Utility-Scale Solar Amendments Project
3 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024110254
Lead Agency
Santa Barbara County
Document Title
Utility-Scale Solar Amendments Project
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
9/4/2026
Document Description
The project proposes to remove the 600-acre utility-scale solar overlay restriction in Cuyama Valley and allow such utility-scale solar projects with Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) on various zoned lands throughout the unincorporated county. It also introduces a new "community-scale" solar category for smaller facilities and provides a permitting framework and standards for solar projects, including small-scale solar development. The project aims to streamline solar permitting processes and update multiple county plans and regulations to meet state requirements including the County of Santa Barbara Comprehensive Plan; Coastal Land Use Plan; County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC); Montecito LUDC; Article II Coastal Zoning Ordinance; and Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserves and Farmland Security Zones (Uniform Rules).
Contact Information
Name
Whitney Wilkinson
Agency Name
County of Santa Barbara
Job Title
Supervising Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County
State Highways
101, 1, 154, 192, 246
Other Location Info
Unincorporated rural areas
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
County of Santa Barbara
Approving Agency Role
Lead Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Final Environmental Document Available at
https://www.countyofsb.org/pl-utility-scale-solar-amendments-project
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
Yes
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
Yes
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
Yes
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
Attachments
Notice of Determination
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