All SBPL locations will be closed on Monday, September 1 for Labor Day.

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We are working on economic and public safety response time analysis. Our next City Council meeting on the State Street Master Plan is anticipated in September 2025. 

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The City of Santa Barbara is vulnerable to many climate change impacts, including sea level rise, changes in rainfall patterns, increased groundwater levels, extreme heat, drought, and exacerbated wildfire danger. In response to these hazards, the City is analyzing risks and working to improve climate resilience.  

Sea Level Rise, Coastal Erosion, and Flooding

Harbor Way Flooding

The City is actively planning for increased flooding and shoreline erosion due to the combined impacts of sea level rise, increased river flooding from changes in rainfall patterns, and increased groundwater levels. The 2021 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan presents a phased approach to planning for sea-level rise based on monitoring of changing conditions and actions to reduce vulnerabilities once certain thresholds are reached.

Since 2021, the City has launched several major climate adaptation projects including a Regional Coastal Adaptation Monitoring Program, a Wastewater and Water Systems Adaptation Project, 30-Year Waterfront Adaptation Project, and Airport Adaptation Plan.

Wildfire

Wild Land Fire

In 2021 the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department comprehensively updated the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which identifies high fire hazard areas in the city, presents policies and management actions to reduce wildland fire hazards and impacts, and provides a framework for coordinating community-wide protection efforts. This plan is an important step in resilience as climate-driven drought conditions exacerbate wildfire danger. 

     Other Wildfire Resources:

Drought

Low Water Levels at Lake Cachuma Due to Severe California Drought

As part of Water Vision Santa Barbara, the City adopted in 2021 the Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan that details the City’s water supply and management strategy for the next 30 years and includes an Adaptive Management Plan for flexible and responsive management of the City's water resources moving forward in an uncertain future where we are likely to see prolonged droughts due to climate changes. 

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

Hazard Mitigation Plan

The City regularly updates its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan  which identifies hazards, including those related to climate change, and identifies measures to improve disaster preparedness and reduce or eliminate risks to the community, life, and property. The identified mitigation measures are then eligible for funding through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The City of Santa Barbara plan is an annex to the County of Santa Barbara Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan .

