County of Santa BarbaraPlanning and DevelopmentLong Range Planning Division123 East Anapamu StreetSanta Barbara, CA 93101

Announcing new provisions for the unique mountainous areas of the Eastern Goleta Valley

Protecting the WildlandsEASTERN GOLETA VALLEY COMMUNITY PLAN

http://www.countyofsb.org/plndev/policy/communityplans/goletavalley.sbc

Protecting the WildlandsEASTERN GOLETA VALLEY

IS A PERMIT REQUIRED FOR DEFENSIBLE SPACE?

• Unless the activity is exempt per LUDCSection 35.28.100.C(2), you need to obtain a permit to remove or thin vegetation around homes and other structures to create a firebreak (“defensible space”) and help protect property from wildfire.

• Permits are not required to remove or thinchaparral for defensible space within 100 feet of structures.

• For defensible space between 100 and300 feet from structures, contact County Fire to request a letter stating that defensible space beyond 100 feet is required.

• Formal exemption from County Planningis not required before undertaking exempt activities, but is recommended to provide certainty for landowners and avoid issues if County Planning must investigate a complaint regarding vegetation removal or thinning.

Careless or excessive vegetation removal can damage or eliminate important habitats.

WHEN DO I NEED A PERMIT?

• Consult CountyPlanning staff before removing more than 5,000 square feet of chaparral.

• You may need abotanist or biologist to determine if chaparral is ESH.

• If chaparral isESH, obtain a Land Use Permit before removing more than 5,000 square feet of chaparral (LUDC Section 35.28.100.C).

• All types of ESH areprotected by these provisions. Consult County Planning.

WHAT ARE THE NEW PROVISIONS?

• EGVCP designateschaparral as ESH where it supports rare or vulnerable native vegetation alliances and/or sensitive native plant and/or animal species (EGVCP Policy ECO-EGV-5.4).

• New permitrequirements for removal of ESH.

• Exemptions forlimited vegetation

removal to protect homes and structures from wildfire.

The foothills and mountain slopes aboveEastern Goleta Valley contain special native plant and wildlife habitats. These habitats often occur within the chaparral plant community. The new Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan (EGVCP) and revised Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) include new provisions to protect the most important plant and wildlife habitats, known as “Environmentally Sensitive Habitat” (ESH), which:

• Support rare and sensitive native species• Protect watersheds and water quality• Control erosion• Recharge groundwater• Protect your property M

WHICH LANDS ARE AFFECTED?Rural areas of Eastern Goleta Valley zoned Mountainous Area (MT or MT-GOL)

Rural Neighborhoods: • San Marcos Pass • Twin Ridge• Painted Cave • Holiday Hill• Trout Club

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?

COUNTY FIREDefensible space information:Vegetation Management Section (805) 681-4061 or (805) 686-5068www.sbcfire.com/vegetation-management/

COUNTY PLANNINGEGVCP, LUDC, and permit requirements: Zoning Counter (805) 568-2090http://countyofsb.org/plndev/home.sbc

Photos by Mark Bright