Santa Barbara County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone 2 clearance
- Trim mature trees to 6 ft vertical clearance, or 1/3 tree height (§7.4.4)
- Chimney clearance
- Remove limbs within 10 ft of chimney openings (§6.5.2)
- Road clearance
- Limbs trimmed to 13.5 ft above roadway (§8.5.2)
- Deadwood
- Remove deadwood incl. palm fronds in Zones 1–2
- Oak caution
- Severe pruning that kills a protected oak counts as removal
Summary
Tree trimming in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is driven by wildfire defensible-space rules rather than a general pruning permit. The Fire Department's Standard #6 sets vertical clearances and limb-trimming distances within the 100-foot defensible-space zones around structures and along access roads.
Such specimens shall be spaced a minimum of 10-15 feet, both horizontally and vertically, from other specimens, structures or surrounding native brush. Chimneys shall be provided a 10-foot clearance from trees. Trees and shrubs protruding over the access roadway shall be trimmed to a minimum height of 13 feet 6 inches.
Full Breakdown
There is no countywide ordinance requiring a permit simply to prune an ordinary tree on private land. Instead, trimming obligations come from the County Fire Department's Defensible Space Development Standard #6 and County Code Chapter 15 (Fire Code). 2). 4), and deadwood, including palm fronds, must be removed. 2). Note that pruning a protected deciduous oak so severely that it kills the tree can count as a regulated "removal" under the County's Oak Tree Protection ordinance (see tree-removal-permits). Routine ornamental pruning outside fire zones is generally unregulated by the County.
Violations & Fines
Trimming violations are enforced through the fire-hazard abatement process under County Fire Code Section 4911: the fire chief issues an order, and non-compliance after the stated period (not less than ten days) is an infraction with County-performed abatement costs added to the property tax bill. Excessive pruning of a protected oak may trigger Oak Tree Protection ordinance enforcement and penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to trim my trees in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?
How high must tree limbs be cleared over a driveway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Barbara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Barbara County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.