Right to Farm in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Farm Nuisance Protection

Santa Barbara County shields established agricultural operations on land zoned A-I, A-II, or exclusively for agriculture from nuisance lawsuits once they have run for more than three years without being a nuisance at the outset. Neighbors who move in near farms accept the dust, noise, and odor that come with them, under County Code Sec. 3-23.

Santa Barbara County Right-to-Farm Protection

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Code Sec. 3-23

(a)Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this division is to protect agricultural land uses on land designated on the Comprehensive Plan/Coastal Plan, Land Use Maps as A-I or A-II, or on land zoned exclusively for agricultural use from conflicts with nonagricultural land uses that may result in financial hardship to agricultural operators or the termination of their operation. ... (d)No agricultur...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Agricultural Zoning Protection

Commercial farms and ranches on land zoned AG-I, AG-II, or exclusively for agriculture in unincorporated Santa Barbara County cannot become a nuisance over dust, noise, or odor once they have operated more than three years without complaint, under County Code Sec. 3-23. Cannabis cultivation is excluded from this protection.

Santa Barbara County Right-to-Farm Law

Light Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Code Sec. 3-23(d)

No agricultural activity, operation or facility, or appurtenances thereof, conducted or maintained for commercial purposes, and in a manner consistent with proper and accepted customs and standards, as established and followed by similar agricultural operations in the same locality, shall be or become a nuisance, private or public, due to any changed condition in or about the locality, after th...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Right to Farm by City in Santa Barbara County

1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own right to farm rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Santa MariaPop. 112,076

1 verified rule • Agricultural Zoning Protection

All Santa Barbara County ordinances

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