Walk-in tubs in Santa Barbara County

On June 29, 1925, an earthquake badly damaged downtown Santa Barbara. In the rebuilding that followed, the city embraced the Spanish Colonial Revival style that now defines its look, and it still requires that style in parts of the city. White stucco, red tile roofs and colorful tile became a regional signature that spread to homes across the South Coast. Many of those homes are now owned by people who have lived in them for decades, and their bathrooms are often the original, or close to it.

Where we help in Santa Barbara County

• South Coast: Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, Goleta, Carpinteria, Summerland
• Santa Ynez Valley: Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos
• North County: Santa Maria, Orcutt, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Vandenberg Village

Neighboring San Luis Obispo and Ventura county households are welcome to call as well.

Spanish-style and older homes

A bathroom in a 1920s or 1930s Spanish-style home often has decorative tile, a small window over the tub, plaster walls and an older cast-iron tub. A walk-in tub can work well in these rooms, but there are a few things to plan for:

• Window height. Walk-in tubs are taller than standard tubs. Measure from the floor to the bottom of any window over the tub.
• Tile. Original tile around the tub usually cannot be saved when the old tub comes out. Decide whether you want a surround, new tile that suits the house, or a mix.
• Plaster and lath walls. Older walls behave differently from drywall when opened. The installer should plan for patching.
• Floors. Many older homes have settled over time. A walk-in tub must be set level for the door to seal.
• Plumbing. Expect older drains and supply lines. A raised foundation, common in older homes, makes access easier.
• Fixture rule. If the project needs a permit and the bathroom has an older high-flow toilet or showerhead, California's water-conserving fixture law may require replacing them before final approval.

Design review and permits

The City of Santa Barbara reviews exterior changes in many areas, particularly in historic districts. Interior bathroom work typically does not need design review, but anything that changes the outside of the house, such as a new window or exhaust vent, may. Building permits are a separate matter and depend on the scope of work. Goleta, Carpinteria, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Solvang and Buellton each have their own building departments, and unincorporated areas such as Montecito and Orcutt are handled by Santa Barbara County. Ask your installer to confirm what applies.

Newer homes and senior living

Goleta, Santa Maria and Orcutt have large neighborhoods of single-story and two-story homes from the 1960s onward, often with standard alcove tubs. Condos and townhomes on the South Coast typically require association approval before plumbing or electrical work. Many older residents also live in mobilehome parks across the county, where floor strength and the state Department of Housing and Community Development's permit role should be checked.

Coastal climate

The South Coast is mild, with marine fog in late spring and early summer. Bathrooms in older homes may lack good ventilation. Run an exhaust fan during and after baths to protect the door seal area and walls from mildew. Inland in the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria, mornings can be cold, and a heated seat makes drain time more comfortable.

Earthquake readiness

Santa Barbara's history is a reminder that earthquakes are part of life on the Central Coast. If the project replaces a water heater, California law requires the new one to be strapped or braced. It is also a good time to check that the existing heater is properly secured.

Local aging resources

The Area Agency on Aging that served Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties for many years, the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, has stepped away from that role, and the California Department of Aging has sought a new agency for the region. Services may be offered through different providers during the transition. To find who serves your address today, call the statewide line at 1-800-510-2020 or use CDA's Find Services in My County page. Local senior centers and the county's 211 information line are also good places to ask about fall prevention classes and caregiver support.

Veterans

Contact the VA health care system that serves you about the HISA benefit before buying. VA lists walk-in and roll-in showers as eligible examples and excludes spa, hot tub and Jacuzzi-type tubs, so a specific walk-in tub needs approval. Our funding guide explains the steps.