Climate Resilience Resources

Current and Upcoming Projects

Hero Image 30yr Waterfront Adaptation Plan
The purpose of this project is to create a practical plan that prepares the Santa Barbara Waterfront for increased storm surges, erosion, and flooding by providing solutions that preserve and enhance recreation, commerce, beach access,…
John T. Rickard Terminal viewed from Goleta Slough
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is preparing a Climate Adaptation Plan that builds on the City of Santa Barbara Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan prepared in 2021 and the Goleta Slough Area Sea Level Rise and Management Plan completed in 2015.…
Andrée Clark Bird Refuge
Construction of the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge Restoration Project was completed in early 2023. The project included replacement of the weir gate at Cabrillo Boulevard with an improved design, construction of an upstream treatment wetland at…
Native plants and trees surround the Arroyo Burro Estuary.
Located at the end of the Arroyo Burro County Beach Park parking area and within the Douglas Family Preserve, the Arroyo Burro Estuary and Mesa Creek Restoration Project was designed to restore coastal estuarine, riparian and coastal sage…
ABOS
In February 2016, the Creeks Division collaborated with the Trust for Public Land to acquire the former Veronica Meadows development site. Acquisition of this 14.7-acre parcel along Arroyo Burro created a new open space park and…
Western Sycamore Tree located in the creek bed
The Creeks Division's Arroyo Burro Restoration Project at Hidden Valley Park was completed in late 2018. The 2.8-acre project site was previously in a degraded state, with hundreds of feet of pipe and wire revetment in the creek and on the…
Grassy field and trees at the Palermo Open Space
In December 2019, the Creeks Division purchased two properties along Arroyo Burro at the end of Palermo Road, currently referred to as the…
BCycle_Along_Beachway.jpg
BCycle electric bikes are charged with 100% carbon-free electricity from SB Clean Energy, making this bike rideshare program one of the greenest ways to get around town!BCycle offers a…
Storm water chambers installed beneath the turf at Bohnett Park
Completed in 2022, the Bohnett Park Storm Water…
Cater Water Treatment Plant Battery Energy Storage System
The battery array has capacity to hold enough energy to power 300 SB homes, giving this critical facility energy resilience and assurance.
Stock image of close up of a person's gloved hands holding an assortment of microplastic pieces, with a beach cleanup taking place in the background.
The City of Santa Barbara's Creeks Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Division (Creeks Division), in partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) Sea Grant Program, are conducting microplastic research thanks to a $1…
Flyer for the Santa Barbara Community Yard Sale, featuring bold yellow and blue text on a beige background. The event is scheduled for Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Logos for the City of Santa Barbara Sustainability & Resilience program are included, along with a website link
Join us for the Clean Community Division’s first-ever Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event is designed to help reduce waste and give new life to gently used items.
Mission Creek flowing through Oak Park
Development buffers along creeks are required by the City’s General Plan, by the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan, and for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Buffers between structures and creeks are important to…
Electric Bikes of Santa Barbara storefront
Electric bikes can be charged with 100% carbon-free electricity from Santa Barbara Clean Energy – making this one of the best ways to get around town!Electric Bikes of Santa Barbara offers $200 off any ebike to all Santa Barbara…
Dealer sells electric SUV to businessman in car dealership. They discuss vehicle features. Business environment and modern electric vehicle concept.
This page contains vetted resources to help decarbonize your lifestyle and save money while doing it. Whether you want to invest in an electric vehicle or make energy-conscious improvements to your home, this page is your resource for…
Overhead view of the Granada Garage Solar Project.
The Granda Garage Solar Project generates, stores, and supplies electricity to critical municipal facilities.
Man washing his face in bathroom sink with a reflection in the mirror, and the Santa Barbara Clean Energy logo
SBCE's Home Electrification Accelerator Program (HEAP) can help make home electrification easier and more affordable with rebates, fast and free permitting, and resources and information.
Call center workers, assisting customers over the phone
Thinking about electrifying your home but not sure where to start? We're here to help!Switching to electric can feel overwhelming, but Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) is making it easier. Through our free Home…
Honda Valley Creek at Honda Valley Park
The Creeks Division completed a restoration of Arroyo Honda at Honda Valley Park in 2021. The project included removal of approximately 1,000 square feet of asphalt from the creek bed, removal of over 650 linear feet of chain link fence,…

Completed Projects

BCycle_Along_Beachway.jpg
BCycle electric bikes are charged with 100% carbon-free electricity from SB Clean Energy, making this bike rideshare program one of the greenest ways to get around town!BCycle offers a…
Cater Water Treatment Plant Battery Energy Storage System
The battery array has capacity to hold enough energy to power 300 SB homes, giving this critical facility energy resilience and assurance.
Electric Bikes of Santa Barbara storefront
Electric bikes can be charged with 100% carbon-free electricity from Santa Barbara Clean Energy – making this one of the best ways to get around town!Electric Bikes of Santa Barbara offers $200 off any ebike to all Santa Barbara…
Dealer sells electric SUV to businessman in car dealership. They discuss vehicle features. Business environment and modern electric vehicle concept.
This page contains vetted resources to help decarbonize your lifestyle and save money while doing it. Whether you want to invest in an electric vehicle or make energy-conscious improvements to your home, this page is your resource for…
Overhead view of the Granada Garage Solar Project.
The Granda Garage Solar Project generates, stores, and supplies electricity to critical municipal facilities.
Tesla and Dirt Road electric vehicle chargers at the Ortega Garage in Santa Barbara.
This project installed Level 2 EV fast chargers at the Ortega Parking Garage, bringing EV charging to residents, downtown works, and visitors.
Close up of electric vehicle charger and people walking into a home in the background with Santa Barbara Clean Energy logo
Santa Barbara Clean Energy's Residential EV Program is designed to make switching to electric transportation easier and