City of Santa Barbara General Plan
California State Government Code §65300, requires that every city adopt a General Plan, sometimes referred to as a City’s blueprint for growth and development. Santa Barbara’s General Plan originally adopted in 1964 is comprised of eight elements, seven of which are mandated by state law.

In December 2011, the City Council adopted the Plan Santa Barbara General Plan update.  This process resulted in a new General Plan Introductory Framework, comprehensively updated Land Use and Housing Elements, and a new set of goals and policies for the remaining elements.  The 2011 General Plan update reorganizes the elements, consistent with the Introductory Framework for Sustainability (and state law), and compiles the six previous volumes into one document.   This document will continue to be updated element by element, the next being the Historic Resources element expected to be adopted in 2012.  

·   Cover, Acknowledgements and Table of Contents

·   Introduction

·   Land Use Element*

o   General Plan Map

·   Housing Element*

·   Open Space*, Parks and Recreation Element

·   Economy and Fiscal Health Element

·   Historic Resources Element

·   Environmental Resources Element (includes Noise* and Conservation*)

·   Circulation Element* (includes Scenic Highways)

·   Safety* and Public Services Element

·   Definitions

·   References

Appendices

Appendix A: City Council Resolution
Appendix B: Neighborhood Descriptions
Appendix C: History of The City
Appendix D: Demographics
Appendix E: 2004 Housing Element Evaluation Table
Appendix F: Zoning Information and Fees
Appendix G: 2011 Housing Element Five-Year Work Program
Appendix H: Available Land Inventory Table and Map
Appendix I: Laws, Regulations and Guidelines

*mandated by State Law.

Local Coastal Program

City of Santa Barbara Local Coastal Plan
City of Santa Barbara Coastal Plan: Airport and Goleta Slough

Certified Final Program Environmental Impact Report

The following includes the Certified Final Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the Final EIR Addendum for the Plan Santa Barbara General Plan Update.

Certified Final Program Environmental Impact Report
            Volume I (39 MB document)
            Volume II (54 MB document)
            Volume III (37 MB document)
            Council Resolution

Addendum to Certified FEIR
            Addendum
            Exhibit A
            Exhibit B
            Exhibit C
            Exhibit D

Current General Plan Projects

Over the next few years the City will be carrying out many of the goals and policies of the 2011 General Plan Update through various implementation programs.  To see current Long Range programs, ordinances, or other element updates being developed as part of the General Plan Update click on City of Santa Barbara - Major Planning Efforts in Santa Barbara. 

For more information on the General Plan or the implementation efforts contact John Ledbetter in the City Planning Division by email (jledbetter@santabarbaraca.gov) or telephone (805) 564-5470, ext. 4469.