Written
by David Downs • Photos by Edee olson
For years, South Coast homeowners have faced tight restrictions and steep
fees before they could build a separate room, kitchen and bathroom —
a so-called second unit — on their property.
Such red tape was supposed to get thinner this winter, thanks to a new
state law that mandates fast tracking the process. However, the second
unit situation remains much the same or worse everywhere on the South
Coast, except in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County.
Housing advocates say Goleta, Carpinteria, Montecito and Santa Barbara
are only paying lip service to the law that stemmed from Assembly Bill
1866, while the cities argue that they are trying to protect general plans
from distant and careless Sacramento legislators.
This week, Santa Barbara County became the last government to review its
second-unit building requirements. It looks as if the county will be the
only one to follow the spirit and intent of the legislation.
Effective July 1, AB1866 was intended to boost housing and speed up the
required permitting for second units by cutting down on public review.
County Planner Alicia Harrison said the county intends to do just that,
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