Moving to Santa Maria, CA? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Santa Maria is a mid-sized city in Santa Barbara County, California, with about 112000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 50 ordinances across 11 categories that affect daily life in Santa Maria.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Santa Maria requires STR operators to collect and remit the transient occupancy tax (TOT) on all stays under 30 days. The TOT rate is set by city ordinance..

Also covered: Noise Rules (moderate), Insurance Requirements (permissive), Occupancy Limits (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Santa Maria for details.

Accessory Structures

Carport Rules: Carports in Santa Maria are governed by Title 12 of the Municipal Code, including Chapter 12-27 (Accessory Structures) and the Off-Street Parking and Loading chapter. Any street-facing carport must sit at least 20 feet from the property line, each covered space must be at least 9.5 by 20 feet, and detached accessory structures must stand at least 5 feet from any dwelling on the lot..

Also covered: ADU Rules (permissive), Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Santa Maria for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: Santa Maria Municipal Code prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, or similar sharp-pointed materials on fences in any zoning district. The Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission may approve an exception via Conditional Use Permit for documented safety/security needs, and the sharp material must sit atop a lawful fence at least 6 feet tall..

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Approved Materials (permissive), Permit Requirements (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Santa Maria for details.

Animal Ordinances

Chickens & Livestock: Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 5-3, Article 8 (Livestock) bans hogs, swine, stallions, and bulls inside the city limits and requires horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and goats to be kept at least 125 feet from any residence. The RA Residential Agricultural zone is the only zoning district where most livestock can be kept, and only on parcels of two acres or more..

Also covered: Pet Limits (moderate), Exotic Pets (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (strict). See the full animal ordinances guide for Santa Maria for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 9-28 amends California Fire Code Section 307.1 to prohibit open burning within city limits, except for recreational fires (CFC 307.4.2), portable outdoor fireplaces (CFC 307.4.3), or under a single-use permit issued by the Fire Chief. Santa Barbara County APCD separately prohibits backyard burning of leaves, weeds, and yard waste in incorporated Santa Maria..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (permissive), Backyard Fires (moderate), Fireworks (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Santa Maria for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Home occupations are permitted in Santa Maria's residential districts (R-1, RA, RSL-1, R-2, etc.) but only as a use 'clearly incidental' to the dwelling - no customers on site, no on-premises sales, no commercial deliveries, no employees outside the resident family, and only one room of the home..

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (moderate), Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Santa Maria for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: Under Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 8-8 (Urban Forestry), a permit from the Director of Recreation and Parks is required before anyone may spray, prune, trim, fertilize, plant, transplant, or remove any street tree, vine, shrub, or flower, or trench within the foliage drip line. Street trees are City-managed assets and include trees in parkways from the curb to ten feet toward the home..

Also covered: Water Restrictions (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Santa Maria for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Sound-amplifying equipment is regulated in residential zones under Chapter 5-5, and Chapter 6-6 (Party Disturbances) makes hosting a party with sound 'plainly audible' at 50 feet or across a property line a citable offense with police-response cost recovery..

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Aircraft Noise (permissive), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Santa Maria for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Santa Maria's 72-hour limit and Section 7-5.17 (Long Vehicles) restrict RV, boat, and trailer parking on streets, while Section 12-32.27 prohibits parking any vehicle in the front yard or street-side yard setback except on a paved driveway. Maximum 50% of front-yard area or frontage may be paved for parking..

Also covered: Overnight Parking (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (strict), Driveway Rules (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Santa Maria for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Santa Maria participates in the NFIP and regulates development in FEMA flood zones. The Santa Maria River floodplain is a primary flood hazard area.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Santa Maria requires swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 5 feet high per California Building Code. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching..

Also covered: Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Santa Maria for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Santa Maria. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.