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Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County
ADUs & home additions in Santa Barbara, CA.
Santa Barbara has one of the more detailed ADU systems on the coast, with separate coastal and inland rules, a pre-approved plan program and special standards in high fire areas.
Building in Santa Barbara
Detail-driven rules for a detail-driven city.
Building in Santa Barbara means paying attention to architecture, neighborhood character and a set of ADU rules that differ by location.
The city has separate ADU ordinances for the Coastal Zone and inland areas, and different standards in high fire areas. It also runs a pre-approved ADU program with designs from several architects, discounted plan check fees and a fast plan check turnaround, though those designs cannot be used in front yards, historic districts or on properties with historic resources.
Good ADU and addition work here means matching Spanish-influenced details like arched openings and coved ceilings, preserving the character of older homes and reusing sound structure where possible. A consultation can help you choose between a pre-approved design and a custom one based on your lot, your neighborhood and the review path each requires.
What to know in Santa Barbara
- The city's Preapproved ADU Program lists detached plans from several designers, cuts plan check fees by 25 percent and generally completes plan check within 10 business days.
- Preapproved designs may not be placed in a front yard or used in historic districts or on properties with historic resources.
- Santa Barbara has separate ADU ordinances for the Coastal Zone (SBMC 28.86) and inland areas (SBMC 30.185.040).
- The city's 2023 ADU update distinguished larger standard ADUs from smaller ADUs allowed in high fire areas; confirm which standard applies to your parcel.
Project types in Santa Barbara
ADUs and additions in Santa Barbara.
ADUs
Accessory dwelling units of every type, from feasibility and permits through final inspection.
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Garage-to-ADU Conversions
Reuse an existing garage for the fastest, most economical path to a complete ADU.
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Detached ADUs
Freestanding backyard homes with full foundations, framing, utilities and finishes.
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Attached ADUs
Units that share a wall with the main house, including attached-garage conversions.
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Junior ADUs (JADUs)
Up to 500 square feet created within your existing home, with an efficiency kitchen.
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Home Additions
Room additions, kitchen expansions and roof decks built to blend with your home.
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Second-Story Additions
Build up instead of out, with structural evaluation, engineering and framing done right.
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Primary Suite Additions
Master bedroom and bathroom additions with closets, showers and soaking tubs.
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Santa Barbara ADU & addition questions
Does Santa Barbara have pre-approved ADU plans?
Yes. The city's Preapproved ADU Program offers detached designs from several designers, with 25 percent lower plan check fees and plan check generally completed within 10 business days. They cannot be used in front yards, historic districts or on historic properties.
Can I build an ADU in a Santa Barbara high fire area?
Yes, but different size and construction standards apply. The city's 2023 update allows smaller ADUs in high fire areas. Check your parcel's designation early.
Is my property under the coastal or inland ADU ordinance?
It depends on whether the parcel is in the Coastal Zone. The city has separate ordinances for each, so confirm which applies at the start.
Nearby areas
Also serving areas near Santa Barbara.
Free consultation
Planning an ADU or addition in Santa Barbara?
Share a few details about your property and the space you want to add. We will pass your request to a licensed local general contractor who specializes in ADUs and additions, and they will follow up directly.
- Free consultation and site visit
- A realistic budget conversation before you pay for plans
- A licensed general contractor from permit to final