This chapter provides definitions for specialized terms and phrases used in Title 25. All other applicable definitions in the Santa Barbara Municipal Code apply.
(Ord. 6170, 2/25/2025)
A. Arcade. Architectural Feature.
Definitions.
A series of open or closed arches, supported by pilasters or columns.
Exterior building element intended to provide ornamentation to the building massing, including, but not limited to, the following; eaves, cornices, bay windows, window and door surrounds, light fixtures, canopies, and balconies.
B. Baluster. Base of Building. Bay. Block Length. Block Perimeter. Bracket. Buildable Area. Building.1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Building Form. Building Type. Bulkhead.
Definitions.
A small column, shaft, or other vertical member commonly used in a balustrade to support a top rail or coping.
The lowest division of a building, adjacent to the ground. A building's base may occupy the lowest floor level or levels, or it may be expressed with a water table. In the former case, the base is typically articulated by a change of material or projecting element such as a molding at the upper boundary of the lowest floor or floors. If a water table is used, the lowest portion of the ground-floor wall is finished in a different, more durable material or color, usually articulated with a molding at the upper boundary where the material change occurs. Also called "base."
Any division of a building between vertical lines or planes that run entirely through solid components of the building, including the entire space included between consecutive structural supports.
The horizontal distance from the right-of-way on one end of the block to the right-of-way on the other end along the same street.
The aggregate of all sides of a block bounded by the abutting rights-of-way.
Structural or ornamental elements designed to strengthen the connection between components of a structure that meet at an angle.
The horizontal area on a lot in which a building is allowed to be constructed.
See Section 30.300.020 ("B"), Building.
Building, Block-Scale. A building that is individually as large as a block or individual buildings collectively arranged along a street to form a continuous façade as long as most or all of a block.
Building, House-Scale. A building that is the size of a small- to large house and detached from other buildings, typically ranging from 24 feet to as large as 80 feet overall, including wings.
Building, L-shaped. A horizontal form for the main body of a building or a massing composition which has an extension at a right angle to the length of a building. Also called an "Ell-shaped building."
Building, O-shaped. A horizontal form for the main body of a building or a massing composition which has the shape of the capital letter O except that the form typically includes rectilinear corners.
Building, U-shaped. A horizontal form for the main body of a building or a massing composition which has the shape of the capital letter U. Also called a "C-shaped building."
The overall shape and dimensions of a building.
A structure defined by its combination of configuration, disposition, and function. See also Chapter 25.04 (Building Types).
The area of the storefront between the sidewalk and the base of the display window.
C. Capital. Chamfered. Column. Community Open Space. Coping. Corbel. Corner Element. Cornice.
Definitions.
Uppermost segment of a column or pilaster, directly supporting the beam, lintel, or arch above.
An edge between two faces of an external wall or window, typically at a symmetrical, 45 degree angle creating a beveled edge to the window or building rather than a 90 degree corner.
A vertical shaft extending from the ground or from one part of the structure to another.
A publicly accessible outdoor area. See Section 25.03.160D (Community Open Space).
The horizontal covering of the top of a wall or parapet.
A type of bracket, supporting another element from below and used for structural and aesthetic purposes.
A physical distinction in a building at the corner of two streets.
A horizontal projection traditionally used to join a roof to the wall below and protect the wall from rainwater. The cornice forms the uppermost part of an entablature and may appear secondarily in locations other than at the building's eave or parapet, such as the upper boundary of a base story.
D. Depth, Ground-Floor Space. Design Site. Distance Between Entries. Door.1. 2. 3. 4.
Definitions.
The distance from the street-facing façade to the rear interior wall of the ground-floor space available to an allowed use.
A portion of land within a parcel, delineated from other design sites or parcels, to accommodate no more than one building type. The main purpose of a design site is to allow a parcel large enough to contain more than one building type to contain multiple building types while not requiring the legal subdivision of the parcel into additional parcels. "Design Site" and all related definitions and standards are applicable only to projects using Title 25 of the Municipal Code. See also, Section 25.02.040 (Design Sites).
The horizontal distance between entrances to a building or buildings, measured parallel to the façade.
