No fence, screen, wall or hedge over 3.5 feet may stand in a driveway visibility triangle: 10 ft along the driveway and 10 ft back from the front lot line where a sidewalk and parkway exist, or 20 ft and 10 ft where none exist. Corner-lot intersection sight distances are evaluated by Public Works case-by-case.
The City of Santa Barbara imposes sight-line requirements to keep fences from blocking visibility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Per the City's Fence, Screen, Wall and Hedge Guidelines (implementing SBMC 28.87.170.C.3 and D.3), no fence, screen, wall or hedge exceeding three and one-half feet (3.5') may be located within a triangular visibility area on either side of a driveway. When the driveway abuts a street improved with a sidewalk and parkway, the triangle is measured 10 feet from the side of the driveway and 10 feet back from the front lot line. When the driveway abuts a street without a sidewalk or parkway, the triangle is measured 20 feet from the side of the driveway and 10 feet back. For corner lots (SBMC 28.87.170.C.4 and D.4), the height and location of fences, screens, walls or hedges within the required Intersection Sight Distance are evaluated by Public Works staff on a case-by-case basis, based on legal vehicle speed and driver eye position; elements adjacent to all-way-stop-controlled intersections are not subject to additional height restrictions under this provision. Required sight lines must be maintained even when an Administrative height exception is granted.
A fence, hedge, wall or screen that exceeds 3.5 feet within a driveway visibility triangle or that obstructs a required corner intersection sight distance is a violation and a potential traffic-safety hazard. The City and Public Works can order it lowered or removed.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara addresses animal hoarding through its care-and-keeping and nuisance provisions plus California's anti-cruelty law. Keeping animals ...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara does not publish a dedicated wildlife-feeding ban in its general animal regulations, but feeding wild animals can create a public n...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara requires a license for each unaltered cat over four months old, obtained from the City. There is no leash requirement for cats. Red...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara requires licensing for dogs over four months old and for unaltered cats. The City runs its own Animal Control through the Police De...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara restricts livestock to large lots. Cows, hogs, sheep, goats, and other hoofed animals (except horses) require a lot of at least 1.5...
santa-barbara-ca
The City of Santa Barbara allows residents to keep chickens and other fowl, with numeric limits that scale by zoning. Roosters are banned citywide. Coops mus...
See how Santa Barbara's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.