7 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, 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 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...
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 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...
Santa Barbara County's LUDC sets where and how tall a boundary fence may be, but cost-sharing between neighbors is governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Law (Civil Code 841). Adjoining owners are presumed to share equally in the cost of a dividing fence, and a neighbor must give 30 days' written notice before billing for the work.
In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, a retaining wall that retains earth only and is not over four feet (footing to top) and needs no grading permit is exempt from a Coastal Development or Land Use Permit, unless it is near a coastal bluff, beach or sensitive habitat. Statewide, retaining walls over 4 feet need a building permit.
Fences in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must comply with LUDC Section 35.30.070: stay within the height thresholds for their location, never exceed the underlying zone's height limit, and respect corner-lot vision-clearance. Coastal-zone fences must avoid wetlands, beaches, sensitive habitat and bluffs, and pools require their own safety barriers under state law.
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 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.
The LUDC regulates fences in unincorporated Santa Barbara County by height and placement (Section 35.30.070) and does not prescribe or ban specific materials in that section. Common materials - wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron and chain link - are generally allowed, but scenic, hillside and coastal design standards can condition colors, finishes and wall appearance.
2 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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