Santa Barbara County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

In the unincorporated County, lot (or site) coverage is the maximum percentage of net site area that may be covered by structures, and is established zone-by-zone in the LUDC Article 35.2 development-standards tables (Table 2-11 for residential zones, Table 2-17 for commercial). The standards differ markedly: in the R-1/E-1 and RR single-family/rural zones, Table 2-11 lists no fixed maximum coverage percentage - footprint is instead controlled by setbacks, height and parking; in R-2 (Two-Family Residential), maximum coverage is shown as not applicable. The DR (Design Residential) zone caps coverage at 30% for structures containing dwelling units, and the PRD (Planned Residential Development) zone allows 30% for structures containing dwellings and up to 50% for all structures. The SLP (Small Lot Planned Development) zone sets 60% coverage for a lot with a one-family dwelling and no maximum otherwise. In commercial zones, CN allows 30% while C-1 and C-2 set no maximum. For agricultural greenhouse development in the Coastal Zone, separate net-coverage caps apply by lot size (75% under 5 acres, 70% for 5 to 9.99 acres, 65% for 10 acres or more). Because coverage rules, setbacks and height interact, and overlays can add limits, confirm the exact figure for your zone and parcel with Santa Barbara County Planning & Development.