The road in tells you everything. Eight-tenths of a mile of private dirt road off Colson Canyon Road climbs through oak and chaparral into the Tepusquet/Colson Canyon corridor, one of Santa Barbara County's last truly rural landscapes. At 1,600 ft elevation, the canyon opens up and the house comes into view -- slump stone and concrete tile, settled into the hillside, with sweeping views across the canyon to Colson Vineyard. This 40-acre agricultural parcel is anchored by a 3,400 sq ft home in excellent condition: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, with a permitted finished lower level that includes a fortified storage room. A wrap-around wooden deck spans three sides of the upper level, ideal for taking in the views at any hour. Mini-split A/C provides efficient climate control throughout. What truly sets this property apart is its genuine self-sufficiency. A permitted solar electric system with on-grid backup and a permitted solar water heating system keep utility costs minimal. A private well -- exclusive to this parcel and shared with no neighboring property -- feeds 15,000 gallons of storage across three tanks. The septic system was completely replaced in 2018. Starlink internet, paired with hardwired ethernet to the upper floor, ensures full connectivity even in this remote setting. Two permitted metal outbuildings add exceptional value rarely found on rural acreage. A fully equipped blacksmith shop, complete with a professional power hammer and full complement of equipment, enjoys its own view of Colson Vineyard -- a turnkey workspace for the serious craftsman. A second metal barn currently houses a tractor, which is included in the sale, along with most of the home's furnishings and the shop equipment. Established vegetable gardens, decades of careful stewardship, and an extensive seller-prepared operations manual -- covering the septic, well, solar, and generator systems with photographs and step-by-step procedures -- all convey with the property. The sellers are happy to walk the new owners through everything in person. Properties of this caliber, with this level of documented infrastructure and privacy, rarely come to market in this canyon.
Single-familyProperty Type
1979Year Built
40 acresLot Size
$312Price/Sq.Ft.
Listed by Jody Neal•DRE #01995725• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Listed by Jasper Rhodes•DRE #02220808• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Est. $4,044 per month, based on comparable rentals
Sale and tax history for 2988 Tepusquet Rd
Sale History
Tax History
Date
Event
Price
NSBCRMLS #26001296
Sep 30, 2026
Sold
$950,000
$312/sq ft
Aug 31, 2026
Pending
—
Jun 29, 2026
Listed
$975,000
$320/sq ft
+70
The road in tells you everything. Eight-tenths of a mile of private dirt road off Colson Canyon Road climbs through oak and chaparral into the Tepusquet/Colson Canyon corridor, one of Santa Barbara County's last truly rural landscapes. At 1,600 ft elevation, the canyon opens up and the house comes into view -- slump stone and concrete tile, settled into the hillside, with sweeping views across the canyon to Colson Vineyard. This 40-acre agricultural parcel is anchored by a 3,400 sq ft home in excellent condition: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, with a permitted finished lower level that includes a fortified storage room. A wrap-around wooden deck spans three sides of the upper level, ideal for taking in the views at any hour. Mini-split A/C provides efficient climate control throughout. What truly sets this property apart is its genuine self-sufficiency. A permitted solar electric system with on-grid backup and a permitted solar water heating system keep utility costs minimal. A private well -- exclusive to this parcel and shared with no neighboring property -- feeds 15,000 gallons of storage across three tanks. The septic system was completely replaced in 2018. Starlink internet, paired with hardwired ethernet to the upper floor, ensures full connectivity even in this remote setting. Two permitted metal outbuildings add exceptional value rarely found on rural acreage. A fully equipped blacksmith shop, complete with a professional power hammer and full complement of equipment, enjoys its own view of Colson Vineyard -- a turnkey workspace for the serious craftsman. A second metal barn currently houses a tractor, which is included in the sale, along with most of the home's furnishings and the shop equipment. Established vegetable gardens, decades of careful stewardship, and an extensive seller-prepared operations manual -- covering the septic, well, solar, and generator systems with photographs and step-by-step procedures -- all convey with the property. The sellers are happy to walk the new owners through everything in person. Properties of this caliber, with this level of documented infrastructure and privacy, rarely come to market in this canyon
