Goleta · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Goleta
Goleta sets its own limits for accessory structures and home businesses, and has a city section on fences, walls and hedges. Home businesses that serve clients on site need a Zoning Clearance.
Key points
- Accessory structures: Goleta limits accessory structures to 16 ft and 800 sq ft; those 12 ft or less may cover 40% of the required rear setback.
- Home businesses: Goleta home businesses may use at most 25% of the floor area and 1 nonresident employee; serving clients on site needs a Zoning Clearance.
- Fences: Goleta has a city section on fences, freestanding and retaining walls, and hedges.
Each rule below is marked Goleta code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Goleta code Goleta limits accessory structures to 16 ft and 800 sq ft; those 12 ft or less may cover 40% of the required rear setback.
All 6 Goleta rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Goleta code Goleta home businesses may use at most 25% of the floor area and 1 nonresident employee; serving clients on site needs a Zoning Clearance.
All 6 Goleta rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Goleta code Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 7 Goleta rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Goleta code Anywhere on the lot. Yes.
All 5 Goleta rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Goleta code Approved with all needed permits when it meets the checklist and safety standards; no energizing before city approval. Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted.
All 3 Goleta rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
| Protected trees |
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Swimming pools
| Equipment and alarms |
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| Setback from property lines |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Grading and erosion control
| Steepest cut or fill slope |
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Park and impact fees for new homes
| Exemptions |
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| When the fee applies |
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Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Goleta code Affordability is generally kept for 55 years. The affordability term is at least 30 years.
All 24 Goleta rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Group homes and residential care
| Distance between homes |
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Parking spaces required for homes
Goleta code Required parking may not be in required front or side setbacks. Extra parking may go anywhere on the lot. Required parking may not be in a required front or street side setback.
All 8 Goleta rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
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Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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| When carts may go to the curb |
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Historic homes
Goleta code For structures more than 50 years old, the Director may require a historic resources assessment report before demolition. Design Review.
Other Goleta rules on this
Goleta's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Fences, freestanding and retaining walls, and hedges (§ 17.24.090)
- Keeping pets and other animals at home (§ 17.41.060)
- Noise restrictions (Ch. 9.09)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Goleta?
Goleta has a city section on fences, freestanding and retaining walls, and hedges. Goleta also has a related rule: Fences, freestanding and retaining walls, and hedges (§ 17.24.090).
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Goleta?
Goleta's code: Native oak woodland and savanna areas must be preserved and protected. (§ 17.30.150).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Goleta?
Goleta's code: At least 5 feet from any property line; not in the front or street side setback. (Private pools, spas and related structures.) (§ 17.24.190).
What are the rules for building in a Goleta flood zone?
Goleta's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (Special flood hazard areas; applications may include plans for structures, fill, storage, drainage facilities and locations.) (§ 15.10.130); The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved buildings, homes included, in special flood hazard areas; the lowest floor includes the basement.) (§ 15.10.160).
What are the grading rules in Goleta?
Goleta's code: Fill surfaces may be no steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. (Unless there is a retaining wall or the Director approves a geotechnical engineer's report.) (§ 15.09.260).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Goleta?
Goleta's code: The fees apply when 1 or more homes are permitted. (Residential development; impact fees other than the transportation fee.) (§ 17.70.060).
Can I run a family child care home in Goleta?
California law sets this for every city, including Goleta: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Goleta?
Goleta's code: A large residential care facility must be at least 300 feet from another one. (Applies to large residential care facilities.) (§ 17.41.220).
What signs may I put up at my home in Goleta?
Goleta's code: Remove the sign within 7 days after the sale, lease or rental is completed. (On-site real estate signs that are not illuminated.) (§ 17.40.030).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Goleta?
Goleta's code: Not later than 8:00 a.m. on the day following the regularly-scheduled collection day (§ 8.10.090); Not before 7:00 p.m. on the day preceding the regularly scheduled collection day (§ 8.10.090).
General information, not legal advice.
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