Central Board of Architectural Review
http://sbcountyplanning.org/boards/rbar/cbar.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 Central County (CBAR), North County (NBAR), and South County (SBAR), 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. The effectiveness of the new boards will be evaluated by the Board of Supervisors in 2008.
Membership:
The CBAR consists of five members with the following makeup:
Three members are required to be either licensed architects or licensed landscape architects. These members must reside in the county but need not live within the district of the appointing supervisor or within the boundaries of the CBAR.
The two remaining members must reside within the boundaries of the CBAR and must 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 the surrounding area.” One of these members may be the 3rd district Planning Commissioner.
The CBAR may also have up to two alternates. The alternates may be licensed architects or landscape architects or community members skilled at reading plans.
Term:
CBAR 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. The members are appointed by the 3rd district supervisor. CBAR members appointed as of January 2006 will have terms shorter than four years in order to align the member appointments with those of the appointing 3rd district supervisor. Those terms will be three years, with four-year appointments to be made in 2009 at which time the CBAR member and district supervisor terms will be 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 CBAR may be removed or a term may be changed by a three-fifths vote of the Board of Supervisors.
Duties:
The CBAR 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.
CBAR JURISDICTION AND EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Zoning clearance, sign certificates of conformance, land use permits, or coastal development permits for any development or use located south of the City of Lompoc and west of the City of Goleta 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 CBAR. 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 south of the City of Lompoc and west of the City of Goleta that exceed fifty thousand dollars in estimated construction costs may be reviewed by the CBAR and a recommendation must be made. The decision-maker for county projects may require CBAR approval.
Final approval by the CBAR 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 development, including additions and remodels to existing structures, and signs within the Bell Street corridor of the Los Alamos Planning Area;
• 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:
CBAR normally meets on the second Friday of each month. Meetings are typically held in the Solvang Municipal Courtroom, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang.