# Joint Architectural Board of Review & Historic Landmarks Commission Special Meeting

The City of Santa Barbara’s Joint Architectural Board of Review and Historic Landmarks Commission special meeting on October 3, 2026, consisted of staff training on reviewing housing development projects under California housing laws. Staff outlined changes that limit discretionary review, require objective design standards in some approval pathways, impose strict review timelines and a five-hearing maximum after an application is deemed complete, and restrict denial of qualifying projects. They also discussed the city’s housing goals and the legal and financial risks of noncompliance. No contracts, purchases, budget allocations, or other procurement actions were identified.

Board and commission members asked about health-and-safety findings, project feasibility, design-review responsibilities, and whether concept review could be mandatory. Staff said concept review cannot be required, though it is encouraged, and advised members to focus on actionable conditions that do not render projects financially infeasible. No votes or formal motions were reported; the meeting concluded after discussion.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 03, 2026

### Sources
- [Joint Architectural Board of Review & Historic Landmarks Commission Special Meeting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An_Zo33NGB8) - City of Santa Barbara - City TV