Santa Barbara County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Each structure in the unincorporated County must be set back from property lines per the applicable zone in Article 35.2, with measurement and exceptions governed by LUDC Section 35.30.150 (Setback Requirements and Exceptions). Setbacks are zone-specific. In the R-1/E-1 (Single Family Residential) zone, for example, the primary front setback is 50 feet from the road centerline and 20 feet from the right-of-way (or 20 feet from a private easement serving five or more lots); side setbacks are generally 10% of lot width, with minimums and maximums that change with the zoned minimum lot area; and the rear setback is 25 feet (15 feet where the rear abuts permanent open space or a street without access). The RR (Rural) zone uses larger setbacks, and EX-1 requires a 75-foot front setback from centerline and 25-foot side and rear setbacks. Section 35.30.150 explains how setbacks are measured: front setbacks at right angles from the front lot line; corner lots get a front setback along each street (with primary/secondary front rules turning on whether lot width is 100 feet or more); through lots provide front setbacks toward each street; and interior lots use at least a 10-foot setback from all property lines (25 feet in EX-1) while preserving total required setback area. Because numbers differ by zone, lot width and overlays, always verify your parcel's zone and dimensions with Santa Barbara County Planning & Development.