Cannabis Regulations in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dispensary Zoning

Santa Barbara County confines licensed cannabis retail to a short list of commercial zones under LUDC Section 35.42.075. Table 4-11 permits retail with a Land Use Permit in the Limited Commercial (C-1) and Retail Commercial (C-2) zones; Table 4-10 bars it outright in both agricultural zones, AG-I and AG-II, where only cultivation, distribution, and manufacturing uses can be sited.

Santa Barbara County Cannabis Retail Zoning

Significant Restrictions

Santa Barbara County LUDC § 35.42.075.B.2, .B.4, Tables 4-10 & 4-11

Commercial cannabis activities shall only be permitted in the AG-I, AG-II, C-1, C-2, C-3, CS, SC, PI, M-RP, M-1, M-2, MU, CM-LA, OT-R/LC, and OT-R/GC zoning districts in compliance with Article 35.2 (Zones and Allowable Land Uses) and the Allowed Cannabis Uses and Permit Requirement by Zone Tables in this Section. [...] Table 4-10 [...] AG-I AG-II [...] CANNABIS RETAIL Retail — — [...] Table...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Buffer Zones

Santa Barbara County keeps every licensed cannabis activity, including retail, cultivation, and manufacturing, at least 750 feet from any K-12 school, day care center, or youth center, measured in a straight line from property line to property line under LUDC Section 35.42.075. Cannabis nurseries face a shorter 600-foot buffer from the same sensitive receptors.

Santa Barbara County Cannabis School Buffer Zones

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County LUDC § 35.42.075, Table 4-10, Notes (2) & (4)

(2) The cannabis operation shall not be located within 750 feet from a school providing instruction in kindergarten or any grades one through 12, day care center, or youth center. The distance specified in this section shall be the horizontal distance measured in a straight line from the property line of the lot on which the sensitive receptor is located to the premise, without regard to interv...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Cannabis Regulations by City in Santa Barbara County

1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own cannabis regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Santa MariaPop. 112,076

1 verified rule • Dispensary Zoning

All Santa Barbara County ordinances

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