City of Goleta, CA Chapter 17.07 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

§ 17.07.010 Purpose and Intent.

The general purposes of the Residential Districts are to:

A. Provide for a variety of residential development with a range of housing opportunities necessary to meet the needs of all segments of the community, consistent with the General Plan;

B. Protect and enhance the character of well-established residential neighborhoods;

C. Establish development and design standards to help create distinct and attractive residential neighborhoods and ensure that new residential development and the expansion of existing structures is compatible with the character of adjacent existing development; and

D. Provide for appropriate public and quasi-public uses where they are compatible with and contribute to the scale, sense of place, and quality of life in residential neighborhoods.

The specific intent of each Residential District are as follows:

RS Single Family Residential. This District is intended to protect land areas for families living in low-density residential environments by implementing the Single-Family Residential Use Category (R-SF) land use designation established in the General Plan.

RP Planned Residential. This District is intended to provide flexibility and encourage innovation and diversity in design of residential developments by allowing a wide range of densities and housing types while requiring provision of a substantial amount of restricted open space and other common amenities within new developments through implementation of the Planned Residential (R-P) land use designation set forth in the General Plan. Clustering of residential units is encouraged, where appropriate, to provide efficient use of space while preserving natural, cultural, and scenic resources of a site.

RM Residential—Medium Density. This District is intended for multi-family housing and accessory uses customarily associated with residences by implementing the Medium-Density (R-MD) land use designation of the General Plan. Development may also include attached and detached single-unit dwellings. This District may also function as a transition between business uses and single-family residential neighborhoods.

RH Residential—High Density. This District is intended for multi-family housing and accessory uses customarily associated with residences by implementing the High-Density (R-HD) land use designation of the General Plan. Development may also include attached and detached single-unit dwellings. This District may also function as a transition between higher intensity business uses and medium-density multi-family housing and single-family residential neighborhoods.

RMHP Residential—Mobile Home Park. This District is intended to provide for housing in mobile home parks through implementation of the Mobile Home Park (R-MHP) land use designation set forth in the General Plan. It is further intended that the mobile home park sites be planned as a whole to include an adequate internal vehicular and pedestrian circulation system and parking facilities, common open space, recreation facilities, and other common amenities.

(Ord. 20-03 § 6)

§ 17.07.020 Land Use Regulations.

Table 17.07.020 below prescribes the land use regulations for Residential Districts. The table also notes additional use regulations that apply to various uses. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this Title. Use classifications are defined in Chapter 17.72, Use Classifications.

TABLE 17.07.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS—RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
“P”—Zoning Permit or Exempt “MU”—Minor Conditional Use Permit “CU”—Major Conditional Use Permit “-”—Use Not Allowed
Uses	District					Additional Regulations
	RS	RP	RM	RH	RMHP
Residential Uses
Residential Housing Types
Single-Unit Dwelling, Detached	P	P	P	P	-
Single-Unit Dwelling, Attached	P	P	P	P	-
Multiple-Unit Development	-	P	P	P	-
Accessory Dwelling Unit	See § 17.41.030, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
Farmworker Housing	See § 17.41.150, Farmworker Housing
Group Residential	-	CU	CU	CU	-	See § 17.41.160, Group Residential
Mobile Home Parks	-	-	-	-	P
Residential Care Facilities
Small	P	P	P	P	P
Large	-	-	P	P	-	See § 17.41.220, Residential Care Facilities
Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing	-	CU	CU	CU	-	See § 17.41.250, Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing
Supportive Housing	See § 17.41.290, Supportive Housing.
Transitional Housing	Subject only to those standards and permit procedures as they apply to other residential dwellings of the same type (use) in the same zone.
Public/Quasi-Public Uses
Community Assembly	MU	MU	MU	MU	-
Community Garden	MU	MU	MU	MU	-	See § 17.41.100, Community Gardens
Day Care Facility	MU	MU	MU	MU	-	See § 17.41.110, Day Care Facilities
Government Buildings1	P	P	P	P	P
Public Safety Facilities	P	P	P	P	-
Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses
Communication Facilities	See Chapter 17.42, Telecommunications Facilities.
Accessory Uses
Animal Keeping	P	P	P	P	P	See § 17.41.060, Animal Keeping
Cannabis Personal Use Cultivation	P	P	P	P	P	See § 17.41.090, Cannabis Uses
Family Day Care
Small	P	P	P	P	P	See § 17.41.140, Family Day Care
Large	P	P	P	P	P	See § 17.41.140, Family Day Care
Home Occupation	P	P	P	P	P	See § 17.41.170, Home Occupations
Temporary Uses	See § 17.41.260, Temporary Uses, for permit requirements for each type of temporary use
Nonconforming Uses	See Chapter 17.36, Nonconforming Uses and Structures

