ADU Rules in Santa Barbara County, California
We track 2 cities in Santa Barbara County. Each city writes its own ADU ordinance on top of California law, so size limits, fees, and design rules differ from one city to the next. Among the cities we track, Santa Maria has the lowest starting permit fees ($5,000 – $10,000).
Cities
2
Max Detached Size
1,200 sq ft
Build Costs From
$135,000
Pre-approved Plans
0 of 2 cities
Santa Barbara County Cities Compared
| City | Max detached | Height | Permit fees | Build cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria | 1,200 sq ft | 18 ft (detached, single-family lot) | $5,000 – $10,000 | $135,000 – $275,000 |
| Santa Barbara | 1,200 sq ft | Standard ADU: match the primary unit, up to 30 ft | $10,000 – $20,000 | $200,000 – $400,000 |
Santa Maria ADU rules
Santa Maria's ADU rules live in Municipal Code Chapter 12-56, last amended by Ordinance 2024-04. The city allows detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft and 18 ft tall on single-family lots, a bit more generous than the 16 ft state floor. Pre-approved plans come from Santa Barbara County rather than the city, and homes near active farmland may see extra review.
Santa Barbara ADU rules
Santa Barbara sorts ADUs into Standard ADUs, detached units of 850 to 1,200 sq ft that can match the main house height up to 30 ft, and Special ADUs, the state-guaranteed 800 sq ft, 16 ft units. Design compatibility review is common, and foothill lots in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones need fire-hardened construction. Coastal and historic properties may need extra review.
Rules that apply in every California city are summarized in our California ADU law guide. See all California cities or compare every city side by side.