Santa Barbara County, California, South Coastal Part
The most common soil here is Maymen, on about 15% of the land: a gravelly sandy clay loam, gritty but holds together. Lodo and Gaviota come next.
About 78% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 68% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Santa Barbara County, California, South Coastal Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Santa Barbara County, California, South Coastal Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maymen-Rock outcrop complex , 50 to 75 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Maymen complex, 75 to 100 percent slopes | 26K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Lodo-Sespe complex , 50 to 75 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota sandy loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Los Osos clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen stony fine sandy loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lopez-Santa Lucia complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milpitas-Positas fine sandy loams, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ayar clay, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Los Osos-Maymen complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lodo-Rock outcrop complex , 50 to 75 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Todos-Lodo complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milpitas-Positas fine sandy loam, 9 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lopez-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Santa Lucia gravelly clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Santa Lucia gravelly clay loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capitan-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lopez-Santa Lucia complex, 9 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Linne clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 2K | Well drained | C | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.