Public Conduct in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Public Urination
Santa Barbara County makes it a misdemeanor to urinate or defecate on any street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, park, beach, public building, or other publicly maintained facility, or any place open to the public or exposed to public view, under County Code Sec. 24-34. Using a lawfully built public restroom for its intended purpose is expressly not a violation.
Santa Barbara County Public Urination Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 24-34
It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to urinate or defecate in or upon any street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, park, beach, public building or public maintained facility, or any place open to the public or exposed to public view. This section shall not be construed so as to prohibit the use for urination or defecation the lawfully constructed restroom facilities designed for the sa...
Skateboarding Rules
Riding a skateboard is unlawful on three named unincorporated roads, San Marcos Road, Painted Cave Road and Gibraltar Road, and on any posted highway or private property marked "No Skateboards." Violators face fines up to $200 and confiscation of the board.
Santa Barbara County Skateboard Use Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 9-5.2
It shall be unlawful to ride, operate or propel a skateboard or to participate in any exhibition of skateboard operating skills on any public highways listed in subsection (b) and posted with a sign or notice prohibiting such use or on any private property designated for public use when the property has been posted by the owner or person in lawful possession of the premises with a sign or notic...
Loud Party Ordinance
In unincorporated Isla Vista, a deputy can declare a house party a public nuisance once three or more listed offenses, such as battery, vandalism, minors in possession of alcohol, or an unregistered keg, occur at or next to it. The property owner, tenant, or occupant who knowingly hosted the party then faces a misdemeanor under County Code Sec. 36-6.
Santa Barbara County Nuisance Party Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 36-6
(a)A social gathering or party shall be deemed to constitute a public nuisance when, by reason of the conduct of persons in attendance, it results in at least three or more of the following violations of local or state law or ordinance and which violations occur at the site of the social gathering, or on adjacent public property in connection to the social gathering or party within the area bou...
Loitering Rules
Santa Barbara County bans stopping or loitering on overhead crossings and overstructures above state highways, railroads, and county roads in the unincorporated area, under County Code Sec. 23-13. The rule targets pedestrian overpasses over traffic corridors, not general public loitering, and exempts officials performing official duty.
Santa Barbara County Overpass Loitering Ban
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 23-13
No person shall stop or loiter on or about any overhead crossings or overstructures over state highways, railroads or county roads in the unincorporated area of the county; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to officers, agents and employees of the county, the state or the United States, while in the performance of official duty, nor to such persons as may be...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Smoking, vaping, and other tobacco use is banned outdoors across unincorporated Santa Barbara County: within 20 feet of a doorway, window, or vent of an enclosed workplace, in unenclosed dining areas, around county buildings and parking lots, in most recreational areas, and at public events like farmers' markets and fairs.
Santa Barbara County Outdoor Smoking Ban
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 37-5
(a)Smoking and the use of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices is prohibited in the unenclosed areas of the following places within the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara:(1)Unenclosed service areas;(2)Unenclosed areas surrounding buildings and facilities that are owned, leased, or operated by the county, including vehicles and parking lots.(3)Unenclosed areas within ...
Public Alcohol Use
Drinking or possessing an open container of alcohol on a public street, sidewalk, highway, parking lot or alley in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is illegal under Sec. 36-2, and the ban extends to specific Isla Vista beach blocks and access paths unless the county's park director issues an event permit.
Santa Barbara County Public Alcohol Consumption Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County Code Sec. 36-2
Sec. 36-2. - Consumption of intoxicating liquors on public streets. (a)It is unlawful for any person to drink or consume any intoxicating liquor in the unincorporated areas of the county upon any public street, public sidewalk, public highway, public parking lot or public alley. ... (c)The park director, or designee, may establish conditions and issue event permits for the possession and consum...
Public Conduct by City in Santa Barbara County
1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own public conduct rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Santa Barbara County ordinances
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