Montecito Commission Recommends Continuing Design Review for Homes and Pools
The Montecito Planning Commission has recommended that all new and remodeled homes, as well as pools, in Montecito should continue to be subject to design review by the Board of Architectural Review. This proposal comes as part of proposed changes…
Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo, CA, October 20, 2026 —
The Montecito Planning Commission has recommended keeping design review by the Board of Architectural Review in place for all new and remodeled homes and pools in Montecito. The recommendation comes amid proposed changes intended to streamline the county’s project review process.
The commission’s position is that architectural oversight should continue as part of that process to preserve the area’s character. Its recommendation covers both residential construction and pools, including projects involving remodeled homes.
The proposal is not yet a final county decision. The recommendations are next scheduled for review by the County Planning Commission, and will ultimately go before the Board of Supervisors. The summary provided does not specify when those reviews will take place or what action either body may take.
Details about the proposed changes to the county review process were not provided, nor was information given about how the recommendations were adopted by the Montecito commission. The available information also does not describe the design-review criteria or indicate whether the recommendation would alter existing procedures.
For now, the commission’s recommendation is to retain Board of Architectural Review oversight for the listed types of projects while the broader effort to streamline county project review moves through further consideration. The County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will have the next opportunities to review the recommendations.
Story summarized from the original created by Evelyn Spence, South County Editor on www.noozhawk.com, see more information here.
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