Housing & Development · Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara City Council decided on Tuesday that proposed amendments to the city's just cause eviction ordinance are not ready for approval and directed staff to continue working with housing providers. The amendments would require owners moving into a unit to stay 36 months, limit owner move-ins to one unit per property, prohibit school-year evictions affecting children, and set displacement payments of $150 per day for lodging and $30 per day for meals. Several councilmembers said the ordinance felt one-sided and called for more conversations with landlords, while tenant advocates argued the rules protect basic decency. A referendum petition is underway to overturn the city's recently passed rent stabilization ordinance. City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said the amendments will not return to the council until after the new year due to heavy staff workload.
Local Politics · Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $167 million jail expansion project, framing it as necessary compliance with an Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit filed years ago. The article notes that the number of beds needed for the expansion remains under debate among county leaders. The piece, written by community advocate Gina Rodarte Quiroz, argues that investment in psychiatric treatment programs and affordable housing should take priority over additional jail infrastructure.
Public Safety · Santa Barbara, CA
UC Santa Barbara will close its campus to overnight visitor parking effective Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, with checkpoints beginning at 5 p.m. each evening for safety and security. Only vehicles with valid Reserved, A, B, C, H, or Annual Night & Weekend ePermits may park overnight; short-term permits expire at midnight. A strict No Guest Policy applies to residential and community parking lots from 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, until 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Unauthorized vehicles parked overnight are subject to a $300 citation and impoundment at the owner's expense.
Community News · Santa Barbara, CA
The City of Santa Barbara is soliciting proposals for its Fiscal Years 2028 and 2029 Human Services Grant Funding and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs, with approximately $852,000 available to support local nonprofits serving low- and moderate-income city residents. A mandatory application workshop will be held 3–5 p.m. Nov. 5 via webinar for staff directly involved in preparing grant submissions. Online applications open Nov. 6, with a strict deadline of 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10; incomplete applications will not be accepted.
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Local Politics · Santa Barbara, CA
Noozhawk and CalMatters hosted a voter information session in Santa Barbara on Sunday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Approximately 25 attendees discussed Proposition 40, a proposed one-time wealth tax on California billionaires, with CalMatters CEO Neil Chase explaining its mechanics and opposition arguments. The event also covered local ballot measures, including competitive races for Santa Barbara mayor and four City Council seats.
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
Guatemalan-born artist Jackie Amézquita's multi-panel memorial "Gemidos de la Tierra" (Wailings of the Land/Soil), honoring immigrants who died in ICE custody since 2003, is on view at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UC Santa Barbara through Nov. 29. A public activation begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, on the UCSB campus, during which Amézquita will add 57 names—expanding the work to 15 panels and 298 individuals represented from 10…
Community brief · Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Unified School District will hold its annual High School Showcase from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Earl Warren Showgrounds. The event features academies, career technical education pathways, and visual and performing arts programs from Dos Pueblos, San Marcos, Santa Barbara, and Alta Vista/La Cuesta high schools. Eighth-graders in the district will attend during the school day with customized passports to guide their…
