Santa Barbara · Zoning · R-1
Santa Barbara R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Barbara code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (Ground floor of any building or structure)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft (Planned residential developments: lot area may not be reduced below this)
R-1 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 R-1
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 | 30 ft § 28.15.050 · code textNo building in these zones shall exceed a height of 30 feet nor exceed the height limitations imposed for the protection and enhancement of solar access by Chapter 28.11 of this Code. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: Ground floor of any building or structure § 28.15.060 · code texta. Ground floor of any building or structure: 15 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 28.15.060 · code text6. R-1 Zone: five feet |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft Applies: Planned residential developments: lot area may not be reduced below this § 28.33.045 · code textTable row “R-1”, column “MINIMUM LOT AREA”: 5,000 sq. ft. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Upper story portion of a building or structure § 28.15.060
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Garage or carport with an opening that faces an adjacent street or uncovered parking that backs out onto the street § 28.15.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, rear setback, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for R-1 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 R-1 zone?
30 ft — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 28.15.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara's R-1 zone?
15 ft (ground floor of any building or structure) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 28.15.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara's R-1 zone?
5 ft — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 28.15.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara's R-1 zone?
5,000 sq ft (planned residential developments: lot area may not be reduced below this) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 28.33.045.
General information, not legal advice.
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