Most of the county's population resides within incorporated cities (e.g., Santa Barbara, Goleta, Buellton, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Solvang) which manage their own building permits and planning. The County Planning and Development Department handles unincorporated areas. Coastal Commission review is often required for projects in the coastal zone, and specific fire hazard severity zones may trigger additional review.
Projects within the coastal zone are subject to review by the California Coastal Commission, requiring specific permits and adherence to coastal development policies.
How this fits with the state
The state authority here is California Contractors State License Board. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.
Source · Santa Barbara County Planning and Development DepartmentLast verified · 05 / 2026