Notes:
1	Limited to City Hall only.

(Ord. 20-03 § 6; Ord. 23-05 § 4)

§ 17.07.030 Development Regulations.

Table 17.07.030 prescribes development regulations for the Residential Districts for permitted and conditionally permitted uses. Letters in parentheses (e.g., (A)) refer to the regulations following the table. When in the “Additional Regulations” column, the regulations apply to all districts. When in just one district’s column, the regulations apply only to that particular district. The numbers in each illustration below refer to corresponding regulations in the “#” column in the associated table. Regulations specifically applicable to one or more residential districts can be found below in Section 17.07.040 et seq. Regulations applicable to all zoning districts are in Part IV of this Title.

TABLE 17.07.030: DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS—RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
	District					Additional Regulations	#
	RS	RP	RM	RH	RMHP
Minimum Lot Area (sq. ft.)	RS-43.6: 43,560 RS-20: 20,000 RS-12: 12,000 RS-10: 10,000 RS-8: 8,000 RS-7: 7,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	4,000	See subsection 17.07.040(B) for exceptions in RS.
Minimum Lot Width (ft.)	RS-43.6: 120 RS-20: 100 RS-12: 80 RS-10: 80 RS-8: 75 RS-7: 65	N/A	N/A	N/A	50	See subsection 17.07.040(B) for exceptions in RS.	1
Maximum Lot Coverage	N/A	30%	30%	50%	75%	See subsection 17.07.040(A) for Maximum Floor Area standards in RS.
Dwelling Unit Density (units/acre) - See § 17.41.030, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
Maximum	5	13	20	30(A)	15
Minimum	N/A	N/A	15	15(F)	N/A
Maximum Building Height (ft.)	25	35	35	35	25		2
Minimum Setbacks (ft.)	For RMHP, the setback standards apply to the perimeter of the Mobile Home Park. Setbacks from individual mobile homes are provided in § 17.07.060(C).
Front	20	20	20	20	20	(B)	3
Interior Side	10% of lot width; min 5, max 10	10	10	10	15	(C)	4
Street Side	10	• Lots less than 100 feet in width: 20% of lot width, min 10 • Lots 100 feet or more in width: Same as required front setback (G)				(B)	5
Rear	25(D)	10	10	10	15	(E)	6
Parking	See Chapter 17.38, Parking and Loading

A. Increased Density for Special Needs Housing, RH District. Housing for special needs populations may be approved at higher than the base density in the RH District with Major Conditional Use Permit approval.

1. Required Finding. The impacts on traffic, public facilities and services, biological resources, air and water quality, visual resources, or other environmental resources would not be greater than the impacts associated with development at the base density.

B. Landscaping and Paving. All required front and street-side setbacks, except walkways and driveways, must be landscaped consistent with Chapter 17.34, Landscaping. The maximum amount of impervious paving and other hardscape (inclusive of driveways and parking areas) in front and street side setbacks is 50 percent of the required setback area.

C. Zero Side Setback Allowance. A zero-side setback may be permitted provided the opposite side setback on the lot is 20 percent of the lot width and the adjacent lot is in the same ownership or an agreement has been recorded giving the written consent of the adjacent lot owner and providing for access for maintenance of the zero-lot-line structure. A recorded maintenance easement must be an irrevocable covenant running with the land.

