Accessory Structures in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, ADUs are ministerial and follow California state law (Gov. Code 66310 et seq., formerly 65852.2) plus the County's Land Use & Development Code. A small detached new-construction ADU is capped at 800 sq ft and 16 ft with 4 ft side/rear setbacks.
Santa Barbara County Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Government Code Sec. 66323 (implemented by Santa Barbara County LUDC Sec. 35.42.015)
A local agency shall ministerially approve an application for a building permit within a residential or mixed-use zone to create...a detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit that has a total floor area limitation of not more than 800 square feet of livable space...and does not exceed four-foot side and rear yard setbacks.
ADU Impact Fees
Santa Barbara County waives development impact mitigation fees for any accessory dwelling unit under 750 square feet and for junior accessory dwelling units entirely, under LUDC Section 35.42.015.D.4. Larger ADUs still owe fees, charged proportionately to the floor area of the principal dwelling, under whatever fee resolution is in effect when the fee is paid.
Santa Barbara County ADU Impact Fee Exemption
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County LUDC § 35.42.015.D.4
4.Development impact mitigation fees. Except as provided in Subsection 4.a, below, the applicant shall pay development impact mitigation fees in compliance with ordinances and/or resolutions in effect at the time the fees are paid. The amount of the required fee shall be determined by adopted fee resolutions and ordinances and applicable law in effect when paid, provided that the fee is charged...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Santa Barbara County requires the owner to live in either the junior accessory dwelling unit or the primary one-family home it sits inside, under LUDC Section 35.42.015.G.7. Standard, non-junior ADUs carry no such requirement under county code. The only exception applies when a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization owns the JADU.
Santa Barbara County JADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County LUDC § 35.42.015.G.7
7.Owner-occupancy. Except as provided below in Subsection G.7.a, owner-occupancy shall be required for the junior accessory dwelling unit or the one-family dwelling in which the junior accessory dwelling unit is located.a.Owner-occupancy shall not be required if the owner of the junior accessory dwelling unit is a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Santa Barbara County bans using an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit as a Short-Term Rental anywhere in the unincorporated county. LUDC Sec. 35.42.245(A)(4) makes the prohibition zone-blind: it applies even in the commercial and special-purpose zones where standalone Short-Term Rentals are otherwise permitted.
Santa Barbara County ADU Short-Term Rental Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Barbara County LUDC Sec. 35.42.245(A)(3)-(4)
3.Permit requirement. Short-Term Rentals may only be located in certain commercial and special purpose zones in compliance with the permit requirement identified in Article 35.2 (Zones and Allowable Land Uses). The required permit shall be obtained and all conditions of the permit shall be satisfied prior to the commencement of a Short-Term Rental.4.Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory...
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, sheds are accessory structures regulated by the Land Use & Development Code. They must meet the setback requirements of the zone, and accessory buildings are governed by the County's site-planning standards. Building permits follow the California Building Code thresholds.
Santa Barbara County Shed and Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Building Code Sec. 105.2 (adopted by Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 10)
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m2).
Garage Conversions
Converting an existing garage into living space or an ADU in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is handled under California ADU law and the County's Land Use & Development Code. Conversions of existing permitted space generally avoid new setback requirements and need no replacement parking.
Santa Barbara County Garage Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Government Code Sec. 66314(d) (implemented by Santa Barbara County LUDC Sec. 35.42.015)
When a garage, carport, covered parking structure, or uncovered parking space is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or converted to an accessory dwelling unit, the local agency shall not require that those offstreet parking spaces be replaced.
Accessory Structures by City in Santa Barbara County
1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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