Santa Barbara County, California Building Permit Guide

Santa Barbara County Planning and Development has two offices: 123 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805-568-2000) and 624 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455-3655 (805-934-6250). Its Building and Safety Division issues building permits, inspects construction and investigates complaints. The building and zoning counters are open Mondays & Tuesdays 9:00 am to 2:00 pm by appointment only, and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm for walk-ins.

This guide covers County Planning and Development and the City of Santa Barbara. Well permits, County road permits and the other cities’ permit offices could not be checked.

Who handles permitting in Santa Barbara County?

Census population estimates list eight incorporated cities in Santa Barbara County, each running its own permitting: Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Guadalupe, Solvang and Buellton. County applications for Building, Planning, Fire, Transportation, Water Resources (flood control) and Surveyor go through the County’s Accela Citizen Access portal.

Septic systems in Santa Barbara County

The County has a Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) for septic systems, approved by the Central Coast Water Board. New or replacement septic systems in the County’s jurisdiction that do not meet the LAMP’s conditions need a permit from the Central Coast Water Board instead.

California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments

Santa Barbara County permit costs and fees

Building fees are set in the County Planning & Development Fee Schedule for Building Permits, effective 7/1/2026 (Fee Ordinance 5271):

• New single-family dwelling or duplex (2,500 sq ft base): plan check $7,244 plus $2.77 per sq ft over base; inspection $10,812 plus $4.14 per sq ft over base.
• New ADU or residential addition (500 sq ft base): plan check $1,701 and inspection $2,538.
• Over-the-counter minor alteration, for example a kitchen or bath facelift: $188 plan check plus $627 inspection.
• Hourly plan check and inspection rate: $313. Intake processing fee $79; issuance processing fee $156.
• Surcharges: 6.00% Technology & Records Maintenance and, on many items, 3.70% General Plan Maintenance.

A re-check fee is charged from the fourth check of the same plan.

Inspections in Santa Barbara County

County inspections are scheduled by phone or email: North County 805-934-6232, South County 805-568-3118. Requests must be in by 3PM the business day before, and email requests get an acknowledgement confirming or denying the date.

Building permits in the City of Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara, the county seat, has its Building & Safety, Planning and Public Works permit counters at 630 Garden Street, open for walk-ins Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Building & Safety Counter phone is (805) 564-5485. Since January 6, 2025, City building inspection requests are accepted only online through the City’s Accela Citizen Access permit portal.

Official Santa Barbara County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Santa Barbara County Planning and Development contacts
• County building inspection process
• County Accela Citizen Access portal
• County fee schedule for building permits (PDF)
• Central Coast Water Board septic permits
• City of Santa Barbara permit counters
• City of Santa Barbara online-only inspection requests

Frequently asked questions

Can I walk in to the Santa Barbara County building counter?

On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, are by appointment only.

What is the cut-off for a County inspection request?

3PM the business day before, by phone or email: North County 805-934-6232, South County 805-568-3118.

What does a kitchen or bath facelift permit cost in the County?

The fee schedule effective 7/1/2026 lists an over-the-counter minor alteration permit at $188 plan check plus $627 inspection.

Simplify Santa Barbara County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check whether the parcel is handled by the County or by a city, and which approvals the project needs
• Assemble and file the application and plans through the County’s portal or counter
• Track review, pay fees and schedule each inspection through to final

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Santa Barbara County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.