D. Reduced Rear Setbacks Abutting Public Open Space. The required rear setback is reduced to 15 feet if the rear setback abuts a permanently dedicated public open space or a street to which access has been denied as part of an approved subdivision or other approved permit.

E. Reduced Rear Setbacks, Corner Lots Backing on Key Lots. The rear setback for a corner lot backing up on a key lot may be reduced to the size of the required side setback for the key lot or 10 feet, whichever is greater, provided the front, side, and rear setback area required by the applicable district regulations is not reduced. An accessory structure on a corner lot backing up on a key lot shall be set back from the rear property line by a distance equal to the side setback requirements applicable to the key lot.

F. Increased Minimum Density, RH District. The following sites shall have a minimum residential density of 20 dwelling units per acre:

1. 7264 Calle Real (APN 07-130-006).

2. 449 Kellogg Way (APN 071-130-039).

3. 469 Kellogg Way (APN 071-130-010).

4. 60 Colusa Avenue (APN 077-155-004).

5. 7190 Hollister Avenue (APN 073-030-005).

6. Parcels to East of 7190 Hollister Avenue (APN 073-030-009 and APN 073-030-006).

7. 35 Ellwood Station Drive (APN 079-210-066).

8. 7360 Hollister Avenue (APN 073-020-003, APN 073-020-034, and APN 073-020-035).

G. Street Side Setbacks in RP. Where the principal use on a parcel in the RP Zone District is a detached single-unit dwelling, the street side setback standard shall be 10 feet.

(Ord. 20-03 § 6; Ord. 21-07 § 4; Ord. 22-06 § 4; Ord. 23-05 § 4; Ord. 23-14 § 4; Ord. 23-16 § 4; Ord. 23-17 § 4; Ord. 24-01, 4/16/2024)

§ 17.07.040 Additional Development Regulations for the RS District.

A. Maximum Floor Area. No single-unit dwelling or habitable accessory structure may be constructed or exteriorly expanded unless the proposed structure or expansion complies with the following standards for maximum allowable floor area for all structures on the lot, including garages. Development that exceeds these floor area standards may be approved subject to Design Review approval by the Design Review Board.

B. The applicant must request in the application the incentives or concessions the applicant wishes to obtain, together with reasonable documentation showing how the incentives and/or concessions will result in cost reductions for the project. Applications will be reviewed and processed according to the provisions of Chapter 17.52, Common Procedures.

TABLE 17.07.040: MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA—RS DISTRICT
Lot Size	Maximum Allowed Floor Area
Less than 5,000 sq. ft.	1,600 sq. ft.
5,000-5,999 sq. ft.	1,600 sq. ft. + (0.3 x lot area over 5,000 sq. ft.)
6,000-6,999 sq. ft.	1,900 sq. ft. + (0.28 x lot area over 6,000 sq. ft.)
7,000-7,999 sq. ft.	2,180 sq. ft. + (0.25 x lot area over 7,000 sq. ft.)
8,000-8,999 sq. ft.	2,430 sq. ft. + (0.22 x lot area over 8,000 sq. ft.)
9,000-9,999 sq. ft.	2,650 sq. ft. + (0.18 x lot area over 9,000 sq. ft.)
10,000-11,999 sq. ft.	2,830 sq. ft. + (0.14 x lot area over 10,000 sq. ft.)
12,000-14,999 sq. ft.	3,110 sq. ft. + (0.10 x lot area over 12,000 sq. ft.)
15,000-19,999 sq. ft.	3,410 sq. ft. + (0.05 x lot area over 15,000 sq. ft.)
20,000+ sq. ft.	3,660 sq. ft. + (0.03 x lot area over 20,000 sq. ft.)

C. Government Code Section 65852.21 Projects.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to allow and appropriately regulate through a ministerial, objective process housing development projects containing no more than two residential units within a lot in a single-family residential zone in accordance with Government Code Sections 65852.21.

2. Applicability. This subsection only applies to qualifying projects pursuant to Government Code Section 65852.21. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, development must comply with the objective standards of the RS District. The objective standards of the RS District apply unless there is a conflict with a standard in this subsection, in which case the standard in this subsection applies. If any standard in this subsection conflicts with Government Code Section 65852.21, state law prevails.

