Property Maintenance in Santa Barbara, CA (2026)
5 verified property maintenance rules for Santa Barbara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Trash Bin Storage
Since July 1, 2025, City of Santa Barbara residents wheel MarBorg carts to the curb for service. Carts must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the service day (no earlier than the night before) and returned to a storage location on the property by noon the next day. Carts come in 35, 64 and 96 gallon sizes.
Santa Barbara Trash Bin & Cart Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsProperty Blight
The City of Santa Barbara enforces property-maintenance standards through its Community Development Code Compliance program and Administrative Code Enforcement Procedures. Officers act on blight conditions such as illegally stored trash, debris, boats and vehicles in setbacks or front yards, abandoned vehicles, and substandard buildings, using notices of violation, administrative citations, or City Attorney referral.
Santa Barbara Property Blight & Code Compliance
Some RestrictionsVacant Lot Maintenance
The City of Santa Barbara adopts the California Fire Code in SBMC Chapter 8.04 and requires owners of property in High Fire Hazard Areas to maintain defensible space and clear hazardous vegetation. Owners must keep flammable vegetation cleared 10 feet on each side of improved roads, and defensible-space distances range from 30 to 150 feet by fire zone.
Santa Barbara Vacant Lot & Fire-Hazard Vegetation Rules
Heavy RestrictionsGarage Sale Rules
The City of Santa Barbara treats residential garage and yard sales as an exempt temporary use under its Zoning Ordinance, so no permit is required when limits are met. Exempt garage sales are limited to no more than four events per twelve-month period, each lasting a maximum of three consecutive days.
Santa Barbara Garage & Yard Sale Rules
Few RestrictionsWeeds & Overgrown Grass
Santa Barbara Municipal Code Chapter 8.20 (Vegetation Obstructing Public Places) requires owners to maintain trees, hedges, shrubs, vines and plants so they don't obstruct sidewalks or streets, and declares overgrown grass, weeds and rubbish on sidewalks a public nuisance. In High Fire Hazard Areas, dead grasses and weeds must also be cleared under the City fire code.
Santa Barbara Weeds, Grass & Sidewalk Vegetation Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Barbara city rules.
Property Maintenance in Santa Barbara County →