6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Home occupations are allowed in any dwelling in any zone in unincorporated Santa Barbara County under Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.190, but only as a strictly secondary use confined to one room, conducted by the residents, with no change to the residential character of the property.
Santa Barbara County Code § 35.42.190.C.1, .C.3, .C.5
Only one home occupation shall be allowed on any one lot. The home occupation shall be conducted either entirely within not more than one room of the dwelling, not including garages, or entirely within an artist studio... The home occupation shall be conducted solely by the occupant(s) of a dwelling located on the lot... There shall be no more than five customers, patients, clients, students, o...
Santa Barbara County's home occupation rules (Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.190) prohibit any displays or signs naming or advertising a home business on or off the lot. Advertising may not divulge the home's location, though business cards and letterhead may list the address.
Santa Barbara County Code § 35.42.190.C.4 (Home Occupations - signage)
No displays or signs naming or advertising the home occupation shall be permitted on or off the lot that contains the home occupation. All advertising for the home occupation (e.g., telephone directories, newspaper or other printed material) or on equipment or vehicles associated with the home occupation shall not divulge the location of the home occupation. Business cards and letterhead may li...
Home occupations in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must not generate traffic, parking demand or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residence; significant customer visits can disqualify the use.
Cottage food operations in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must register or permit with County Environmental Health Services under California's Cottage Food law (Health & Safety Code 113758). Class A (direct sales) self-certifies and registers; Class B (direct and indirect sales) needs an annual permit and a preopening inspection.
Under Santa Barbara County Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.090, small and large family day care homes are treated as residential uses, consistent with California state law. Providers need a state license (or exemption) from the Department of Social Services, and large homes must keep 300 feet from another large facility.
Most home occupations in unincorporated Santa Barbara County require a Land Use Permit (or a Coastal Development Permit in the Coastal Zone) under Land Use & Development Code Section 35.42.190, plus a recorded Notice to Property Owner. Office-only businesses that serve no clients on-site may be exempt.
2 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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