more single family dwellings legally exist, or are proposed on a single lot in any zone except the A, E, or R-1 zones, one covered space and one uncovered space may be provided for each single family dwelling. May provide 1 covered space and 1 uncovered space instead of 2 covered spaces Applies: Lot developed with less than 85% of the maximum net floor area for the lot § 28.90.100 · code text Any lot developed with less than 85% of the maximum net floor area for the lot (as calculated pursuant to Section 28.15.083), whether or not the maximum net floor area specified in Section 28.15.083 applies to the lot as a standard, may provide the required parking in one covered space and one uncovered space under the following conditions: May provide 2 uncovered spaces instead of 2 covered, if not in a front yard and screened from public view Applies: Lot developed with less than 80% of the maximum net floor area; lot has at least 150 square feet of storage with exterior access § 28.90.100 · code text Any lot developed with less than 80% of the maximum net floor area for the lot (as calculated pursuant to Section 28.15.083), whether or not the maximum net floor area specified in Section 28.15.083 applies to the lot as a standard, may provide the required parking in two uncovered spaces under the following conditions:

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Frequently asked questions

How many parking spaces does a home need in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara's code: Uncovered space may not be located in any front yard (Exception for 1 uncovered space; lot developed with less than 85% of the maximum net floor area) (§ 28.90.100); Uncovered spaces may not be located in any front yard (Exception for 2 uncovered spaces; lot developed with less than 80% of the maximum net floor area) (§ 28.90.100).

Parking spaces required for homes in Santa Barbara

What Santa Barbara's code says

Who this affects

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