Planning and Environmental Review Permits and Regulations

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Winter Break Application Submittal Information:

The City’s Self-Service public portal will be closed for new or resubmitted Planning, Public Works, and Building application permits after December 19, 2025, at noon except for Building plan check/permits on December 22nd and 23rd via email at buildinggroup@cityofgoleta.gov.

Any applications/resubmittals made after 12pm on December 19th, will be considered submitted on January 5, 2026. The public portal will become available for submittals on January 5, 2026. Building staff will accept building permit applications via email on December 22nd, and until 12 pm on December 23rd. Please contact Building staff at buildinggroup@cityofgoleta.gov or by calling 805-961-7552 to discuss making a building plan check or permit submittal on December 22nd and 23rd.

This section contains forms for Planning and Environmental Review permit applications and information on the City’s current zoning regulations. Please refer to the Advance Planning page for access to the City’s General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan.

For assistance, contact the Planning and Environmental Review Counter at (805) 961-7543.

Apply for a Permit or License here

Zoning Information

Application Forms and Handouts

Please complete the General Planning Application in addition to any forms below.

Application and Submittal Requirements

Accessory Dwelling Units (Non-exempt)

Appeal - Code Compliance Administrative Citations

Appeal - Title 17 Zoning

Cannabis Zoning Conformity Determination

Change of Owner, Operator, or Guarantor

Senate Bill 330 Projects/Materials

Subdivision

Telecommunications - Small Cell Facilities

Handouts

Empty headingThe City’s comprehensive fee schedule is provided online for your reference. Please note that City’s Planning and Environmental Review Department staff will make the final determination on the permits required for an application and the fees to be collected.

Current Fee Schedule Fiscal Year 2025/26

Comprehensive Fee Schedule
Development Impact Fee (DIF) Fee Schedule
Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fee Schedule

Please review on the Finance page here for further information.

Santa Barbara Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan

Santa Barbara Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP)

The basic function of airport land use compatibility plans (ALUCPs or compatibility plans) is to promote compatibility between airports and the land uses that surround them "to the extent that these areas are not already devoted to incompatible uses" (Pub. Util. Code §21674(a)). With limited exception, California law requires preparation of ALUCPs for each public-use and military airport in the state. Most counties have established an Airport Land Use Commission(ALUC), as provided for by law, to prepare compatibility plans for the airports in that county and to review land use plans, development proposals, and certain airport development plans for consistency with the compatibility plans. In Santa Barbara County, the ALUC function rests with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).

2023 Santa Barbara Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP)

Appendix A

Appendix- B-G

Title 17 Permit and Administrative Procedures

The following are references to the City’s Permit and Administrative Procedures. The Goleta Municipal Code (GMC) can be accessed on the front page of the City’s website and the sections noted below for the Permit and Administrative portion of Chapter 17 of the Goleta Municipal Code (GMC) can be found here. For assistance with planning inquires and applications, please contact the Planning Counter at (805) 961-7543.

Appeals (Sec. 17.51.110 of the GMC)

Coastal Development Permits (Chapter 17.61 of the GMC)

Common Procedures (Chapter 17.52 of GMC)

Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 17.57 of the GMC)

Design Review (Chapter 17.58 of the GMC)

Development Agreements (Chapter 17.65 of the GMC)

Development Plans (Chapter 17.59 of the GMC)

Emergency Permits (Chapter 17.64 of the GMC)

Exemptions (Chapter 17.53 of the GMC)

General Plan Amendments (Chapter 17.67 of the GMC)

Land Use Permit (Chapter 17.55 of the GMC)

Modifications (Chapter 17.62 of the GMC)

Reasonable Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities (Chapter 17.63 of the GMC)

Specific Plans (Chapter 17.68 of the GMC)

Temporary Use Permits (Chapter 17.56 of the GMC)

Variances (Chapter 17.60 of the GMC)

Zoning Clearance (Chapter 17.54 of the GMC)

Zoning Map and/or Zoning Regulation Amendments (Chapter 17.67 of the GMC)

Design Guidelines

Architectural Standards for Commercial Projects	Council Resolution. #03-20
Goleta Old Town Heritage District Architecture and Design Guidelines	See Chapter 17.19 of the Goleta Municipal Code
Small Cell Facilities Design and Development Standards	Administered by Public Works Department