Press Releases

After 35 years of dedicated service, City Administrator Rebecca Bjork announced today that she will be retiring at the end of the year.  Ms. Bjork served in numerous roles at the City, including Assistant City Administrator, Public…

Construction is underway to renovate the Plaza del Mar Band Shell, a designated City Landmark initially built in 1919. The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department marked the occasion on Wednesday, August 16, with a…

Santa Barbara Public Library invites local artists to participate in an exhibition in the Faulkner Gallery during October 2023 as part of an Exhibition in coordination with Pride & Joy Santa Barbara, a pop up event creating a…

The City launched its Short-Term Rental Enforcement Pilot Program, today, August 1, 2023. The 12-month pilot program was funded by the City Council on April 25, 2023, with the goal to increase enforcement of illegal short-term rentals and…

The Santa Barbara Police Department extends a warm invitation to the entire community as we prepare to celebrate the much-anticipated community celebration, Fiesta, honoring the rich cultural heritage and cherished traditions of Old…

With the Fiesta Historical Parade route on Cabrillo Boulevard, the City has combined efforts with Downtown Santa Barbara to provide free shuttles to help attendees access the parade route from Downtown.

On July 28, 2023, at 11:53 a.m., the Santa Barbara Police Combined Communications Center received several reports of an adult male that had climbed to the mantel portion of the archway, facing the 1100 block of Anacapa Street at the Santa…

Get ready to explore the City like never before, as the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Visit Santa Barbara, Downtown Santa Barbara, and the City team up to introduce the Santa Barbara Visitor Trolley pilot project. The…

Surrounded by the mountains, the beach and the sea; there is no better view of the City than from Stearns Wharf and there is no better time to experience it than at Wharf Wednesdays. As a follow up to last year’s Stearns Wharf 150th…

The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a Tax on "Transient" guests staying in any hotel, inn, motel, or other commercial lodging establishment for a period of less than 30 days.