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.
Affordable Housing at West Carrillo Street
The city was poised to lend nearly $2 million to People's Self-Help Housing to buy land for permanent affordable apartments, locked in with a 55-year affordability covenant.
city council candidate forum and Measure C sales tax
Santa Maria council candidates debated Measure C, a half-cent sales tax that would pay for roads, parks, and the library—but could mean layoffs if voters reject it Nov. 3. Supporters say it funds basics; skeptics argue the city has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
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.
The Mission LLC litigation against the City
The Mission LLC has sued the City of Santa Barbara in Superior Court (Case No. 25CV03180) and has a related federal case against the State of California. The Council met privately to discuss legal strategy and possible action.
Faro Center and homeless drop-in services
Staff pieced together up to $350,000 for the Faro Center from several funding buckets; councilmembers pressed whether a true downtown drop-in center need remains unmet, with a full homeless-services update due July 28.
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.
Workforce Housing Project
Santa Barbara County is trying to fix its employee housing crunch with a $47 million plan. They're turning an old probation building into up to 104 apartments, hoping to have them ready by 2029.
Transportation Safety Improvements
Big changes are coming to Santa Barbara's Eastside to make things safer! Think improved bike lanes, safer streets around schools, and even a new bridge over the 101. Your input is needed before the City Council votes on it.
housing development near Old Mission
Developers wanted to build a massive housing project near the historic Old Mission, but a judge just shut down their lawsuit. Don't pack your bags yet though, neighbors are still raising concerns about traffic and fire safety, so this battle is far from over.
ICE enforcement on county property
Santa Barbara County is drawing a line in the sand, voting to keep ICE out of public spaces like county buildings and parks. They're also exploring ways to stop detention centers from popping up, aiming to shield residents from federal immigration enforcement.
Real property transfer tax measure dropped
The City won't ask voters this November to raise the transfer tax on $3M+ property sales. Weak polling, a statewide legal challenge, and no campaign champion killed it — meaning the City still lacks a dedicated way to rebuild reserves.
Fire station replacement and parks capital funding gap
Fire Station 7 and other fire facilities have dropped off Measure C priorities, and there's no identified funding to replace functionally obsolete stations or implement the parks master plan. Options include more Measure C debt or a voter-approved parcel tax.
Rent Control Ordinance
Tired of unpredictable rent hikes? Santa Barbara's City Council is considering a rent control ordinance that could put a lid on how much landlords can increase your rent. This could mean more stable housing costs for many residents.
Immigration Policy
Santa Barbara's City Council is hashing out a new immigration resolution, and it's sparking some serious debate. Get ready for strong opinions and potential shifts in local policy.
Cannabis Cultivation Regulations
Tired of the constant smell of weed? Santa Barbara County is finally putting its foot down on cannabis growers who aren't using odor-reducing equipment. Get ready for some changes as the county threatens to pull business licenses if they don't comply.
Charter amendment to remove 50-year lease cap
The city charter limits leases of city-owned property to 50 years, which staff say blocks viable long-term ground leases for housing on city parking lots and sites like the former police building. A ballot measure could fix it — June costs about $195,000, November about $50,000. Council will decide next week.
State Street revitalization
Experts told the council that downtown retail struggles trace back to housing shortages, slow permitting, safety concerns, and vacant storefronts. Ideas floated included a 'concierge' permitting desk, fee waivers, police substations on State Street, and converting upper-floor offices to housing. This feeds directly into the State Street Master Plan and Paseo Nuevo redevelopment decisions ahead.
Ellis Act eviction requirements
A companion ordinance adds requirements for landlords permanently removing units from the rental market, including a five-year restriction before units can return and a rule that all units come off the market simultaneously. Critics say it shrinks the rental supply.
Housing Development
Get ready, Santa Barbara! Almost 5,000 new homes are in the pipeline, and they're moving through approvals at lightning speed. This massive influx could totally reshape our city and the housing market.
Building Codes
Santa Barbara is ditching natural gas in new construction! The city council just voted to ban gas hookups in all new homes and buildings. This is a big step towards cleaner air and a greener future for the city.