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The Summerland Plan Area (Plan Area) is located in the southern portion of Santa Barbara County between the cities of Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. The Plan Area boundary includes the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara known as Summerland. The Plan Area is bordered by Ortega Ridge Road on the west, the Montecito Planning Area on the north, Padaro Lane and the Toro Canyon Planning Area on the east, and the Pacific Ocean on the south. The Plan Area totals 907 acres and is situated within the Coastal Zone with the exception of a residential enclave along Ortega Ridge Road which is located in the inland area. Summerland was originally established in 1888 as a spiritualist community. In 1898, Summerland was the first place in the world to have an offshore oil well. Remnants of Summerland's past may still be seen in its beaches and inland areas.

The Summerland Community Plan was the first community plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 1992. In 2007, the Board of Supervisors formed the Summerland Planning Advisory Committee (SunPAC) to assist staff with updating the 1992 Summerland Community Plan. The Summerland Community Plan Update includes focused text and policy amendments to the 1992 Summerland Community Plan; primarily focusing on Visuals and Aesthetics policies and a revised Transportation, Circulation, and Parking section. The Summerland Community Plan Updates also includes new residential and commercial design guidelines, and zoning ordinance amendments (both Inland Area and Coastal Zone) to implement proposed policy changes. In May of 2014 the Board of Supervisors adopted the plan update, and the California Coastal Commission certified the coastal portion of the plan on June 9, 2016.

Planning Documents

Summerland Community Plan (PDF)

Summerland Residential Guidelines (PDF) 

Summerland Commercial Design Guidelines (PDF)

Summerland Planning Area Maps and Imagery (Folder)

Summerland Community Plan Text Amendments (Folder)