Northern Santa Barbara Area, California

Survey Area CA672• California

The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

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

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Vertisols

High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.

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.