Santa Barbara · Zoning · RS-6
Santa Barbara RS-6 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara's RS-6 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Santa Barbara code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (further limited by the solar access height limitations of section 30.140.170)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (Residential structures; portions of structures over 15 feet in height need 5 ft more)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Residential structures; interior setback)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq. ft. (Newly created lots; average slope less than 10%, and all lots with frontage on the Pacific Ocean regardless of slope)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per lot
RS-6 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 RS-6
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 Applies: further limited by the solar access height limitations of section 30.140.170 § 30.20.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “RS-6”: 30, except as further limited in accordance with § 30.140.170 , Solar Access Height Limitations |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: Residential structures; portions of structures over 15 feet in height need 5 ft more § 30.20.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “RS-6”: 15; Portions of structures over 15 feet in height: +5 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Residential structures; interior setback § 30.20.030 · code textTable row “Interior”, column “RS-6”: 5 |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq. ft. Applies: Newly created lots; average slope less than 10%, and all lots with frontage on the Pacific Ocean regardless of slope § 30.20.030 · code textTable row “Average Slope less than 10%, and all lots with frontage on the Pacific Ocean regardless of slope”, column “RS-6”: 6,000 |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per lot § 30.20.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Density (per lot)”, column “RS-6”: 1 unit |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RS-6:
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Nonresidential structures; interior setback § 30.20.030
- Minimum lot size: 9,000 sq. ft. — Average slope 10% to 20% § 30.20.030
- Minimum lot size: 12,000 sq. ft. — Newly created lots; average slope over 20% to 30% § 30.20.030
- Minimum lot size: 18,000 sq. ft. — Average slope over 30% § 30.20.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, rear setback, lot coverage, FAR limit for RS-6 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 RS-6 zone?
30 ft (further limited by the solar access height limitations of section 30.140.170) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.20.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara's RS-6 zone?
15 ft (residential structures; portions of structures over 15 feet in height need 5 ft more) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.20.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara's RS-6 zone?
5 ft (residential structures; interior setback) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.20.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara's RS-6 zone?
6,000 sq. ft. (newly created lots; average slope less than 10%, and all lots with frontage on the Pacific Ocean regardless of slope) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.20.030.
What is the maximum density in Santa Barbara's RS-6 zone?
1 unit per lot — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.20.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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