Lot splits under SB 9 in Goleta: the local rules

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

What Goleta's code says

Goleta code What Goleta's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. § 16.18.050 · code text Each of the resulting lots must be between 60% and 40% of the original lot area.
Minimum new lot size	Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet. § 16.18.050 · code text The newly created parcels must be no smaller than 1,200 square feet.
Standards	The lot to be split must be in the RS Zone District. Applies: Urban lot split parcels. § 16.18.050 · code text The lot to be split is in the RS Zone District. The lot may not be in a historic district, on the State Historic Resources Inventory, or a city-designated historic site. Applies: Urban lot split parcels. § 16.18.050 · code text The lot to be split must not be proposed within either: Each new lot must have access to, provide access to, or adjoin the public right-of-way. Applies: Lots resulting from the split. § 16.18.050 · code text Each resulting lot must have access to, provide access to, or adjoin the public right-of-way. No nonresidential use is allowed on any lot created by an urban lot split. Applies: Lots created by an urban lot split. § 16.18.050 · code text No nonresidential use is permitted on any lot created by urban lot split.
Owner occupancy	Applicant signs an affidavit to live in one unit as a principal residence for at least 3 years after approval. Applies: Does not apply to a community land trust or a qualified nonprofit corporation. § 16.18.050 · code text The applicant for an urban lot split must sign an affidavit stating that the applicant intends to occupy one of the dwelling units on one of the resulting lots as the applicant's principal residence for a minimum of three years after the urban lot split is approved unless the applicant is a community land trust (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 402.1(a)(11)(C)(ii) or a qualified nonprofit corporation (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 214.15).

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Goleta?

Goleta's code: Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet. (§ 16.18.050); Applicant signs an affidavit to live in one unit as a principal residence for at least 3 years after approval. (Does not apply to a community land trust or a qualified nonprofit corporation.) (§ 16.18.050).

Lot splits under SB 9 in Goleta

What Goleta's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Goleta property

More on building on your lot in Goleta