Construction & Land Development News

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 is creating objective design standards for multi-unit and mixed-use housing projects to comply with state law, set clear design expectations, streamline design review approval, and make the permitting process more predictable. On…

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.

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…

On August 8, 2024, the Planning Commission voted to continue the hearing on the Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS) to August 29, 2024. The Planning Commission’s motion also included several amendments to the ODDS.…

On Thursday August 8, 2024, the Planning Commission will receive staff’s presentation and consider a recommendation to City Council on adoption of a proposed ordinance – Title 25 Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS). The…

The Final Draft Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS) are now available for review. On Thursday August 8, 2024, the Planning Commission will receive staff’s presentation and consider a recommendation to City Council on adoption…

Coming Soon! The City is pleased to announce a move to new electronic plan review software—DigEplan—for all application submittals to enhance staff productivity and reduce manual processes. This new user-friendly software…

Residents of the City of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County are encouraged to attend an Open House on July 9, 2024. Here, experts and local officials will discuss local flood risk and updates to the Flood Insurance…

On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the City will host workshops presented by John Caprarelli, P.E., CASp, on accessibility requirements and regulations for businesses. Discussion topics will include:

The City of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce it is now accepting submissions for designer-owned plans for preapproved Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Preapproved plans are ADU designs submitted by designers, architects, builders, and…

Building Permit Inspection requests can now be scheduled online through the City’s Permit Portal! Traditionally, inspection requests have been submitted via phone and email messages, an administratively intensive process for building…

On Monday, March 18, 2024, City Staff will provide an update on the Create State Master Plan process, which will include review of the Plan's topic areas, timeline, guiding principles, and districts. Staff will also discuss the State…

Starting March 5, 2024, Building Permit Inspection requests can now be scheduled online through the City’s Permit Portal! Traditionally, inspection requests have been submitted via phone and email messages, an administratively intensive…

The Santa Barbara Design Standards Work Group will be meeting on Friday February 9, 2024 to provide input on the June 2023 Public Draft Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS). Topics to be discussed include a status update…

In December 2023, the City Council amended the Average Unit-size Density Incentive Program (AUD Program) to make it into the City’s permanent multi-unit housing program by eliminating the Program’s expiration date (Ordinance 6129). The…

On December 12, 2023, City Council adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element with two edits. The Final adopted 2023-2031 Housing is posted for a seven-day review prior to submittal to the State Department of Housing and Community Development…