3. Permit Required.

a. Inland Area. Within the inland area of the City, ministerial review, approval, and issuance of a Land Use Permit by the Director is required for construction of a project pursuant to this subsection.

b. Coastal Zone. Within the Coastal Zone of the City, review, approval, and issuance of a Coastal Development Permit by the California Coastal Commission is required for construction of a project pursuant to this subsection.

4. Hold Harmless. Applicants must agree, as part of the application, to hold the City harmless from all claims and damages related to the approval and its subject matter and reimburse the City for all costs of enforcement, including attorneys' fees and costs associated with enforcing the requirements of this chapter.

5. Required Findings. The required findings for a Land Use Permit under this subsection are limited to the following findings:

a. The proposed project is consistent with the standards in this subsection.

b. The proposed project conforms to all other objective standards within this Title and the General Plan to the extent that such objective standards do not conflict within any requirements or standards within this subsection.

c. Any zoning violation enforcement on the subject premise has been resolved as permitted by law.

d. The proposed development is located on a legally created lot.

e. In concurrence with the Building Official, the proposed project would not have a specific, adverse impact, as defined in California Government Code Section 65589.5(d)(2), on public health and safety or, if there is such an impact, there is a feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact.

No additional findings are required for a project processed pursuant to this subsection, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Title.

6. Finding for Denial. If the Director fails to make the finding in subsection C.5.e above, the denial shall include a finding from the Building Official that, based on a preponderance of the evidence, there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact and the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives of preventing the adverse impact.

7. Timing. An application under this subsection shall be considered and approved or denied within 60 days from the date the City receives a completed application. If the City has not approved or denied the completed application within 60 days, the application shall be deemed approved.

8. Denial Comments. If the City denies an application for a proposed housing development pursuant to subsection C.5 above, the City shall, within 60 days of receipt of the completed application, return in writing a full set of comments to the applicant with a list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the application can be remedied by the applicant.

9. Development Standards. A project must meet the following requirements.

a. Development Location. Development must be located consistent with the requirements of Government Code Section 65852.21(a)(2) (referencing Government Code Sections 65913.4(a)(6)(B through K), as that section read on September 16, 2021).

b. Historic Resources. The development must not be within:

i. A district or property that is included on the State Historic Resources Inventory, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 5020.1; or

ii. A site that is designated by the City as a historic resource pursuant to Chapter 17.33.

c. Protected Housing. The project shall not require or include the demolition or alteration of any of the following types of housing:

i. Housing that is subject to a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels affordable to persons and families of moderate, low, or very-low income;

ii. Housing that is subject to any form of rent or price control through a public entity's valid exercise of its police power; or

iii. Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last three years.

d. Withdrawn Accommodation. The parcel subject to the proposed housing development is not a parcel on which an owner of residential real property has exercised the owner's rights under Chapter 12.75 (commencing with Section 7060) of Division 7 of Title 1 to withdraw accommodations from rent or lease within 15 years before the date that the development proponent submits an application.

e. Number of Dwelling Units.

i. No more than two dwelling units of any kind may be built on a lot that results from an urban lot split. For purposes of this paragraph, "dwelling unit" includes, but is not limited to, a principal dwelling unit, a unit created under this section, an ADU, or a JADU.

ii. A lot that is not created by an urban lot split may have up to a two-unit project under this section, plus any ADU or JADU that must be allowed pursuant to Section 17.41.030, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

f. Setbacks for Existing Structures. No setback is required for a new structure that is constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing legally established structure.

g. Parking. Each new principal dwelling unit must have at least one off-street parking space in a garage.

i. Exception. No parking is required if one of the following applies:

(A) The parcel is located within one-half mile walking distance of either a high-quality transit corridor, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21155(b), or a major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21064.3.

(B) The site is located within one block of a car-share vehicle location.

10. Zoning Violations. A project may only be approved if any zoning violation enforcement on the subject premises has been resolved as permitted by law.

