New Businesses should research requirements and regulations for the City of Santa Barbara. Review specifications for your business type.
Planning & Zoning Handouts: Planning & Zoning forms
Building & Safety Handouts: Building & Safety forms
This section includes
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordinance
Zoning and Permits: outdoor dining, signs & code enforcement
Fire Inspections: safety inspections
Contractors: local and state licensed
Be sure to see Building & Safety Division for permits, approval and other permit requirements
Click this link for Building & Safety website 
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordinance and Approval Process
See Information and application process by clicking on this link 
Zoning & Permits:
Questions regarding Zoning, “outdoor dining”, business code enforcement and additional permits contact
Community Development/ Public Works at: 630 Garden St. or (805) 564-5485
To ensure Business Zoning and Permit requires contact Public works:
- Click on the link below to reach Public Works Department:
http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/Business/Licenses_Permits/Permits/
Fire Inspection program:
The Santa Barbara City Fire Department conducts Fire and Life Safety inspections on hotels, motels and apartment/condo complexes, educational facilities, professional buildings/ offices, mercantile businesses and assemblies, all restaurants that contain a hood system regardless of size, occupancies of low-high hazards, institutionalized facilities, senior and childcare centers, storage and parking facilities and airport hangars and occupancies. Inspections of this sort are conducted on a 2 year rotational schedule and charged accordingly to occupancy type. Under the California Fire Code, the Fire Department, acting as the “Enforcing Agency”, is allowed to charge reasonable fees to recoup costs associated with these services. As fees in the past remained static for many years, the current fees are reflective of actual costs incurred.
For current information on fire inspection fees please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at
(805) 564-5702
Contractors:
City municipal code requires any business providing Contractor work must process both State and City licenses.
Review Contractor License Status:
State of California
https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicense/LicenseRequest.asp
City of Santa Barbara
Look up City Business License
