Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Assessment

Link to Downtown Business Improvement Districts (BID)

The PBIA is the assessment mechanism that allows the City of Santa Barbara (City) to provide affordable parking rates to customers, visitors and clients of the Downtown area. The Downtown Parking budget is funded primarily by hourly parking revenues, and to a lesser extent, by PBIA assessments and permit sales. The PBIA revenues are directed solely towards hourly employee salaries and utility costs. These funds partially finance the operation and maintenance of the parking lots.

If your business is located within the PBIA 53-square block area of lower State St., it is subject to a quarterly assessment. The amount to be paid is based on the type of business and parking related criteria. You will receive a separate invoice quarterly for this assessment.

PBIA Quarters

• 1st Quarter:  Jan, Feb, March, Due April 15th *Delinquent on May 1st
• 2nd Quarter: April, May, June, Due July 15th *Delinquent on Aug 1st
• 3rd Quarter: July, Aug, Sept,  Due Oct 15th  *Delinquent on Nov 1st 
• 4th Quarter: Oct, Nov, Dec, Due Jan 15th *Delinquent on Feb 1st

*If paid on or after delinquent date, a 10% penalty will be applied for each month past due, up to a maximum 50% of the amount.

For questions, please contact:
Business License Office
(805) 564-5346
BCraig@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Downtown Business Improvement Districts (BID)

The Downtown and Old Town BID assessments are collected by the City and remitted to the Downtown Organization to provide marketing and promotional services to businesses. The Downtown Organization is dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of the economic and cultural vitality of downtown Santa Barbara for the benefit of its members, City residents, and visitors. Pursuant to Santa Barbara Municipal Code, Chapters 4.39 and 5.04, all businesses in the Districts are subject to this annual assessment.

Detailed information on assessment revenue, expenditures, and services provided to businesses is available in the Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Assessment Report. 
Questions about the assessments may be directed to (805) 962-2098 ext. 22

Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)

• Boundaries: The area bounded by Anacapa, Chapala, Micheltorena and Ortega Streets, and include businesses fronting on each street within or bounding the area, except businesses located north of the center line of Ortega Street.
• Assessment: Collected on an annual basis by the City of Santa Barbara and forwarded to the Downtown Organization.

For questions, please contact:
Business License Office
(805) 564-5346
BCraig@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Old Town Business Improvement District (BID)

• Boundaries: The area bounded by Anacapa, Chapala, Gutierrez and Ortega Streets and businesses fronting on each street within or bounding the area, except businesses located north of the centerline Ortega Street.
• Assessment: Collected on an annual basis by the City of Santa Barbara and forwarded to the Downtown Organization.

For questions, please contact:
Business License Office
(805) 564-5346
BCraig@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Proposed Eastside Business Improvement District

The Milpas Community Association is proposing an improvement district for Eastside businesses that would assess businesses for marketing and promotional services, events, security, graffiti removal, and government relations. The district would extend through the Milpas commercial corridor from Cabrillo Blvd. to the County Bowl and cover Eastside businesses to the western boundary of Salsipuedes St. The total EBID annual budget for the initial year of its five (5) year operation is anticipated to be approximately $164,340.

In accordance with state law, the first step to form a new district is the development of a Management District Plan and petition gathering effort from the affected businesses. When the Milpas Community Association submits petitions from businesses that exceed 50% of the assessment value, the City’s process to review and evaluate the proposal will officially begin. Staff will verify that sufficient petitions were received and will prepare for the City Council a Resolution of Intention to initiate proceedings to levy an assessment with official public noticing and protest procedures.

The Draft Eastside Management District Plan is now available.

For questions on the Management District Plan, please contact:
Sharon Byrne, Executive Director of the Milpas Community Association
(805) 636-0475
sharon@mcasb.org