11. Building Code Requirements. All structures built on the lot must comply with Title 15 of the Goleta Municipal Code.

12. Short-Term Vacation Rentals. No dwelling unit on the lot may be rented as a short- term vacation rental, as the term is defined in Goleta Municipal Code Section 5.08.020.

13. Deed Restriction. The owner must record a deed restriction, on a form provided by the City, that does the following:

a. Expressly prohibits any rental of any dwelling on the property for a period of less than 30 days, unless already included in a deed restriction.

14. General Exception. The standards imposed by this subsection 17.07.040C and this Title must yield to the degree necessary to avoid physically precluding the construction of up to two units on the lot or either of the two units from being at least 800 square feet in floor area.

a. Setback Exception. An exception to the general exception applies such that no structure shall be less than four feet from a side or rear property line.

(Ord. 20-03 § 6; Ord. 21-07 § 4; Ord. 22-02 § 8; Ord. 22-06 § 4; Ord. 23-05 § 4; Ord. 24-01, 4/16/2024; Ord. 25-10, 12/2/2025)

§ 17.07.050 Additional Development Regulations for RP, RM, and RH Districts.

A. Transitional Standards. Within 20 feet of an RS District boundary, the maximum building height is 25 feet. From this point, the building height may be increased one foot for each additional foot of upper-story building setback to the maximum building height.

FIGURE 17.07.050(A): TRANSITIONAL STANDARDS-RP, RM, AND RH DISTRICTS ADJACENT TO THE RS DISTRICT

B. Open Space. The following private open space standards apply to all multiple-unit dwellings in the RM, RP, and RH districts:

1. Common Open Space. Common Open Space must be provided for all multiple-unit developments as follows:

a. RM and RP District. 150 square feet per unit.

b. RH Districts. 100 square feet per unit.

2. Restricted Open Space. Restricted open space must be provided for all multiple-unit developments as follows:

a. Units with any floor area on the ground story must provide a minimum of 200 square feet.

b. Units without floor area on the ground story must provide a minimum of 60 square feet.

C. Small-Scale Units. The following standards apply to multiple-unit dwellings in the RM and RH districts with 500 square feet or less of floor area.

1. Required Internal Areas.

a. At least one habitable room with at least 150 square feet of floor area, exclusive of closet space. In no case may a habitable room or space contain less than 80 square feet in floor area; and

b. Food preparation areas must have at least 80 square feet of floor area intended, arranged, designed or used for cooking or warming of food.

2. Cooking Facilities. The food preparation area must include a sink with hot and cold water, a counter with dedicated electrical outlets, and a permanently installed stove and range.

3. Dwelling Unit Density Calculation. For density calculations, each small-scale unit is considered to have a “dwelling unit equivalent” of 0.75, meaning a project with 20 small-scale units is considered only to have a “dwelling unit equivalent” of 15 units.

D. Reduced Development Acreage. The developable area on APN 077-130-006, zoned RH, is limited to 6.33 acres, in order to facilitate 190 residential units.

(Ord. 20-03 § 6; Ord. 21-07 § 4; Ord. 23-14 § 4)

§ 17.07.060 Additional Development Regulations for the RMHP District.

A. Transitional Standards. Where an RMHP District adjoins an interior lot line in an RS or RP District, the minimum building setback from an RS or RP District boundary is 10 feet for interior side setbacks and 20 feet for rear setbacks.

B. Open Space. A minimum of 100 square feet of private open space must be provided per unit. Each unit must be provided a minimum of 60 square feet of restricted open space. The balance of the required open space may be provided as restricted or common open space.

C. Individual Mobile Home Setbacks. The following setback standards apply to mobile homes or manufactured homes within the RMHP District:

1. From any permanent structure: 10 feet.

2. From any other mobile home:

a. Ten feet when measured from the sides of each mobile home.

b. Eight feet when measured from the side of one mobile home to the rear or front of another mobile home.

c. Six feet when measured from the rear of each mobile home, from the front of each mobile home, or from the front of one mobile home to the rear of another mobile home.

(Ord. 20-03 § 6)