Santa Barbara · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. Fence height depends on the distance from the front lot line, and taller fences need a minor zoning exception.
Key points
- Fence height: Fences: at most 3.5 feet within 10 feet of the front lot line, 5 feet elsewhere in the front yard, 8 feet outside it.
- Accessory buildings: Accessory buildings other than garages may total at most 500 square feet; on residential lots they are limited to 2 stories and 30 feet.
- Home businesses: Home businesses: up to 2 visitors at a time and 4 visits per day; only residents may work there, except 1 cottage food employee.
Each rule below is marked Santa Barbara code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Santa Barbara code Fences: at most 3.5 feet within 10 feet of the front lot line, 5 feet elsewhere in the front yard, 8 feet outside it.
All 7 Santa Barbara rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Santa Barbara code Accessory buildings other than garages may total at most 500 square feet; on residential lots they are limited to 2 stories and 30 feet.
All 11 Santa Barbara rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Santa Barbara code Home businesses: up to 2 visitors at a time and 4 visits per day; only residents may work there, except 1 cottage food employee.
All 4 Santa Barbara rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Santa Barbara code Neither new lot may be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 20 Santa Barbara rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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| Review time |
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Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Santa Barbara code Yes; no more than 4 hives. Yes; no more than 1 hive for each 5,000 square feet of extra lot area.
All 9 Santa Barbara rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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| Building in a floodway |
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Grading and erosion control
| Erosion control plan |
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Noise and construction hours
Santa Barbara code 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Allowed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; banned on Sundays and national holidays.
All 5 Santa Barbara rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
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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)
Santa Barbara code Extra owner-occupied density bonus units are not counted when finding required Inclusionary Units. The fee is 5 percent of the standard in-lieu fee times total units, instead of one owner-occupied Middle Income unit.
All 12 Santa Barbara rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Group homes and residential care
Santa Barbara code Parking follows the same zoning rules as other residential dwellings of the same building type in the same zone. Not subject to the base residential parking standards for multi-unit development.
All 6 Santa Barbara rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Santa Barbara code Uncovered space may not be located in any front yard Uncovered spaces may not be located in any front yard
All 10 Santa Barbara rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
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Trash and recycling carts
Santa Barbara code Must subscribe to and maintain adequate collection service by a franchised waste hauler Place green-container organic waste, except food waste, in green; recyclables in blue; mixed waste, including food waste, in brown
All 5 Santa Barbara rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Santa Barbara code At least 50 years old Landmarks Commission approval, only if work restores original appearance or substantially aids preservation and follows Secretary of the Interior's Standards
All 8 Santa Barbara rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Santa Barbara rules on this
Santa Barbara's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to remove trees on private property (Ch. 15.24)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's code: Apply in person or electronically with e-signatures; complete checklist applications get all permits electronically; only one inspection. (Applies to small home rooftop solar systems.) (§ 22.91.030); Within 24 working hours (3 working days). (Applies to small home rooftop solar systems.) (§ 22.91.030).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's code: At least 15 feet from the front lot line to the water. (In zones with required setbacks; a smaller zone setback applies if the zone has one.) (§ 28.87.060); At least 5 feet from an interior lot line to the water. (In zones with required setbacks; a smaller zone setback applies if the zone has one.) (§ 28.87.060).
What are the rules for building in a Santa Barbara flood zone?
Santa Barbara's code: A flood development permit is needed before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. (§ 22.24.110); Fill, new building, substantial improvements and other encroachments are banned unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no flood-level rise. (Designated floodways.) (§ 22.24.180).
What are the grading rules in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's code: An approved erosion and sedimentation control plan is needed before any grading or building permit is issued. (§ 22.85.020).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's code: Lights must control glare, prevent light trespass and limit upward light; shielding or re-aiming may be required. (Outdoor lights in residential zones and on properties next to them.) (§ 22.75.060); Fixtures may not be aimed only toward a property line. (All zones.) (§ 22.75.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Santa Barbara?
California law sets this for every city, including Santa Barbara: 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)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara's code: Yes; alarm systems must be registered with the Police Department; fee set by the Alarm System Fee Resolution (§ 9.100.050); Yes; registration required, but free of charge (Panic Alarms) (§ 9.100.080).
General information, not legal advice.
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