Northern Santa Barbara Area, California
The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Northern Santa Barbara Area, California.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedimentary rock land | 38K | Excessively drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Lopez gravelly clay loam, 15 to 75 percent slopes | 35K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 30K | Somewhat excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Arnold sand, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 29K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Corducci and Typic Xerofluvents, 0 to 5 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, MLRA 14 | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chamise shaly loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Santa Lucia gravelly clay loam, 45 to 75 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shedd silty clay loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes, severely eroded | 22K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kettleman fine sandy loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dune Land | 13K | Excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Lopez rocky loam, 75 to 100 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shedd silty clay loam, 45 to 75 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Andreas-Tierra complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chamise shaly loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pleasanton sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Los Osos-San Benito complex, 30 to 45 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marina sand, 9 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oceano sand, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Metz loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota sandy loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 83% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.