Santa Barbara, CA Accessory Structures: Carport Rules (2026)

The City's zoning ordinance lists 'a private garage, carport or parking spaces' as a permitted accessory use in residential zones. Carports and other covered parking are treated as accessory structures and must comply with the development standards of the zone. Per the City's Residential Zoning Standards, street-facing covered parking generally requires a 20-foot front setback, and covered parking in interior and rear setbacks follows the same setback table as other accessory buildings. Floor area for covered parking counts toward the lot's caps: under Title 28 covered parking is limited to 500 sq ft (750 sq ft in A-1, A-2, and on lots over 20,000 sq ft), and under Title 30 the cumulative total of covered parking plus accessory buildings, including any ADU, is limited by lot size from 1,000 sq ft up to 1,950 sq ft. Single-unit homes are generally required to provide two covered parking spaces per unit, subject to parking exceptions in the parking chapter (Section 30.175 / 28.90). When a carport is converted to or demolished for an ADU, those covered spaces need not be replaced. Carports in the Coastal Overlay Zone (S-D-3) are governed by Title 28. A building permit is required to construct a carport. As an incorporated city, Santa Barbara applies its own municipal code, which differs from the County's standards for unincorporated areas.