See Section 30.300.040 ("D"), Door.
Full Glass. Door glass framed by the outermost rails and stiles of the door.
Half Glass. Door glass placed within the upper half of a door, framed by upper and middle rails and stiles.
Vision Glass. Door glass located within the upper portion of a door, occupying no more than one third of the door and designed to provide visibility from the inside to the outside rather than to illuminate the interior.
Overhead. Doors constructed in horizontally hinged sections that are equipped with hardware that rolls the sections into an overhead position, clear of the opening.
E. Eave. Entablature. Entasis. Entry. Expression Line.
Definitions.
See Section 30.300.050 ("E"), Eave.
A superstructure which lies horizontal upon pilasters or columns, and is composed of an architrave, frieze, and cornice.
A slight convex curve in the shaft of a column, introduced to correct the visual illusion of concavity created by the vertical load. In columns with entasis, the diameter at the top of the shaft is typically around five sixths of the diameter at the bottom.
An opening, including, but not limited to, a door, gateway, or gate, that allows access to a building.
A horizontal molding, projection, or other boundary articulating one portion of a façade from the portion above.
F. Façade. Façade Zone. Fascia. Finish Level, Ground Floor. Fluting. Frontage.
Definitions.
See Section 30.300.060 ("F"), Façade.
The area between the minimum and maximum front setback lines along the primary front of a design site and along the secondary front of a corner design site where the building façade is required to be placed. The zone standards identify the minimum amount of façade to abut or be placed in the Façade Zone. "Façade Zone" and all related definitions and standards are applicable only to projects using Title 25 of the Municipal Code. See also, Section 25.02.050 (Façade Zone).
A horizontal board or moulding appended to the end of joists or rafters, as part of roof rake or eave assembly or as part of balcony platform assembly.
The elevation of the top of the ground floor structure to which flooring finishes and materials are applied.
Shallow grooves running vertically along a column or pilaster surface.
A physical element configured to connect the building façade to the back of the sidewalk abutting a street or public open space depending on the intended physical character of the zone. "Frontage" and all related definitions and standards are applicable only to projects using Title 25 of the Municipal Code. See also Chapter 25.05 (Frontages).
G. Gable. Garage. Glazing. Glazing Division.
Definitions.
A vertical wall in the shape of a triangle formed between the cornice or eave and the ridge of the roof.
See Section 30.300.160 ("P"), Parking, Covered.
Openings in a building in which glass is installed.
A module of glass, known as a lite, divided by real or simulated muntins.
H.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter H are defined at this time.
I.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter I are defined at this time.
J.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter J are defined at this time.
K.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter K are defined at this time.
L. Lighting.1. 2. 3. Lintel.
Definitions.
Wall mounted light fixture.
Body. The part of the light fixture that holds the shield.
Mount. The part of the light fixture mounted to the building, sometimes called the backplate or the canopy, including the chain or armature that holds the body.
Shield. The part of the light that controls direction, strength, and spread. Also called a shade.
A horizontal member designed to support the wall above it, such as above an opening. When expressed on a façade, a lintel adds aesthetic value by communicating structural stability at a discontinuity in the wall.
M. Massing. Mortise and Tenon. Mullion. Muntin.
Definitions.
The overall shape or arrangement of the bulk or volume of a building and structures.
A system in which wood members are joined through the use of intersecting cuts, secured by wooden pegs.
Vertical bar providing structural support between windows.
Pieces of non-glazing material to secure multiple panes of glass, or lites, within a window. Muntins serve to articulate glazing divisions.
N.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter N are defined at this time.
O.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter O are defined at this time.
P. Paneling. Panels. Parapet. Parking, Covered.1. 2. 3. Pedestal. Pedestrian Orientation. Pediment. Pilaster. Pitch.
Definitions.
Solid raised or recessed parts of a column, pilaster, or pedestal, surrounded by stiles and rails.
Solid raised or recessed parts of a door, surrounded by stiles, rails, and mullions.
A low wall along the edge of a roof or the portion of a wall that extends above the roof line.
