Santa Barbara County, CA Home Business: Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 35.42.190 of the Santa Barbara County Land Use & Development Code sets the permit framework for home occupations. Before commencing a home occupation within a dwelling or artist studio, the operator must obtain a Land Use Permit (Section 35.82.110) or, within the Coastal Zone, a Coastal Development Permit (Section 35.82.050), unless the occupation qualifies for an exemption. Before the permit issues, the property owner must record a Notice to Property Owner certifying that the home occupation will comply with the development standards. Key operating limits include: the work is done solely by the dwelling's occupants with no on-site employees (off-site employees or partners are allowed if they do not report to the home), no more than five customers, patients, clients, or students served on the lot at one time, deliveries limited to two business-related per week, and a 65 dBA exterior noise cap. An exemption from the permit is available for occupations such as accounting, bookkeeping, consulting, and telephone sales that meet standards 1-4 and 6-15, serve no clients on the lot, do not list the home address in advertising (except cards/letterhead), and conduct business transactions only by phone, fax, computer, or correspondence. Where the dwelling relies on a septic system, written clearance from Public Health is required before permit approval.