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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Adaptation & Resilience Program

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

Entrance sign at Parking Lot 12 in Downtown Santa Barbara with businesses in the background
Lot 12 Remediation Project
In May 2025 the Clean Community Division completed a remediation project at Parking Lot 12 in downtown Santa Barbara. Prior to becoming a City parking lot, the site's historic uses left lasting underground pollutants. The project…
Mission Creek Fish Passage
Mission Creek Fish Passage Projects
The endangered Southern California steelhead trout is native to Santa Barbara’s coastal streams, including Mission Creek. Steelhead are born in freshwater streams/rivers, where they typically spend their first year, then migrate to the…
Mission Creek at Oak Park
Mission Creek Restoration at Oak Park
In 2022, the Creeks Division began initial design work on the Mission Creek Restoration at Oak Park. The project included transforming an 1,800 foot reach of Mission Creek that flows through the City's…
Rock crossing of Old Mission Creek at Bohnett Park
Old Mission Creek Restoration at Bohnett Park
In 2003, the Creeks Division completed a restoration project along Old Mission Creek at Bohnett Park. The project included the construction of stairs and two creek crossings to improve access to the park. Creek banks were reconstructed to…
Tesla and Dirt Road electric vehicle chargers at the Ortega Garage in Santa Barbara.
Ortega Garage EV Chargers
This project installed Level 2 EV fast chargers at the Ortega Parking Garage, bringing EV charging to residents, downtown works, and visitors.
Permeable Pavers
Permeable Pavers
The Creeks Division has installed permeable pavers in City-owned parking lots, sidewalks, streets, alleys, and parks in several locations, in order to allow storm water and urban runoff to infiltrate into the ground.
RCAMP Survey Photo
Regional Coastal Adaptation Monitoring Program
The City has partnered with Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment…
Close up of electric vehicle charger and people walking into a home in the background with Santa Barbara Clean Energy logo
Residential EV Program
Santa Barbara Clean Energy's Residential EV Program is designed to make switching to electric transportation easier and
Harbor Way Flooding
Sea Level Rise Adaptation & Vulnerability Assessment
In 2021 the City adopted it’s first Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan that identifies areas of the
Environmental Canine Services staff and dogs Sable and Logan investigate storm drains
Sewage Sniffing Dogs
In 2010 the Creeks Division received grant funding from the Water Environment Research Foundation for the Canine and Microbial Source Tracking Project. The Canine and Microbial Source Tracking Project built on efforts to identify and…
Heavy equipment in street installing Haley Street CDS (continuous deflection system) unit
Storm Drain Diversions
Constructed in 2006, the purpose of these two storm drain diversions was to improve summer water quality in creeks and beaches in the City of Santa Barbara. The projects diverted dry weather flow (urban runoff) at the Hope…
Storm drain screen on a City street
Storm Drain Screens
In 2011, the Creeks Division  installed storm drain screens in nearly all of the storm drain openings in the City (approximately 1400 inlets).  The retractable screens keep trash from entering the storm drains, which lead to the…
rain garden
Sustainable Storm Water Rebate
The Creeks Division's Sustainable Storm Water Rebate Program provides incentives to residents and businesses to help offset the cost of installing storm water capture devices. Rebates are offered for rain barrels, rain gardens,…
Barger Canyon Preserve along upper Arroyo Burro
Upper Arroyo Burro Restoration at Barger Canyon
In late 2013, the Creeks Division purchased a 14.19-acre parcel on Foothill Road along Upper Arroyo Burro in Barger Canyon. The parcel was an environmentally sensitive and degraded site with approximately 1,800 linear feet of creek…
Upper Las Positas Creek.JPG
Upper Las Positas Creek Restoration at the Santa Barbara Golf Club
The Upper Las Positas Creek Restoration Project, completed in 2010, included the restoration of approximately eight acres of wetland habitat and an engineered storm water management system at the Santa Barbara Golf Club and Adams…
Wastewater and Water Systems Climate Adaptation Plan Cover Hero Image
Wastewater and Water Systems Climate Adaptation Plan
This plan will evaluate vulnerabilities of the City’s wastewater and water infrastructure from sea level rise, changes in rainfall patterns, and rising groundwater levels. It will identify alternatives for relocating, flood-proofing, and/…