Plumbers in
Santa Barbara, CA
29 plumbers listed in Santa Barbara
Licensed plumbers in Santa Barbara handle everything from routine repairs and fixture installations to complex repiping and sewer line work. Whether you have an emergency leak or planning a bathroom renovation, Santa Barbara plumbers can help.
Plumbers in Santa Barbara at a glance
- 29 plumbers are listed in Santa Barbara, CA on Ratedeed.
- 24 of the 27 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 7 ZIP codes in and around Santa Barbara: 93101, 93103, 93105, 93108, 93109, 93110, 93111.
Plumbers elsewhere in California: Los Angeles (131), San Diego (104), San Jose (89), San Francisco (78), Riverside (62), Sacramento (60)
Homes and plumbers in Santa Barbara: the local numbers
Housing in Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara has about 39,204 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1965, 11 years older than the California median of 1976.
- 74% of homes were built before 1980 and 42% before 1960; 4% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $1,570,800.
- 40% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 60% are rented.
- 46% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (64% of homes), followed by electricity (29%).
- The median home has 4.4 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $2,413 a month.
- That makes Santa Barbara's housing among the older stock in the country: the typical U.S. home was built in 1980.
- Home values run 114% above the California median of $734,700.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (60%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
Older homes like the 74% of Santa Barbara homes built before 1980 were commonly plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipes and cast-iron drains, which corrode with age, so repiping and drain-line replacement are common jobs in older housing.
With most Santa Barbara homes on natural gas (64%), gas water heaters are common; replacing one involves venting and gas-connection work that is usually permitted and inspected.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (Santa Barbara, CA).
Plumbers workforce in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area
- Median hourly wage
- $29.33
- People employed
- 740
- In the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median of $29.33 an hour ($61,000 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $26.00–$53.32.
- About 740 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 1.22).
- These are what workers earn, not what plumbers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters).
Climate in Santa Barbara and what it means for plumbers
- The average temperature in Santa Barbara is 59°F; summer afternoons average 73°F and winter nights 42°F.
- It gets about 18 inches of precipitation a year.
- There are about 4 nights a year at or below freezing and about 1 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 2,374 heating degree days a year against 187 cooling degree days.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport station USW00023190 (11.2 km from the city centre).
Top Plumbers in Santa Barbara
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
Showing 27 of 29. See every listing in Santa Barbara
More plumbers elsewhere in California
Listed in other California cities, not in Santa Barbara.
Licensing and consumer protection in California
Check that any plumber you hire is licensed and insured before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Verify a licence on the official register →Insurance and workers' compensation
$1 million general liability minimum. Workers' compensation is mandatory for any contractor with employees. Bond of $25,000 required for licensure (increased under SB 607).
Mechanic's lien protection
California has one of the strictest lien regimes in the country. Preliminary 20-day notices must be sent within 20 days of starting work. Mechanics liens must be filed within 90 days after project completion (or 60 days after a notice of completion is recorded). Unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can place liens on your property even if you've paid your general contractor in full. Always collect lien waivers from all parties before making final payment.
What catches homeowners out in California
California's CSLB license verification is critical — always check a contractor's license number at cslb.ca.gov and confirm it is active and in good standing. California law requires a $25,000 contractor surety bond on every licensed contractor as a consumer protection backstop. For projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined under Business & Professions Code § 7048), a valid CSLB license is legally required. Unlicensed contractors face criminal misdemeanor charges, and homeowners who hire them forfeit key statutory protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do plumbers earn in the Santa Barbara area?
In the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median of $29.33 an hour ($61,000 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $26.00–$53.32. About 740 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 1.22). These are what workers earn, not what plumbers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How old are homes in Santa Barbara?
The typical home in Santa Barbara was built in 1965, and 74% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $1,570,800. Older homes like the 74% of Santa Barbara homes built before 1980 were commonly plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipes and cast-iron drains, which corrode with age, so repiping and drain-line replacement are common jobs in older housing. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
How much does a plumber charge per hour in Santa Barbara?
Plumbing services in Santa Barbara typically cost $75–$150 per hour. Emergency calls usually carry a premium. Always request a written estimate before work begins.
Do plumbers in Santa Barbara offer emergency services?
Yes, many plumbers serving Santa Barbara offer 24/7 emergency services for issues like burst pipes, severe leaks, and sewer backups. Emergency response times in Santa Barbara typically range from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the provider and time of day. Expect to pay a premium for after-hours, weekend, and holiday emergency calls.
How do I find a licensed plumber near Santa Barbara?
To find a licensed plumber in Santa Barbara, check that they hold a valid CA plumbing license and carry adequate insurance. On Ratedeed, you can browse plumbers serving Santa Barbara, view credentials, and compare free quotes to find the right fit.
What's the average cost to fix a leaking pipe in Santa Barbara?
Fixing a leaking pipe in Santa Barbara typically costs $150–$450 for accessible pipes, while hidden leaks behind walls or slabs can cost $600–$2,500+ depending on detection and restoration requirements.
Do plumbers in CA need to be licensed?
Yes, in California, plumbers must hold a valid state-issued license to perform most plumbing work. This includes installing, repairing, and replacing pipes, fixtures, and water heaters. Always verify a plumber's license before hiring them in Santa Barbara. Where a contractor has provided license details, they appear on their profile; always confirm with the state board before hiring.
How quickly can a plumber respond to an emergency in Santa Barbara?
Most licensed plumbers in Santa Barbara offer emergency response within 30 minutes to 2 hours for urgent issues like burst pipes, gas leaks, or sewer backups. Contact your local water utility for major water main issues. Keep a list of emergency plumbers on hand to minimize damage from unexpected plumbing failures.
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