Santa Barbara County · Zoning · C-2
Santa Barbara County C-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara County's C-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is None required, with the conditions listed below (Santa Barbara County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (an open canopy, porch or similar structure may encroach into the setback, but not into a right-of-way)
- Minimum side setback: None required (3 ft minimum when a side setback is provided)
- Minimum lot size: None required (The review authority sets the size in subdivision review)
C-2 (Retail Commercial) is a zoning district in Santa Barbara County. Every value below was read from the Santa Barbara County 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 C-2
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 | 35 ft § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Maximum height”, column “C-2 Retail Commercial”: 35 ft.: See Section 35.24.050.C.3 (Mixed use development) for mixed use development |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: an open canopy, porch or similar structure may encroach into the setback, but not into a right-of-way § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Front - Primary”, column “C-2 Retail Commercial”: 10 ft from edge of right-of-way; An open canopy, porch or similar structure may encroach into the setback, but not into a right-of-way. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 3 ft minimum when a side setback is provided § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Side”, column “C-2 Retail Commercial”: None; 3 ft minimum when provided. |
| Minimum lot size | None required Applies: The review authority sets the size in subdivision review § 35.24.040 · code textTable row “Area”, column “C-2 Retail Commercial”: None required; minimum lot size shall be determined by the review authority through the subdivision review process. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-2:
- Minimum side setback: 3 ft — when provided § 35.24.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, rear setback, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for C-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Barbara County Municipal Code.
Other Santa Barbara County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Barbara County's C-2 zone?
35 ft — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara County's C-2 zone?
10 ft (an open canopy, porch or similar structure may encroach into the setback, but not into a right-of-way) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara County's C-2 zone?
None required (3 ft minimum when a side setback is provided) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara County's C-2 zone?
None required (the review authority sets the size in subdivision review) — Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 35.24.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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