One of the older housing stocks on the coast
About 60 percent of the county's roughly 161,000 homes were built before 1980, by the American Community Survey's estimate, and the median build year is 1974.
So a large share of homes predate 1978, the year EPA uses as the line for higher lead-paint risk. Popcorn ceilings, floor tile and pipe wrap in older houses can also contain asbestos, so testing ahead of a remodel is common.
Mild coast
NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for the Santa Barbara airport show about 17 inches of rain a year, with February the wettest month. Average July highs stay near 73°F, and January highs near 64°F.
A bathroom or closet that never fully dries is a common place for mold questions to start. Homes on a private well can ask about well water testing.
The county air district
The whole county falls under the Santa Barbara County APCD. A survey and a district notice may be needed before demolition or certain renovations, under federal asbestos rules.
Services
Nearby
Questions
Do you cover Santa Maria and Lompoc as well as Santa Barbara?
Yes. Requests from anywhere in the county are welcome, and we look for a partner who covers your ZIP.
Can I test a ranch well?
Request water quality testing and mention the well. Your partner will tell you what they sample for and how long their lab takes.