Board directs final language for utility‑scale solar: 15‑acre on‑farm exemption, countywide cap and battery setback options

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 1 instructed planning staff to return with final ordinance text implementing a tiered permitting approach for utility‑scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Planning staff described a multi‑tier framework that would: (1) allow tier‑1 ground‑mounted solar for on‑site agricultural operations up to 15 acres under an exempt pathway; (2) impose a countywide acreage cap for larger commercial tier‑2 and tier‑3 facilities (the planning commission had recommended 16,000 acres, which the board directed staff to use as a baseline); and (3) create a streamlined tier‑1 pathway for standalone battery systems up to 0.25 acre while evaluating setbacks, containment and financial assurance.

"Your direction was to explore expansion of tier 1 projects up to 15 acres in size that support on‑site agricultural operations," planning staff told the board during their presentation. Staff also ran through acreage‑distribution options and told supervisors that an environmental program EIR revision concluded the changes do not bring new significant environmental effects requiring recirculation.

Public testimony included more than a dozen speakers representing environmental groups, labor unions and energy providers. Supporters said expanded solar and paired storage improves local resilience, creates construction‑period jobs and helps the county meet climate goals. Labor and the Clean Coalition presented economic analyses and job estimates for community energy projects.

Board concerns and direction: Supervisors questioned fire‑safety and waterproofing considerations for BESS, the role of the county fire marshal in plan review, whether tier‑1 exemptions should be subject to discretionary review, visual‑impact controls on steep slopes, and whether some acreage caps should be split geographically. The board settled on directing staff to prepare final ordinance language that includes:

- tier‑1 allowance for agricultural operations up to 15 acres;
- a countywide cap as discussed in the hearing (board majority signaled support for the planning commission number); and
- a clarification that ground‑mounted tier‑1 projects on slopes greater than 20% would require a land‑use permit rather than remain exempt; plus options to retain narrower setbacks or require permits if applicants seek reduced battery setbacks from sensitive receptors.

Fire marshal and safety input: County fire officials explained that BESS projects must meet California fire‑code standards, hazard analyses and project‑specific emergency response plans. On thermal‑detection technology they noted systems now incorporate internal and external monitoring; the fire marshal recommended continued interagency training for first responders.

What happens next: Staff will revise ordinance text to reflect the board’s direction, incorporate measurement rules for setbacks and prepare the CEQA findings and final program EIR certification. Final adoption was left to a subsequent hearing after staff completes the requested edits and provides the board with language clarifying where exemptions apply and how reduced setbacks would be handled.

Why it matters: The changes seek to expand on‑farm solar while restricting where larger commercial projects and standalone batteries may go and how they are reviewed — balancing agricultural resilience and visual protection, community safety and energy goals.