5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
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.
California 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.
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.
California 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).
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.
California 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.
Carports in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are accessory structures under the Land Use & Development Code. A carport (a roof supported by columns or walls) must meet the parcel zone's setback requirements, and building permits follow the California Building Code.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a tiny home on a permanent foundation is reviewed as an ADU or dwelling under California ADU law and the County LUDC. A tiny home on wheels (RV/park-model) is generally not allowed as a permanent residence outside approved RV/mobile-home parks.
2 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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