🏡 Santa Barbara Launches Preapproved ADU Plans: Faster, Easier, Smarter
In Santa Barbara, the housing conversation has officially hit “game-changer” status: the City and County are now offering preapproved plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). If you’ve been dreaming of an in-law suite, home office, rental unit, or just extra space without architect fees and endless red tape, THIS is your moment.
Why This Matters
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Speed + Certainty – These plans are already vetted by Planning and Building & Safety, so the permit review tends to take half the usual time- typically just 10 business days
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Save 💵 – With 25% off plan check fees and no need for custom designs, homeowners could save as much as $25,000 compared to starting from scratch (City of Santa Barbara)
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Blueprint & Style Options – Choose from vetted plans in Spanish, Farmhouse, Ranch and Mediterranean... and from attached studios to 3-bedroom units. (Noozhawk)
How It Works (Step by Step)
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Check Eligibility – Confirm your property is in a qualifying zone. Multi-unit or historic properties may have different rules (City of Santa Barbara)
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Browse Plans – Review preapproved designs and contact the architects or builders behind them. These templates are 70–80% complete (City of Santa Barbara)
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Submit Your Site Info – Add property-specific details (like site plans or engineering), sign forms, and apply (City of Santa Barbara).
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Get Fast Permit – Expect feedback in ~10 business days, assuming your submission matches the selected plan (City of Santa Barbara)
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Build & Inspect – Once the permit’s in hand, proceed with construction as usual- and city inspectors will guide the process. :)
County-Level Rollout
Santa Barbara County recently awarded a $150K contract to RRM Design Group to create county-wide preapproved ADU designs, mirroring efforts by cities. It all goes live this August, helping homeowners jump into ADU projects faster than ever. (Noozhawk)
Around the Central Coast
Santa Barbara isn’t alone:
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Carpinteria debuted city-backed prototypes in 2023
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Buellton, Goleta, Santa Barbara city, and even Lompoc are all rolling out or reviewing their own preapproved ADU efforts
TL;DR
Think of it like choosing a curated, ready-to-go kitchen kit instead of designing one from scratch: fewer decisions, less time, and a predictable result. If you’ve been thinking of an extra space on your property - whether it’s for family, guests, income, or creative work- these preapproved plans cut costs, delays, and headaches. Seems like a "no brainer" as my mother-in-law says!
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!
~Mckenzie
