City Council - September 22, 2026

The City Council meeting of Santa Barbara on September 22, 2026, focused extensively on preparations for the upcoming winter storm season and a detailed discussion on the proposed Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). The council received updates from the National Weather Service and city officials on storm preparedness, including infrastructure maintenance, emergency services coordination, and public communication strategies. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comments and council deliberations on the RSO, addressing exemptions for deed-restricted affordable housing and Section 8 tenancies, the structure and membership of the rent stabilization board, the rental registry program, fee studies, and enforcement mechanisms. The council debated motions related to ordinance amendments, including removing certain exemptions and adding tenant protections, with votes taken to approve the ordinance framework and specific exemptions. Budget appropriations of $500,000 from the flexible housing fund were requested to support program implementation and staffing. The council planned to reintroduce the ordinance for a formal vote in the following week, with ongoing discussions about fee studies and program details to ensure effective implementation and cost recovery.