Landscaping Rules in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
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 Tree Trimming & Pruning
Some RestrictionsSanta 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.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a protected deciduous oak, four inches or more in trunk diameter, in the county's inland rural agricultural and resource zones outside the coastal zone requires an oak tree removal permit once you exceed a set threshold, under County Code Sec. 35-909. Approval comes from the planning commission after a public hearing.
Santa Barbara County Oak Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 35-909
Protected Oak Tree. A deciduous oak tree four inches or greater in diameter at breast height. ... Oak Tree Removal Permit. A discretionary permit required as prescribed by this ordinance prior to removal of a specified number of protected deciduous oak trees within the inland rural areas of the county. ... Sec. 35-909. - Oak tree removal for non-agricultural purposes. (a)Within the thirty-year ...
Weed Ordinances
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 Grass & Weed Height
Some RestrictionsSanta 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.
Water Restrictions
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.
Santa Barbara County Landscape Water Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCal. 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...
Native Plants
Within the county's Highway 101 Corridor (HC) overlay zone in the South Coast urbanized area, landscape plans must favor drought-tolerant native species. Within 100 feet of riparian habitat, wetlands, or oak woodlands the rule tightens further: only plants indigenous to the south coast of Santa Barbara County may be used, propagated from locally collected seeds or cuttings.
Santa Barbara County Highway 101 Native Plant Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code § 35.28.150(D)(5)(b)
Drought-tolerant native species shall be utilized in landscape plans to the maximum extent feasible. Emphasis shall be placed on using a palette of native species and exotic species (if well adapted and non-invasive). Plants native to southern Santa Barbara County shall be used where they are naturally suited.(1)Within 100 feet of riparian habitat, wetlands or oak woodlands, landscaping shall c...
Artificial Turf
In multiple-unit and mixed-use housing projects governed by Chapter 35.33's objective design standards, artificial or synthetic plants are banned outright, with one carve-out: artificial turf is allowed, but never in a front or street-side setback. Real groundcover, shrubs, and trees are otherwise required at fixed planting ratios.
Santa Barbara County Multi-Family Artificial Turf Rule
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code § 35.33.030(E)(6)-(8)
6.Number of Plants. A minimum of one 15-gallon tree or equivalent box size and 10 five-gallon shrubs shall be planted for every 1,000 square feet of required landscape area.7.Groundcover. Groundcover shall be sized and located to cover at least 75 percent of all landscape areas that are not planted with shrubs or trees within 5 years of installation.a.While groundcovers and shrubs are establish...
Composting
Residents in unincorporated Santa Barbara County may keep a backyard composting bin, but Code Sec. 17-10(e) caps it at fifteen cubic yards total of green material, food processing residue, active compost and stabilized compost on site at any one time. Exceeding that volume is an unlawful act under Chapter 17.
Santa Barbara County Backyard Composting Bin Limit
Light RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 17-10(e)
It shall be unlawful for any person to: ... (e)Have on site at any one time, a backyard composting bin with more than fifteen cubic yards of any combination of green material feedstock, food processing residue feedstock, active compost, and stabilized compost;
Landscaping Rules by City in Santa Barbara County
1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Santa Barbara County ordinances
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