The questions we hear most often — about our process, timelines, costs, and what to expect from permitting in Santa Barbara.
We walk your property with you, hear your vision, and assess what is possible given zoning, setbacks, overlays, and site conditions. Typically 45 minutes to an hour on site. There is no charge and no obligation.
We quote each project after the site visit, based on scope. Feasibility studies are typically flat-fee. Design and permit expediting are usually milestone-based. We do not charge hourly for pre-construction management — you know what the permit path costs before we start.
Yes, often. We coordinate with your team or bring in our own, depending on what the project needs. When architectural design is already underway, we step in for entitlements, permit expediting, and agency coordination.
We operate as a pre-construction consultancy. Architectural stamping is handled by our in-house licensed architect. Engineering work is coordinated through licensed structural, civil, and Title 24 consultants.
It depends heavily on project type and jurisdiction. Simple ADUs can permit in 2-4 months. Single-family home design review with coastal overlay can take 9-18 months. We will give you a realistic timeline after the site visit — not a best-case fantasy.
Santa Barbara layers discretionary review on top of ministerial review. Coastal overlays, design review boards, historic districts, and hillside ordinances all add steps. Each board meets on its own schedule, often monthly. Add plan check cycles at Building & Safety and the total timeline grows.
We cannot move city council meetings or board hearings — no one can. What we can do is ensure your plans are right the first time, that nothing stalls in plan check, and that every agency touchpoint is managed. That alone saves months on most projects.
If your purchase is contingent on being able to build something specific, yes. A feasibility study during your due diligence period can save you from buying a property that will not support your project. Small investment, big protection.
Often, yes. State ADU law applies in the coastal zone, though coastal development permit requirements layer on top. The specifics depend on whether your site is in the appealable jurisdiction, whether existing structures are non-conforming, and other factors. We assess each site individually.
SB 9 is a state law enabling urban lot splits and duplex-on-single-family-lot development in many situations. Your lot must meet specific criteria — not every single-family lot qualifies. Some jurisdictions have added local implementation rules. We can check your specific lot.
This is common. Options range from legalization (permitting it after the fact), to removal, to documenting legal non-conforming status. Which path makes sense depends on when the work was done, what it is, and your current goals. We have resolved many of these — it is usually fixable.
Selectively. We take on Ventura County and San Luis Obispo County work where our approach adds real value and our relationships help move things forward. Reach out and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit.
Schedule a site visit — we will answer them in person, on your property, for free.