Group homes and residential care in Santa Barbara

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

What Santa Barbara's code says

Santa Barbara code What Santa Barbara's code adds
Parking	Parking follows the same zoning rules as other residential dwellings of the same building type in the same zone. Applies: Applies to facilities with full kitchens and bathrooms in individual units that meet the definition of a residential unit. § 30.185.140 · code text Facilities configured with full kitchens and bathrooms in individual units that meet the definition of a residential unit in Section 30.140.150, Residential Unit, are subject only to the same zoning standards (residential density, open yard, and parking requirements) that apply to other residential dwellings of the same building type in the same zone. Not subject to the base residential parking standards for multi-unit development. Applies: Applies to facilities with congregate dining facilities. § 30.185.140 · code text Facilities with congregate dining facilities are not subject to the base residential density, open yard, and parking standards for multi-unit development in the same applicable zone limits.
Homes for 7 or more	Permitted by right. Applies: Applies to facilities serving 7 to 15 residents in zones allowing residential uses, except RS and R-2 zones. § 30.185.140 · code text Facilities serving seven to 15 residents are considered residential uses and are permitted by right in all zones that allow residential uses, except in the RS (Residential Single Unit) and R-2 (Two-Unit Residential) zones, where a Performance Standard Permit is required. A Performance Standard Permit is required. Applies: Applies to facilities serving 7 to 15 residents in RS and R-2 zones. § 30.185.140 · code text Facilities serving seven to 15 residents are considered residential uses and are permitted by right in all zones that allow residential uses, except in the RS (Residential Single Unit) and R-2 (Two-Unit Residential) zones, where a Performance Standard Permit is required. A Performance Standard Permit is required. Applies: Applies to facilities serving 16 or more residents in zones where residential uses are allowed. § 30.185.140 · code text Facilities serving 16 or more residents are considered residential uses and require a Performance Standard Permit in all zones where residential uses are allowed.
Homes for 6 or fewer	Considered a single-unit residence and residential use. No Performance Standard Permit unless accessory uses not allowed by right are proposed. § 30.185.140 · code text A single residential unit that accommodates six or fewer residents is considered a single-unit residence structure and a residential use of property under this section. A Performance Standard Permit is not required unless accessory uses not allowed by right are proposed pursuant to subsection F.

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Frequently asked questions

Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara's code: Parking follows the same zoning rules as other residential dwellings of the same building type in the same zone. (Applies to facilities with full kitchens and bathrooms in individual units that meet the definition of a residential unit.) (§ 30.185.140); Not subject to the base residential parking standards for multi-unit development. (Applies to facilities with congregate dining facilities.) (§ 30.185.140).

Group homes and residential care in Santa Barbara

What Santa Barbara's code says

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