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Appeal Procedure

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Appeals to the City Council must be filed with the City Clerk's Office; all other appeals must be filed with the Planning Division.

City Hall hours are Monday-Thursday, and open Fridays, from 9 AM – 3 PM. Please visit the City Calendar to view the closed Fridays. The Clerk’s Office hours are Monday-Thursday, and open Fridays, from 9 AM – 12PM, and 1 - 3 PM. If you need to file before or after City Hall hours, please make an appointment 24 hours in advance with the Clerk’s Office at (805) 564-5309 or by email at Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

If you wish to file an appeal, please see below for further instructions on how to successfully file an appeal by the deadline:

  • Write an appeal letter addressed to Santa Barbara City Council, containing  the following information:

    • Name of body whose decision is being appealed;

    • Date of meeting which decision was made;

    • Description of decision being appealed;

    • Grounds claimed for the appeal and identifying in particular all significant issued, facts, and affected parties;

    • Appellant’s name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, and signature.

  • Make a check payable to City of Santa Barbara in correct amount of the associated appeal fee.

  • Appeal fees vary depending on the body who made the decision that is being appealed. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov to ensure the correct appeal fee is made.

  • Submittal of Letter and Fee:

    • Appeals must be submitted no later than the 10th calendar day following the date of the meeting from which the appealable action or decision was rendered. The appeal letter and the fee must be submitted at least 30 minutes before the end of the business day (Mon-Thurs by 5:00 pm; open Fridays by 4:30 pm) in order to allow processing time. Appeals will not be accepted if fees are postmarked after the 10th calendar day from which the decision or action was rendered.

      • In person: The appeal letter and fee may be dropped-off by utilizing the Clerk’s Office’s mail-slot at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Entering City Hall from the De La Guerra Plaza side, the Clerk’s Office is located on the main floor, first door to the right.

        Appeals delivered in person must be received no later than the 10th calendar day following the date of the meeting from which the appealable action or decision was rendered, and at least 30 minutes before the end of the business day (Mon-Thurs by 5:00 pm; Open Fridays by 4:30 pm) in order to allow processing time.  Appeals and associated fees received after the 10th calendar day will not be accepted.

      • Via Mail: The appeal letter and fee may be mailed to:

        City Clerk’s Office
        P.O. Box 1990
        Santa Barbara, CA 93102

        If mailed, the appeal letter and fee must be postmarked no later than the 10th calendar day following the date of the meeting from which the appealable action or decision was rendered.  Appeals and associated fees postmarked after the 10th calendar day will not be accepted.

Once Clerk’s staff is in receipt of all of the necessary documents and associated fee, you can expect a confirmation email with a receipt of payment and other pertinent information. Please contact the Clerk’s Office at Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov for any further information.