Santa Barbara County, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

Santa Barbara County does not publish a standalone 'tiny home' ordinance; how a tiny home is treated depends on whether it is a fixed structure or a movable unit. A small detached dwelling built on a permanent foundation is generally reviewed as an Accessory Dwelling Unit under California ADU law (Government Code 66310 et seq., the successor to former 65852.2) and the County's Land Use & Development Code, meaning it must meet ADU size, height, and 4-foot setback standards and obtain building permits. A 'tiny home on wheels' is typically classified under state law as a recreational vehicle or, if certified, a park-model, and RVs are generally not permitted as full-time permanent residences on a standard parcel; they are usually limited to licensed RV parks or mobilehome parks. Some California ADU provisions allow manufactured/factory-built homes meeting HCD standards to qualify as ADUs, but a vehicle on wheels usually does not. In the Coastal Zone, any new dwelling unit may also require a Coastal Development Permit under the certified Local Coastal Program. Because tiny-home rules turn on these classifications, confirm the pathway for your specific structure with Santa Barbara County Planning & Development before buying or placing a unit.