SBMLS #26-2154
Sep 30, 2026
Sold
$950,000
$312/sq ft
Aug 29, 2026
Pending
—
Jun 29, 2026
Listed
$975,000
$320/sq ft
Public Records
Dec 19, 1996
Sold
$280,000
$92/sq ft
NSBCRMLS #956338
Dec 19, 1996
Sold
$284,000
$93/sq ft
Mar 25, 1996
Listed
$287,500
$94/sq ft
Mountain Top Mansion On Appx 40 Ac. Gorgeous Views.Country Kitchen,Walk-in Pantry,Wrap Around Proch,Fireplace W/Insert. 20 Mins.From Santa Maria. $1000 Bonus To Sag
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$5,730 (+1.8%)
$215,952 + $339,799
$555,751
2024
$5,628 (+1.7%)
$211,718 + $333,137
$544,855
2023
$5,535 (+1.5%)
$207,567 + $326,605
$534,172
2022
$5,454 (+2.6%)
$203,498 + $320,201
$523,699
2021
$5,314 (+0.2%)
$199,508 + $313,923
$513,431
2020
$5,305 (+1.2%)
$195,597 + $307,768
$503,365
2019
$5,244 (+1.3%)
$193,592 + $304,613
$498,205
2018
$5,177 (+1.5%)
$189,797 + $298,641
$488,438
2017
$5,098
$182,428 + $287,046
$469,474
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Beds
3
Baths
3
Stories
—
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
40 Acres
Year renovated
1979
Sq. Ft.
3,048
Year built
1979
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Santa Barbara County
APN
131210011
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Oct 14, 2026.
AG-I-40
Agricultural I Zone
The AG-I zone is applied to areas appropriate for agricultural use within Urban, Inner Rural, and Existing Developed Rural Neighborhood areas, as designated on the Comprehensive Plan maps. The intent is to provide standards that will support agriculture as a viable land use and encourage maximum agricultural productivity.
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Greenhouse / nursery
Agriculture-Other
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Other
Property details
Interior
Bathroom Information
# of Bathrooms (Full): 2
# of Bathrooms (Half): 1
Room Information
Basement
Interior Features
Laundry Features: In Unit
Fireplace Features: Living Room
Appliances: Trash Compactor, Refrigerator, Electric Range, Built-In Electric Oven, Dishwasher, Disposal, Washer
Fireplace: Yes
Exterior
Exterior Features
Roof: Tile
Property Information
Other Structures: Other, Ranch Equipment
Property Condition: Excellent
Levels: Two
Lot Information
Zoning: A-2
Utilities
Heating & Cooling
Cooling Available: Yes
Cooling: Other
Heating Available: Yes
Heating: Other
Utilities Information
Water Source: Private
Location
School Information
Elementary School: Other
Middle Or Junior School: Other
High School: Other
Location Information
Cross Street: Colson Canyon
Directions: Tepusquet to Colson Canyon
Public facts
Beds: 3
Baths: 3.0
Sq. Ft.: 3,048
Stories: —
Lot Size: 40 acres
Style: Single Family Residential
Year Built: 1979
Year Renovated: 1979
County: Santa Barbara County
APN: 131210011
Home facts updated by county records on Oct 14, 2026
Around this home
Schools
Benjamin Foxen Elementary School
Public K-8 • Assigned • 6.5mi
4/10
Ernest Righetti High School
Public 9-12 • Assigned • 12.1mi
6/10
Provided by GreatSchools
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
5/10 Fire Factor
3% chance of being in a wildfire in next 30 years
2/10 Heat Factor
6 days above 93° expected this year, 14 days in 30 years
1/10 Wind Factor
Minimal risk of severe winds over next 30 years
5/10 Air Factor
6 unhealthy days expected this year, 8 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Santa Maria, CA • 93454
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
65
42
65
46
69
48
66
46
70
49
74
52
78
55
81
56
77
58
76
53
66
46
66
45
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
83/ 100
Very good sunlight
Sunscore
There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
9.3 hrs
6 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Estimated sale price
$920,000 – $1.11M
Sell confidently with a local market expert in Santa Maria.