As Santa Barbara grew from a presidio to a city, little thought was given to architectural continuity. During the rapid growth of the 1880's, most of the new buildings were brick or wood "main street" type structures. In 1922, the Community Arts Association formed a group called the Plans and Planting Committee, which campaigned to increase public awareness of and appreciation for architectural quality and integrity.
In 1925, a major earthquake badly damaged a majority of Santa Barbara's original brick and wooden commercial buildings. This catastrophe provided the Plans and Planting Committee with an opportunity to guide the necessary rebuilding according to its own uniform architectural and stylistic program.
The original Architectural Board of Review (ABR), formed in 1925, operated for only nine months. Discontinued for over two decades, the ABR was re-established in 1947 by ordinance, and in 1967 as a Charter Board.
Learn more about serving on this advisory group.
Membership | 7 Members |
Qualifications | Three members need not be qualified electors of the City at the time of their appointment so long as they are qualified electors of Santa Barbara County and remain so qualified during their terms on the Board
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Length of Term | Four years and until successors are appointed. Staggered terms expire on December 31 of the appropriate year. |
Meeting Schedule | The Board generally meets every other Monday at 3:00 p.m. (the Single Family Design Board meets on alternate Mondays) in the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room (DGPMR), 630 Garden Street. The Consent Calendar is generally held every Monday at 1:00 p.m. in the DGPMR. |
Time Involved | Approximately 10 - 14 hours per month for meetings and related activities. |
Financial Disclosure Requirement | Members are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests upon appointment, annually and when leaving the advisory group. |
AB 1234 - Ethics Requirement | Assembly Bill (AB) 1234 requires this board to complete AB 1234 Ethics Training no later than one year after the first day of service and then the training course must be completed once every two years thereafter. |
Compensation | $50 for each full board meeting attended and $25 for each Consent Calendar meeting completed. |
Staff | Planning Division, Community Development Department, (805) 564-5470 |
Reference | Measure E, November 3, 2009, General Municipal Election; City Charter Sections 800-805, 814 and 817; Municipal Code Section 2.08.020.B and Chapter 22.68; Ordinance Nos. 5050, 4701, 3792, and 3646; Resolution Nos. 07-063 and 06-084 |