Santa Barbara controls building intensity mainly through maximum floor area, open-yard requirements, and a floor-to-lot-area ratio (FAR) guideline rather than a single lot-coverage percentage. Maximum floor area scales with lot size, and development is precluded above 100% of the maximum, or above 85% with steep slope, height over 25 ft, or major grading.
Rather than a flat lot-coverage percentage, the City of Santa Barbara limits residential development intensity through maximum floor area, required open yard, and a floor-to-lot-area ratio (FAR). Per the City's Residential Zoning Standards, maximum floor area scales with lot size: lots under 4,000 sq.ft. are capped at 2,200 sq.ft.; 4,000-9,999 sq.ft. lots at 1,200 sq.ft. plus 0.25 times lot area; 10,000-14,999 sq.ft. lots at 2,500 sq.ft. plus 0.125 times lot; 15,000-19,999 sq.ft. lots at 4,180 sq.ft. plus 0.013 times lot; and lots over 20,000 sq.ft. at 4,430 sq.ft. plus 0.013 times lot. Development is precluded if floor area exceeds 100% of the maximum, or exceeds 85% of the maximum where the slope is 30% or more, the height is more than 25 ft, or grading exceeds 500 cubic yards in the Hillside Design District. Required open yard for single-unit and two-unit lots is generally 1,250 sq.ft. (800 sq.ft. for lots under 5,000 sq.ft. under Title 30) with a 20 ft by 20 ft dimension; multi-unit open yard is 15% of lot area (Title 30) or 10% (Title 28). The FAR is described as a guideline applicable on lots of 15,000 sq.ft. or more with buildings two or more stories or 17 ft or more in height. Because these figures vary by code and lot, owners should confirm with the City.
Exceeding the maximum allowed floor area, falling short of required open yard, or building beyond FAR thresholds without approval is a zoning violation. The City can deny or condition permits, require redesign, and withhold approvals until the project conforms.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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The Fence Guidelines set height and location but defer the exact material, color, width and style to design-review boards. Front-yard fences, walls and gates...
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No fence, screen, wall or hedge over 3.5 feet may stand in a driveway visibility triangle: 10 ft along the driveway and 10 ft back from the front lot line wh...
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Residential retaining walls not over 4 feet (footing to top) are permit-exempt unless they support a surcharge or impound flammable liquids. Where a fence si...
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The City of Santa Barbara addresses animal hoarding through its care-and-keeping and nuisance provisions plus California's anti-cruelty law. Keeping animals ...
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The City of Santa Barbara does not publish a dedicated wildlife-feeding ban in its general animal regulations, but feeding wild animals can create a public n...
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The City of Santa Barbara requires a license for each unaltered cat over four months old, obtained from the City. There is no leash requirement for cats. Red...
See how Santa Barbara's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
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