Santa Barbara, CA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

The City of Santa Barbara's Fence, Screen, Wall and Hedge Guidelines focus on the allowed location and height of fences, screens, walls and hedges, and expressly state that the exact material, color, width and style may be subject to other guidelines, such as the Single Family Residence Design Guidelines. Material and aesthetic review is handled through the City's design-review boards. Under SBMC 22.69.020.C.8, a building permit to construct, alter or add a wall, fence or gate greater than 3.5 feet in height in the front yard of a single-family lot must be referred to the Single Family Design Board for design review; under SBMC 22.69.020.C.7, a retaining wall six feet or greater in height is also referred to that board. For duplexes and multi-family residential buildings, SBMC 22.68.020.B refers building permits for exterior work (including fences and walls) to the Architectural Board of Review. In the El Pueblo Viejo and Brinkerhoff Avenue Landmark Districts, SBMC 22.22.130.A requires Historic Landmarks Commission approval for exterior construction or alteration, and 22.22.130.D requires HLC approval to place, alter or remove visible natural features and landscaping. Because the City defers specific material rules to these boards, there is no single citywide list of banned fence materials; restrictions depend on the applicable design guidelines and district.