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Proclamations and Mayoral Certificates

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Proclamations and mayoral certificates are issued by the Mayor to recognize milestone events, celebrate special occasions, and honor notable individuals.

Both documents are printed on the Mayor’s formal ceremonial stationery, measuring 8.5” x 14”. Although they look similar, Proclamations and Certificates are issued for different reasons: 

How to Submit a Request for a Proclamation or Mayoral Certificate

Proclamations

Proclamations are issued when the Mayor proclaims a particular day, week, or month in honor of a prominent occasion or event. Proclamations are most often issued to coincide with nationally recognized dates and events. Proclamations are rarely used to recognize individuals or specific businesses, nonprofit organizations, groups, clubs, etc.

Proclamation Examples: 

  • Arbor Day in April
  • National Public Works Week in May, and
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. 

Certificates of Recognition

Certificates of Recognition are issued when a local constituent, business, school, nonprofit organization, educational facility, etc., requests recognition of a milestone occasion. 

Certificate of Recognition examples: 

  • a business’s or nonprofit’s 75th anniversary
  • a local resident’s 100th birthday
  • recognition of an accomplished local talent at an event where they’re featured
  • retirement of a prominent local with extensive community involvement; or
  • kudos for an award recipient with local ties (ie. “Person of the Year” recipient) 

Guidelines

Before requesting a Proclamation or Certificate, please consider the following guidelines:
  • Anniversaries for local businesses, organizations, nonprofits, and service anniversaries for individuals, staff, and board members are considered for 25-year milestones and greater, typically in 5-year increments (eg. 25 yrs, 40 yrs, 75 yrs, etc ).
  • Birthday recognitions are considered for the 90th, 95th, and 100th birthdays of local residents, or any birthday over 100 years if the recipient has not been previously recognized.
  • Proclamation requests should be consistent with nationally recognized dates. The City does not recognize alternate local dates for events already recognized nationally or internationally.
  • Local connection is required. All requests should have direct ties to the local community.
  • No advertising or for-profit promotion: Proclamations and Certificates are not to be used as advertising or to promote a business or for-profit event. Any such requests will be denied.
  • Minimum 30-Day Advance Notice required.
  • Limit of one mayoral document per year by/for each agency, business, nonprofit, local entity, and/or individual. This limit applies both to those requesting certificates and recipients.
  • Requests are not guaranteed and not all requests are approved. Proclamations and Certificates are a privilege bestowed by the Mayor, not a right. The Mayor has complete discretion to grant or deny any requests without an obligation or expectation to justify the decision. 

Click the appropriate link below to access the form for your requested document:

Submit Proclamation Request

Submit Certificate of Recognition Request

Once the form is submitted, staff will use the contact information provided to connect with the Requestor to finalize details of any approved documents.  

Questions? Feel free to contact the Mayor’s Assistant, Holly Perea at HPerea@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. For assistance with Spanish translation, please contact the City Administrator's office at (805) 564-5305

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