Santa Barbara County, CA Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 10 (Buildings and Regulations) adopts the California Building Standards Code (Title 24), including California Building Code Section 105.2 and California Residential Code Section R105.2. Those sections exempt one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses from a building permit provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 square meters). Adding electrical, plumbing or mechanical work, exceeding 120 square feet, or building a second story removes the exemption and triggers full building plan review through the Santa Barbara County Building and Safety Division. Even when a shed is permit-exempt under Title 24, the zoning rules of LUDC Article II (Land Use and Development Code) still apply: under Section 35.42.020, an accessory structure must be located on the same site as the principal use it serves, must be customarily incidental and subordinate to that principal use, and must comply with the height, setback, and lot coverage standards of the applicable zone. Permit-exempt status does not waive those zoning standards.