Santa Barbara County, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code Sec. 10-1.6.1 (CBC Sec. 105.2)
- Shed exemption
- under 120 sq ft, under 12 ft tall
- Fence exemption
- wood 8 ft, other materials 6 ft
- Retaining wall exemption
- up to 4 ft, no surcharge
- Unpermitted-work penalty
- additional fee, Sec. 10-1.15
- Ag building exemption
- up to 3,000 sq ft, needs land use permit
Summary
In the unincorporated county, a building permit is required for construction unless the work falls on County Code's itemized exemption list: things like sub-120-square-foot tool sheds, wood fences under 8 feet, low retaining walls, and small decks. Everything else, including additions and new structures, needs Building Official sign-off before work starts.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the codes, State laws, ordinances, or established policies of this jurisdiction. Except when otherwise subject to County review and approval or when otherwise required by State or local laws, regulations or standards, permits shall not be required for the following: a. Building: A building permit shall not be required for the following: 1. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, patio covers, playhouses, playground or athletic equipment and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and does not exceed 12 feet in height. 2. Wood fences not over 8 feet high and fences of other materials not over 6 feet high, measured from the lowest adjacent grade to the top of the fence on the side which yields the greatest height, unless supporting a surcharge or structural element.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Santa Barbara County Code Sec. 2 of the 2025 California Building Code and lists what does not need a building permit in the unincorporated area; anything not on the list requires one. Exempt building work includes one-story detached sheds, patio covers, playhouses, and similar accessory structures under 120 square feet and 12 feet tall; wood fences up to 8 feet and other-material fences up to 6 feet, measured from the lowest adjacent grade; retaining walls up to 4 feet unless they carry a surcharge; water tanks up to 5,000 gallons; platforms and wood decks no more than 30 inches above grade; window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches; small pre-fab pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons; and roofing repairs under 100 square feet in a 12-month span.
Agricultural buildings up to 3,000 square feet used for equipment, hay, or livestock are also building-permit exempt, but only on agriculturally or ranchette-zoned land, and they still need a land use permit from Planning and Development plus a 20-foot separation from other buildings and property lines. None of these exemptions waives electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits, which are governed separately. Sec. 5 adds two more conditions on top of the base permit requirement: the Building Official can require sign-off from another agency, such as a water or sewer district, before issuing a permit, and any project in a designated Special Problems Area must first clear plan review by the Special Problems Committee under Article XI.
Violations & Fines
Starting work that needs a permit before obtaining one triggers an additional penalty fee under County Code Sec. 10-1.15 (Section 114.4), on top of the normal permit fee. If unpermitted work renders a structure substandard or unsafe, the Building Official can escalate to a Notice and Order and dangerous-building abatement under Sec. 10-1.16, which can mean repair, removal, demolition, and County-recovered costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard storage shed in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?
How tall can I build a fence without a permit?
What happens if I build without a required permit?
Does an exempt shed or fence still have to meet zoning setbacks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Barbara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Barbara County to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.