Santa Barbara · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Barbara public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
New citywide rules for short-term rentals and homeshares were up for final adoption, affecting both inland and coastal zones. The rules could reshape how residents rent out their homes and how many units stay in the long-term housing market.
Just Cause Eviction Protections
A new ordinance would require landlords to have a legally recognized reason to evict residential tenants, a major shift in renter protections.
city acquisition of La Casa de la Raza community center
The city is negotiating to buy a property tied to the La Casa de la Raza bankruptcy estate. Price and terms were discussed privately; any deal would need Bankruptcy Court approval before closing.
Rent stabilization and short-term rental ordinance costs
Speakers repeatedly demanded the budget clearly fund the rent stabilization program; estimates range from $500,000 to the consultant's $2 million. Staff plans to fund it from Measure I/flex funds and recoup costs through future registration fees, with details July 28.
Employment Agreement Amendments for City Administrator and City Attorney
The City Council met privately to talk about possible changes to the top two staff contracts — the City Administrator and City Attorney. These are the people running day-to-day city operations and legal affairs, so the terms matter for how the city is managed.