South Board of Architectural Review
http://sbcountyplanning.org/boards/rbar/sbar.cfm
Contact:
Anita Hodosy-McFaul
Board Assistant Specialist, Planning and Development
Mailing Address:
Engineering Building
123 E. Anapamu Street
Santa Barbara CA 93101
Phone Number: (805) 884-6833
Email Address: Ahodosy@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
Legal Authority:
The BAR, originally known as the Architectural Review Board, was established by the County Board of Supervisors in April of 1947. In 1979, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 2188 that added the Board of Architectural Review Administrative Regulations to the Santa Barbara County Code (Chapter 2, Article V, §§ 2-33.1 through 2-33.16), thus codifying the BAR’s purpose, jurisdiction, and duties.
On November 22, 2005, the County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance #4584 creating area boards of architectural review for the South County (SBAR), Central County (CBAR) and North County (NBAR), in addition to the Montecito BAR originally created in 2002, in order to improve access of applicants and architects to conveniently located boards of review.
Membership:
The SBAR shall be composed of seven persons, residents of the county, appointed by the first, second and third district supervisors and approved by the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 2-33.4(b). Three of the persons shall be licensed architects. The persons need not live in the district of the appointing supervisor. The remaining four persons shall reside east of Farren Road and north to the ridge of the mountain, including Isla Vista, but outside the Montecito planning area, as designated in the Montecito community plan, and shall be skilled in reading and interpreting architectural drawings and able to judge the effects of a proposed building, structure, or sign upon the desirability, property values, and development of surrounding areas, and shall include, at a minimum, two licensed landscape architects. Four members shall constitute a quorum; two members of the quorum must be either a licensed architect or a licensed landscape architect.
Term:
SBAR members are appointed to four- year terms that coincide with their appointing supervisor’s term. Members serve until the Board of Supervisors appoints their successors. Two members are appointed by the 1st district supervisor, three members by the 2nd district supervisor and two members by the 3rd district supervisor, with all members approved by the Board of Supervisors. SBAR members appointed as of January 2006 may have terms shorter than four years in order to align the SBAR member appointments with those of the appointing Board of Supervisors’ member as follows:
January 2006:
• Appointments for three years for two members by the 1st district;
• Appointments for one year for three members by the 2nd district;
• Appointments for three years for two members by the 3rd district.
January 2007: Appointments for four years for three members by the 2nd district.
January 2009: Appointments for two members by the 3rd district [at this point the terms for the 3rd district are aligned] and appointments two members by the 1st district [at this point the terms of these appointments are aligned].
Vacancies, other than by expiration of terms, shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term by the same method as for the original appointment.
A member of the SBAR may be removed or a term may be changed by a three-fifths vote of the Board of Supervisors.
Duties:
The SBAR is guided by a set of general goals that define the major concerns and objectives of its review process. These goals are to:
• To ensure good quality architecture compatible with community standards.
• To ensure that development and building design is consistent with adopted community design standards;
• To promote high standards in architectural design and the construction of aesthetically pleasing structures so that new development does not detract from existing neighborhood characteristics;
• To encourage the most appropriate and efficient use of land;
• To promote visual interest throughout the county through the preservation of public scenic, ocean and mountain vistas, creation of open space areas, and providing for a variety of architectural styles; and
• To preserve creek areas through restoration and enhancement, and discourage the removal of significant trees and foliage.
SBAR JURISDICTION AND EXCEPTIONS
(1) Zoning clearance, sign certificates of conformance, land use permits, or coastal development permits for any development or use located east of the City of Goleta, including Isla Vista, and outside of the Montecito planning area as designated by the Montecito community plan, requiring BAR approval under Articles I through III of Chapter 35 of this Code shall not be issued by the planning and development department until final BAR approvals have been obtained from the SBAR. The powers and duties shall also include those given to the BAR in Articles I, II and III for projects located outside of the Montecito planning area as designated by the Montecito community plan.
(2) County projects (projects proposed by any entity governed by the Board of Supervisors or by an entity whose governing body is appointed by the Board of Supervisors) located east of the City of Goleta and outside of the Montecito planning area as designated by the Montecito community plan, which exceed fifty thousand dollars in estimated construction costs may be reviewed by the SBAR and a recommendation must be made. The decision-maker for county projects may require BAR approval.
Final approval by the SBAR is required prior to the approval of a development permit for the following:
• All new structures, additions to structures and signs located on property subject to the D-Design Control Overlay District;
• All new structures, additions to structures and signs within the Summerland Planning Area;
• All new structures, additions to structures and signs in Mission Canyon Planning Area;
• All new development along the Hollister Avenue corridor of the Goleta Planning Area, East of the City of Goleta;
• All new structures and additions to structures that are subject to the Ridgeline and Hillside Development Guidelines;
• All projects that require a Modification (absent a Development Plan or Conditional Use Permit);
• All projects that require a Development Plan;
• Any structure where BAR review is required as specifically provided under the applicable zoning district regulations;
• Any projects where BAR review is specified by action of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, or the Zoning Administrator;
• Signs covered by the Article I Sign Regulations or as specified by action of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, or the Zoning Administrator;
• All new structures, additions to structures and signs on lots adjacent to the ocean;
• All new walls of any height when the design is integral to new structures, remodels or additions to structures requiring architectural review; and,
• Any development proposed by the County of Santa Barbara where construction costs exceed $50,000.00.
The following developments are exempt from BAR review:
• Interior alterations
• Decks
• Swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas
• Fences or walls six feet or less in height and gateposts of eight feet or less in height, that are not considered integral to the design of a structure (e.g., perimeter fences)
• Solar panels located on roofs or on the ground, except those proposed in association with structures requiring BAR review
• Any other change to an existing structure determined to be minor by the Director of Planning & Development.
Meeting Date and Location:
SBAR normally meets on the first and third Friday of each month. Meetings are typically held in Room 17 of the Santa Barbara County Engineering Building located at 123 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.