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OnDemand Permit Walk Through

View our video for help with navigating the City's permit process in Accela.

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Home Electrification Permitting

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What You Need to Know

The City of Santa Barbara’s Community Development Department, in partnership with Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE), has streamlined the permitting process for one- and two-unit residential heat pump water heater (HPWH) and heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HP HVAC) system replacements. 

OnDemand Permits are now available for most properties and projects in the City of Santa Barbara.   

Applicants will receive instant approval and no upfront fees for replacing gas or electric resistance technologies with high-efficiency, all-electric heat pump technologies. 

Permit streamlining improves customer service, reduces processing time, saves applicants money, and supports the City’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035 by facilitating home electrification projects.

Sections

Heat Pump Water Heater Permitting

OnDemand Permits are available at no cost for one- and two-unit residential heat pump water heater (HPWH) replacement projects throughout the City of Santa Barbara. 

  • Please Note: To be eligible for a free OnDemand Permit, HPWHs must be installed in the same location as the existing gas or electric resistance water heater.

Heat Pump HVAC Permitting

The former Express Permit for one- and two-unit residential heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HP HVAC) system replacements has now transitioned to a free OnDemand Permit for properties located within the Inland Zone. 

  • Please Note: Properties located within the Coastal Zone or designated as a Historic Resource are not eligible for the OnDemand Permit and must continue to use the Express Permit option by selecting the "mechanical application" when applying. 
  • SBCE will provide reimbursement of up to $820 to SBCE customers who apply for an Express Mechanical Permit Incentive along with their HP HVAC incentive.

Use our helpful GIS Tool below to determine which permit to apply for.

Heat Pump HVAC GIS Lookup Tool

To determine if a property is eligible for a HP HVAC On Demand Permit, type in your address or click a parcel within the map. The result of the search will include which permit should be applied for based on property location.

For All Permits

Residents and contractors apply for all permits online through the City’s online permitting portal, Accela. An Accela Citizen Access (ACA) account is required.

Before applying, applicants are encouraged to review all permit requirements, confirm project eligibility, and consult the Building & Safety Counter to answer any questions regarding documentation.

Building & Safety Permit Counter
630 Garden Street
(805) 564-5485
CDBuildingCode@SantaBarbaraCA.gov