Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)

1 county-level rule, 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.

Density Bonus Law

Chapter 35.32 implements California's State Density Bonus Law locally: a housing development of five or more units that reserves a share of units for lower-, very low-, or moderate-income households, seniors, or other qualifying groups can build more units than the base zone allows, plus request incentives, concessions, and parking or development-standard waivers.

Santa Barbara County Density Bonus Program Rules

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Code § 35.32.010, § 35.32.020(A)(1)

This Chapter implements State Density Bonus Law, including Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918, and successor statutes. ... A.Eligible projects. Except as provided in Subsection B (Ineligible projects) below, the following projects shall be eligible for density bonuses, incentives or concessions, waivers or reductions of development standards, and/or parking ratios pursuant to the amou...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses by City in Santa Barbara County

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

Santa MariaPop. 112,076

1 verified rule • Density Bonus Law

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