9 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 there is no general lawn-mowing height rule, but the County Fire Department's hazard-reduction standard requires all parcels to remove weeds or mow them to a height of less than four inches. Cultivated green ground cover that does not readily transmit fire is exempt.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department — Defensible Space Program (implementing Cal. PRC § 4291 and County Code Chapter 15)
Using surface measurements, clearance from all structures shall not be less than 100 feet or to your property line, whichever is closer. Within the 100-foot perimeter, all brush, flammable vegetation, or combustible growth shall be modified... Discing and rototilling are acceptable methods for removing small types of vegetation.
Tree trimming in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is driven by wildfire defensible-space rules rather than a general pruning permit. The Fire Department's Standard #6 sets vertical clearances and limb-trimming distances within the 100-foot defensible-space zones around structures and along access roads.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Standard 6 — Defensible Space (implementing Cal. PRC § 4291 and County Code Chapter 15)
Such specimens shall be spaced a minimum of 10-15 feet, both horizontally and vertically, from other specimens, structures or surrounding native brush. Chimneys shall be provided a 10-foot clearance from trees. Trees and shrubs protruding over the access roadway shall be trimmed to a minimum height of 13 feet 6 inches.
Removing protected native deciduous oaks (valley and blue oaks four inches or larger) in the inland rural unincorporated County can require an Oak Tree Removal Permit once cumulative thresholds are exceeded. Most other trees on private land are not subject to a countywide removal permit unless tied to a development or grading permit.
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County enforces a fire-hazard weed-abatement program. Under County Code Chapter 15 (Fire Code Section 4911) the fire chief can declare a parcel a fire hazard and order combustible weeds, brush and growth cleared, with non-compliance handled by County abatement and tax-roll cost recovery.
Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 15 (Fire Prevention), adopting and amending the 2022 California Fire Code (Ord. No. 5170, Dec. 6, 2022)
Accumulations of wastepaper, wood, hay, straw, weeds, litter, or combustible or flammable waste or rubbish of any type shall not be permitted to remain on a roof or in any court, yard, vacant lot, alley, parking lot, open space, or beneath a grandstand, bleacher, pier, wharf, manufactured home, recreational vehicle or other similar structure.
Santa Barbara County applies California's State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (CCR Title 23, Section 490 et seq.) to new and rehabilitated landscapes. Day-to-day watering limits are set by the state and by local water purveyors, not by a single countywide watering-day rule.
Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, §§ 490-495 - Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Us...
Rooftop rainwater harvesting is broadly allowed in unincorporated Santa Barbara County. No County ordinance prohibits rain barrels, which are exempt from permitting under California's Rainwater Capture Act, while larger cistern and conveyance systems must meet California Plumbing Code standards.
Santa Barbara County encourages native and low-water-use plants and incentivizes them through rebates, but does not mandate native planting on existing private yards. Through the State Model WELO, qualifying new and rehabilitated landscapes must meet water-budget limits that favor low-water and native species.
Santa Barbara County has no specific ordinance banning or broadly permitting synthetic lawn. Artificial turf is treated through the building, zoning and fire codes: in wildfire defensible-space Zone 0 (the first 5 feet around a structure) combustible landscape materials are prohibited, so non-combustible products are favored there.
Under California's SB 1383, unincorporated Santa Barbara County residents must divert organic waste from the trash. Backyard composting is allowed and actively encouraged as an alternative, and the County offers discounted compost bins, workshops and free guidance through its Resource Recovery program.
2 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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