Fence Regulations in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, the Land Use & Development Code (Section 35.30.070) ties fence height to where the fence sits. Fences up to 6 ft are exempt from a planning permit within a required front setback, and up to 8 ft within side and rear setbacks. Taller fences trigger a permit. Corner-lot vision-clearance limits also apply.
Santa Barbara County Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County LUDC § 35.30.070(C) and Table 3-1
C. Height limits and permit requirements. Each fence shall comply with the following the height limits and permit requirements. In no case shall the height of the fence exceed the height limit established for the applicable zone by Article 35.2... Within required front setback: Fence 6 ft or less in height; gatepost 8 ft or less in height [is exempt]. Within side and rear setbacks: Fence 8 ft o...
Fence Permit Requirements
Many fences in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are exempt from a planning permit when they stay within the heights in LUDC Table 3-1 (6 ft in front setbacks, 8 ft in side/rear). Taller fences need a Minor Conditional Use Permit, Land Use Permit or Coastal Development Permit. The County Planning & Development Department processes these applications.
Santa Barbara County Fence Permits
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County LUDC § 35.30.070(C)(3)
3. Exception to height limits. A maximum of 10 percent of the total linear length of a wall or fence may be allowed to exceed the maximum height specified for exemption from a permit in Subsections C.1 (Non-Agricultural zones) or C.2 (Agricultural zones) above, where the review authority first determines that topographic or other unavoidable conditions will destroy its architectural integrity i...
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall under 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top, needs no building permit in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, unless it holds back a surcharge load or impounds hazardous liquids. In the Coastal Zone, that same 4-foot wall is also exempt from a Coastal Development Permit if it doesn't need a Grading Permit.
Santa Barbara County Retaining Wall Permit Threshold
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 10-1.6.1
105.2 Work exempt from permit... permits shall not be required for the following: a. Building: A building permit shall not be required for the following: ... 5. Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
Material Restrictions
Santa Barbara County's LUDC Section 35.30.070 regulates fences by height and location rather than by a general list of banned materials. It does not set a countywide ban on barbed wire or chain link. Scenic, hillside and coastal overlays, however, require retaining walls and fence-related structures to be colored and textured to blend with the surroundings.
Santa Barbara County Fence Material Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Barbara County LUDC § 35.30.070(A)
A. Purpose. This Section provides regulations for the installation, construction, and placement of fences. For the purposes of this Section, the term 'fence' includes fences, walls, gates, gateposts, and other structures in the nature of a fence, except where any of these are specifically identified and separately regulated by this Section.
Fence Regulations by City in Santa Barbara County
1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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