Santa Barbara County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed Zones
- M-RP, M-1, M-2 industrial
- Data-Center Rule
- None specific; industrial use
- Entitlement
- Development Plan and/or Conditional Use Permit
- Also Required
- CEQA; coastal CDP if applicable
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Santa Barbara County has no data-center-specific ordinance. A data center is treated as an industrial use, belonging in the M-RP, M-1, or M-2 zones, and needs a discretionary land use permit plus CEQA review. County zoning covers only unincorporated land, not the eight cities.
The M-RP zone is applied to areas to provide exclusively for light industry, technical research, and business headquarters offices (as the primary land use types) that are located in well-designed buildings and attractively landscaped areas.
Full Breakdown
The County's Land Use and Development Code (Chapter 35) does not define 'data center.' Planning classifies a server-and-computing facility as an industrial use, allowed in the M-RP Industrial Research Park, M-1 Light Industry, or M-2 General Industry zones. Because it is not listed by right, the use requires a discretionary entitlement, a Development Plan and/or Conditional Use Permit under Section 35.82.060, which triggers CEQA review of power, water, and noise. Parcels in the Coastal Zone fall under the separate Coastal Zoning Ordinance and also need a Coastal Development Permit. These rules govern only unincorporated land; the eight incorporated cities, including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc, set their own zoning.
Violations & Fines
Building a data center without the required Development Plan or Conditional Use Permit, or on non-industrial land, is a zoning violation. Planning & Development can deny permits, issue stop-work orders, and pursue code-enforcement penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a data center be built in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?
Does Santa Barbara County have data center rules, and how can I weigh in?
Do county zoning rules apply inside cities like Santa Maria or Lompoc?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Barbara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Barbara County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.