Santa Barbara · Zoning · CO-MI
Santa Barbara CO-MI zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara's CO-MI zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Santa Barbara code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft (Same as the M-I zone; 60 ft for a Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project)
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (Residential Structures)
- Minimum side setback: 6 ft (Residential Structures)
- Minimum lot size: No minimum (Lots without residential uses; lots with residential uses need 3,500 sq ft)
CO-MI is a zoning district in Santa Barbara. Every value below was read from the Santa Barbara 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 CO-MI
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 | 45 ft Applies: Same as the M-I zone; 60 ft for a Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project § 30.35.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “CO-MI”: Same as MI Zone |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: Residential Structures § 30.35.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “CO-MI”: 10; Portions of structures over 25 feet in height: +10 |
| Minimum side setback | 6 ft Applies: Residential Structures § 30.35.030 · code textTable row “Interior”, column “CO-MI”: 6; Portions of structures over 25 feet in height: +4 |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum Applies: Lots without residential uses; lots with residential uses need 3,500 sq ft § 30.35.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Net Lot Area for Newly Created Lots (sq. ft.)”, column “CO-MI”: None; except 3,500 sq. ft. of net lot area is required for lots that include residential uses |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CO-MI:
- Minimum side setback: 4 ft — Extra 4 ft added to the 6 ft setback for portions of structures over 25 feet in height; residential § 30.35.030
- Minimum lot size: 3,500 sq ft — lots that include residential uses § 30.35.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, rear setback, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for CO-MI in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Barbara Municipal Code.
Other Santa Barbara zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Barbara's CO-MI zone?
45 ft (same as the M-I zone; 60 ft for a Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.35.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara's CO-MI zone?
10 ft (residential Structures) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.35.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara's CO-MI zone?
6 ft (residential Structures) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.35.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara's CO-MI zone?
No minimum (lots without residential uses; lots with residential uses need 3,500 sq ft) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.35.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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