See Section 30.300.160 ("P"), Parking, Covered.
Podium. Parking spaces located in an at-grade garage with shared ingress/egress and maneuvering areas located under the building. The podium parking garage has occupiable space above the garage level.
Subterranean. Parking spaces located below the finished grade of the building.
Tuck-Under. Parking spaces located in an at-grade garage or carport accessed by an open driveway. Tuck-under parking has occupiable space above the garage level.
A substructure that may be placed under a column or pilaster.
A physical structure or place with design qualities and elements that contribute to an active, inviting, and pleasant place for pedestrians.
A triangular or arched element above the lintel or entablature of a door or window.
A column engaged to and projecting from a wall.
The slope of a roof expressed as vertical rise per measure of length.
Q.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter Q are defined at this time.
R. Rail. Rake. Recessed Entry. Roof.1. 2. 3. 4.
Definitions.
Any of the horizontal members of the structure of a door or a window sash.
The junction of a sloped roof and the wall of a building, following the slope of the roof.
An entrance to a building that is set back from the façade of the building.
See Section 30.300.180 ("R"), Roof.
Gable Roof. Roof with sloped surfaces that intersect along a ridge at the uppermost edge.
Hip Roof. Roof with sloped sides rising from multiple intersecting walls. Roof surfaces meet along convex ridges that rise from outside corners, convex valleys that rise from inside corners, and convex ridges at the uppermost edges.
Shed Roof. Roof with its surface sloping in a single direction.
Flat Roof. Nearly level roof which relies on subtle variations in its surface for drainage and is typically surrounded by a parapet.
S. Sash. Shopfront Base. Sidelight. Signage Band. Sill. Stile. Storefront.
Definitions.
A panel of a window, framed using rails and stiles.
A very low wall, that does not include glass, between the bottom of the display windows of a shopfront and the adjacent sidewalk. Also called a "bulkhead."
A glazed panel at the side of a doorway.
The frieze of the storefront entablature, typically used to support wall-mounted lettering and signage.
The horizontal bottom member of a window frame.
Any of the vertical members of the structure of a door or a window sash.
The majority portion of a shopfront frontage that consists of the display window or entrance and its components, including windows, doors, transoms, and sill pane.
T. Transom. Trim.
Definitions.
Glazed lite or window set above a door that is the same width or no wider than the door frame, including sidelights if present.
A narrow strip of wood, moulding, or other material as a surface decoration or the covering for joints and seams between building structure and window and door openings, or at wall edges.
U.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter U are defined at this time.
W. Walkable/Walkability. Wall Plane. Window.1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Wing.
Definitions.
The condition in which an area is highly interconnected with other areas by more through streets than dead-end streets, providing more options for access to recreational walking or for walking to work, transit, errands, shopping, or restaurants.
A vertical surface defined by the façades of buildings.
See Section 30.300.230 ("W"), Window.
Window, Accent. A window typically smaller in its vertical dimension, and occurring less than a typical window.
Window, Awning. A window with one or more sashes hinged horizontally along the top rail.
Window, Bay. See Section 30.300.020 ("B"), Bay Window.
Window, Casement. A window with at least one sash hinged vertically to swing open.
Window, Dormer. A vertical window opening with surrounding wall and roof construction projecting from a sloping roof.
Window, Double Hung. A window with two sashes arranged one above the other, both of which are moveable in the vertical direction.
Window, Fixed. A window or part of one that cannot be moved or opened.
Window, Ganged. An opening composed of two or three typical windows, of which one typical window may be replaced with a picture window.
Window, Picture. A fixed window designed to take advantage of a view by reducing visual obstruction. Picture windows do not have glazing division.
Window, Single Hung. A window with two sashes arranged one above the other, one of which is moveable in the vertical direction.
Window, Typical. A regular recurring window (i.e., size or lite pattern) on a façade.
A structure of at least five feet in depth physically attached to, and secondary to, the main body of a main building.
X.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter X are defined at this time.
Y.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter Y are defined at this time.
Z.
Definitions. No specialized terms beginning with the letter Z are defined at this time.
(Ord. 6170, 2/25/2025)