Housing & Development · Santa Barbara County
Proposed amendments to Santa Barbara County's development review process would exempt some smaller Montecito projects from MBAR review, public notice, and appeals, including new or remodeled single-story homes up to 2,500 square feet in inland areas. The changes, directed by the county Board of Supervisors as part of a countywide effort to simplify permitting, would shift final approval for some projects from the Montecito Planning Commission to county staff. Montecito residents voiced concerns at a packed community meeting that the amendments could alter the area's semi-rural character and eliminate neighbor notification rights. The Montecito Planning Commission is set to vote on the amendments Monday at 1 p.m., after which they would proceed to the County Planning Commission and then the Board of Supervisors for final approval by year-end.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Elections Office reminds eligible residents that the last day to register to vote for the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election is Oct. 19. Voters can register online through the California Secretary of State's website or at two county offices: the Santa Maria Branch (511 Lakeside Pkwy., Ste 134) and the Santa Barbara Main Office (4440-A Calle Real), both open Monday–Friday with Saturday, Oct. 31 extended hours. Paper registration cards are available at elections offices, most post offices, and public libraries, and can be returned postage-free. To be eligible, individuals must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old on Election Day.
Community News · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Health Department is urging residents to get vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) ahead of the fall respiratory season. Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg emphasized that vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, particularly for vulnerable groups including infants, parents, grandparents, and neighbors. Recommendations follow guidelines from the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, ACOG, and AAFP. Residents are directed to speak with their primary care provider or pharmacist, or use the CVEEP vaccine-finder tool, for available options.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
The California Highway Patrol Coastal Division is urging coastal communities to prepare for heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and hazardous roadway conditions expected with a strong El Niño pattern this winter season. CHP Coastal Division Chief Mike Alvarez said the agency will monitor highway conditions and collaborate with Caltrans and allied local agencies to respond to weather-related incidents. The division issued specific wet-weather driving recommendations including reducing speed, increasing following distance, inspecting tires and wipers, turning on headlights when wipers are in continuous use, avoiding sudden maneuvers, and never driving through flooded roadways.
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Public Safety · Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County's six-month Sidewalk Vending Pilot Program, running April through October 2026 in unincorporated areas including the Santa Maria area and Santa Ynez Valley, resulted in the removal of 1,156 pounds of contaminated food, impoundment of 13 sets of cooking equipment, and issuance of 13 Notices of Violation. The county partnered with the California Highway Patrol to address roadside vending hazards along State Routes 154 and 246, where CHP issued 66 warnings and citations in June and July. A bilingual public awareness campaign, including the PSA "Before You Take a Bite, Take a Look," reached over 72,000 social media views. The pilot is complete, but Environmental Health Services will continue responding to community complaints about unpermitted vendors as part of regular operations.
Community News · Santa Barbara County
Unity Shoppe has launched its "Give Food. Give Hope. Give $1 Million" campaign to raise $1 million by year-end to support food-insecure families across Santa Barbara County, where an estimated 59,340 residents (13.4%) face food insecurity. Planned fundraisers include a Voices for Unity benefit concert featuring Kenny Loggins, Brad Paisley, and Michael McDonald on Nov. 24 at the Granada Theatre, and the 40th-anniversary telethon on Dec. 11 from 5–8 p.m. on NewsChannel 3 and Channel 12. The nonprofit currently serves more than 61,000 county residents and distributes over 1 million pounds of food annually. Organizers cite rising grocery costs (up 2.2% year-over-year through August 2026) and CalFresh policy changes reducing benefits for some recipients as drivers of increased need.
Community News · Santa Barbara County
The Strategic Alliance to Fight Exploitation Santa Barbara County (SAFE SBC) held its 3rd Annual Freedom to Flourish Gala on October 10, 2026, at La Cumbre Country Club, raising nearly $300,000 for anti-human-trafficking efforts countywide. The nonprofit announced grants supporting CSEC prevention education in North County schools, a full-time caseworker position at Noah's Anchorage (Channel Islands YMCA), Women's Care Days with Micah Mission in Lompoc, and flexible survivor assistance through Channel Islands YMCA and Good Samaritan Shelter. SAFE SBC also added two new board members—Megan Rheinschild of the Victim-Witness Assistance Program and Patrick Clouse, former Chief Investigator for the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office—and outlined future priorities including a countywide training platform and a 24/7 emergency response protocol for trafficking survivors.
Education · Santa Barbara County
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara (SFSB) is accepting applications for financial aid during the 2027-28 academic year, with art and honors scholarship applications due Nov. 15 and general/employer-sponsored scholarships due Jan. 31. In May, SFSB awarded more than $8.4 million to 2,288 Santa Barbara County students, with undergraduate awards averaging $3,708 and graduate awards averaging $3,580. Eligible students may receive up to five years of undergraduate funding or four years of medical/graduate-level funding based on financial need, academic achievement, and motivation. The foundation also supports vocational training and offers free financial aid advisory services.
