Santa Barbara · Zoning · M-C
Santa Barbara M-C zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Barbara's M-C zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Santa Barbara code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft (60 ft for a Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project)
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (Residential structures; add 10 ft for portions over 25 ft tall)
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft (Nonresidential structures next to a residential zone; add 5 ft for portions over 25 ft tall)
- Minimum lot size: No minimum (Lots with residential uses need 3,500 sq ft of net lot area)
- Maximum density: 3 units, or 1 unit per 3,500 sq ft of net lot area, whichever is greater (Lots of 7,000 sq ft or more; smaller lots allow 1 or 2 units)
M-C is a zoning district in Santa Barbara. Every value below was read from the Santa Barbara 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 M-C
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 | 45 ft Applies: 60 ft for a Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project § 30.30.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “M-C”: 45; 60 for Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project (§ 30.140.100B) |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: Residential structures; add 10 ft for portions over 25 ft tall § 30.30.030 · code textTable row “Front Setback”, column “M-C”: 10; Portions of structures over 25 ft. in height: +10 |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft Applies: Nonresidential structures next to a residential zone; add 5 ft for portions over 25 ft tall § 30.30.030 · code textTable row “Interior, Adjacent to Residential Zone”, column “M-C”: 15; Portions of structures over 25 ft. in height: +5 |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum Applies: Lots with residential uses need 3,500 sq ft of net lot area § 30.30.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Net Lot Area for Newly Created Lots (sq. ft.)”, column “M-C”: None; except 3,500 sq. ft. of net lot area is required for lots that include residential uses |
| Maximum density | 3 units, or 1 unit per 3,500 sq ft of net lot area, whichever is greater Applies: Lots of 7,000 sq ft or more; smaller lots allow 1 or 2 units § 30.30.030 · code textTable row “7,000 and more sq. ft. Net Lot Area”, column “M-C”: 3 units, or 1 unit/3,500 sq. ft. of net lot area, whichever is greater |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in M-C:
- Maximum building height: 60 ft — Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project (§ 30.140.100B) § 30.30.030
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft — nonresidential structures § 30.30.030
- Minimum side setback: 6 ft — Residential structures; add 4 ft for portions over 25 ft tall § 30.30.030
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft — nonresidential structures adjacent to a nonresidential zone § 30.30.030
- Maximum density: 1 unit — less than 5,000 sq. ft. net lot area § 30.30.030
- Maximum density: 2 units — 5,000 to 6,999 sq. ft. net lot area § 30.30.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, rear setback, lot coverage, FAR limit for M-C in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Barbara Municipal Code.
Other Santa Barbara zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Barbara's M-C zone?
45 ft (60 ft for a Community Benefit Project or Community Benefit Housing Project) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.30.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Barbara's M-C zone?
10 ft (residential structures; add 10 ft for portions over 25 ft tall) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.30.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Barbara's M-C zone?
15 ft (nonresidential structures next to a residential zone; add 5 ft for portions over 25 ft tall) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.30.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Barbara's M-C zone?
No minimum (lots with residential uses need 3,500 sq ft of net lot area) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.30.030.
What is the maximum density in Santa Barbara's M-C zone?
3 units, or 1 unit per 3,500 sq ft of net lot area, whichever is greater (lots of 7,000 sq ft or more; smaller lots allow 1 or 2 units) — Santa Barbara Municipal Code § 30.30.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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