Community Development News

The City of Santa Barbara is excited to announce the launch of our Preapproved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program—a faster, more affordable way for homeowners to build detached ADUs on their property. 

This year, we celebrate nationwide the 57th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. The Act made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful, including the rental, refinance, and sale of housing. The Fair Housing…

Upgrading your water heater? Switch to a heat pump water heater for a healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient home! These electric alternatives reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality, and lower energy costs.The City’s…

In order for the City to receive annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a 5-year Consolidated Plan and an…

Help plan the future of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront!The City of Santa Barbara has begun developing a 30-Year Waterfront Adaptation Plan and is pleased to invite you and your group, business, or organization to participate in the process.

On January 15, 2025, the Community Development Department, in partnership with the Sustainability & Resilience Department and Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE), deployed an expedited OnDemand permitting process and permit fee waiver…

The City of Santa Barbara has released draft updates to the Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) Guidelines for Archaeological Resources and MEA Guidelines for Historic Resources. These documents, published separately,…

The City of Santa Barbara is in the process of developing their 5-Year Consolidated Plan for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).Santa Barbara City residents are invited to make their voices heard…

Starting January 6, 2025, Building Permit Inspection requests will only be accepted online through the City’s Permit Portal.Using an Accela Citizen Access (ACA) account, a requesting party can:Request a new inspection, cancel, or…

End of Year ClosureAs part of the City’s annual Holiday closure, most City Land Development Team offices and operations will close beginning Friday, December 20, 2024, and will resume business on Monday, January 6, 2025.…

Accela Citizens Access (ACA) Permit Portal was temporarily unavailable.The system is operating again, however slow response may be experienced for a short duration.

End of Year ClosureAs part of the City’s annual Holiday closure, most City Land Development Team offices and operations will close beginning Friday, December 20, 2024, and will resume business on Monday, January 6, 2025.…

The City of Santa Barbara began accepting applications for CDBG Capital Improvement, Affordable Housing Rehabilitation and Economic Development projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 on November 12th, 2024.  Applications will be…

The City of Santa Barbara will begin accepting applications for CDBG Capital Improvement, Affordable Housing Rehabilitation and Economic Development projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 starting November 12th, 2024.  Applications…

To better align in-person service hours across the City organization, walk-in counter hours for the Land Development Permit Center at 630 Garden Street are being extended on Wednesdays until 5:00 p.m. (instead of 12:00 noon). This will be…

The City of Santa Barbara has recently updated the web address, or URL, for the City’s permit portal: Accela Citizens Access (ACA). We are working on redirects to the new web address, but those may not take effect for up to 24 hours.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the City of Santa Barbara will hold a needs assessment Public Hearing in preparation for development of its 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan (AAP) and its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan (CONPLAN). During the hearing,…

The City of Santa Barbara is seeking public comment on the 2023-2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER evaluates the City’s performance on the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan (AAP), which listed…

The City is pleased to announce—DigEplan—our new electronic plan review software designed to enhance the plan submittal experience is now live. During upload, the software will check for plan sheet page numbering, password protection, and…

Coming September 9th!  The City is pleased to introduce—DigEplan—a new electronic plan review software designed to enhance the plan submittal experience. During upload, the software will check for plan sheet page…