Archive for January 2026

January 22, 2026 The Chamber has released its Q4 2025 Data Dashboard, offering comprehensive insights across key regional indicators, including residential and commercial real estate, building permits, workforce trends, sales tax, tourism, taxable cannabis sales, homelessness, and poverty throughout Santa Barbara County and the South Coast. Source materials and additional details are available in the…

On December 16 the Santa Barbara City Council reviewed a work plan for the development of a Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Program, and provided feedback to guide further research and ordinance development. Following the December 16 meeting, the Council met on January 13 and voted 4-3 to pass a temporary rent increase moratorium (also known…

The City of Santa Barbara’s Ordinance Committee met for a second time (Tuesday, January 13) to discuss the proposed massage ordinance. Among other provisions aimed at combatting human trafficking in the community, the current proposal aims to update local massage rules to align with the state’s stricter massage regulations. However, some of these arbitrary requirements will create significant burdens on massage…