July 22, 2014
Police and Public Works staff are taking enforcement action against water thieves.
Read More »

Electric Vehicles added to City fleet
July 10, 2014
The City has added another electric vehicle to its fleet. Taking advantage of federal and state incentives, a Nissan Leaf was procured as the City continues to purchase fuel efficient, low- emission vehicles. This is the third Nissan Leaf in the fleet to be shared by all City departments.

July 3, 2014
Please be advised that the 1100 block of Milpas Street (Milpas Street and Figueroa Street) will be closed due to emergency work on a sewer main.
Patrons of the scheduled event at the Santa Barbara Bowl should adjust their travel plans accordingly.
Read More »

July 3, 2014
The Transportation Division reminds citizens that regular daytime street sweeping will be cancelled on Friday, July 4, 2014, in observance of Independence Day, and parking enforcement for street sweeping in the posted Friday zones will also be cancelled that day. However, ALL other parking restrictions will be enforced.
Read More »

Wastewater Cogeneration System Receives Renewable Energy Award
July 1, 2014
The City's cogeneration system at the El Estero Wastewater Treatment Plant received an Honorable Mention from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for achievement in climate protection. The high-efficiency energy system, converts methane from plant operations to electricity.

June 23, 2014
The City has awarded contracts for the design of two bridge replacement projects in town. The bridges are located on Quinientos Street over Sycamore Creek, and on Anapamu Street over Old Mission Creek.
Funding was obtained through the Federal Highway Administration, which covers nearly the entire cost for both projects.
Read More »

May 22, 2014
The Transportation Division reminds citizens that regular daytime street sweeping will be cancelled on Monday, May 26, 2014 in observance of Memorial Day, and parking enforcement for street sweeping in the posted Monday zones will also be cancelled that day. However, ALL other parking restrictions will be enforced.
Read More »

May 20, 2014
Public Meeting for Commercial Sewer Users to Discuss:
What: City of Santa Barbara Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Program Requirements and City of Santa Barbara Commercial Sewer User Rate Changes
When: May 29, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Where: Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara CA 93103
Read More »

May 20, 2014
The City has received five awards from the Central Coast Chapter of the American Public Works Association. The winning projects include Chapala Street Bridge, Cater Ozone Water Treatment Project, Ortega Wells Filtration Project, and El Estero Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Project. The Association also named Pat Kelly, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer, as the 2014 Public Works Professional of the Year.
Read More »

May 20, 2014
On May 20, 2014, the Santa Barbara City Council declared a Stage Two Drought Condition in response to the driest consecutive three years on record, triggering drought related water use regulations as summarized below.
Read More »

April 4, 2014
Due to recent rain, leave sprinklers off until soil is dry and plants need water, at least two weeks. Only water your garden if absolutely necessary - save 1,000 gallons or more every day!
Read More »

April 3, 2014
The City of Santa Barbara’s Public Works Department will be repairing a sewer main, located between El Camino De La Luz and La Mesa Park from April 7 - April 25, 2014. Construction work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Nearby residents may experience minor construction noise; however, access to driveways will not be impacted.
Read More »

March 17, 2014
The average household wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water per year from easy to fix household leaks. As part of "Fix a Leak Week", the City Water Conservation Program is encouraging residents and businesses to check for leaks both inside and out.
Read More »

March 11, 2014
Following a nationwide executive recruitment process, City Administrator Jim Armstrong has appointed Rebecca Bjork as Public Works Director. Ms. Bjork has filled the vacancy on an interim basis since Christine Andersen retired in November 2013. She was selected from a pool of 91 candidates from across the country.
Read More »

February 24, 2014
Every year, as part of National Engineers Week, the local Santa Barbara/Ventura Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, selects a Project of the Year and Sustainable Project of the Year. This year, the City of Santa Barbara received an award in each category for the Cater Water Treatment Plant Advanced Treatment (Ozone) Project and the Fats, Oils, & Grease (Fog) Pilot Program, respectively.
Read More »

February 13, 2014
A Stage One Drought was declared by the Santa Barbara City Council on February 11, 2014. The City is asking residents and businesses to reduce water use by 20%. Current usage is 10% above normal water usage due to the dry winter and increased landscape water use. Water customers currently watering their garden are encouraged to reduce more than 20%.
Read More »

February 12, 2014
The Street Maintenance office of the Transportation Division reminds citizens that regular street sweeping in residential neighborhoods will be canceled on Monday, February 17, 2014, in observance of Presidents Day. Parking enforcement will also be canceled in the posted street sweeping zones on Monday.
Read More »
January 28, 2014
The City is asking residents and businesses to reduce outside water use during this dry weather.
Read More »

January 23, 2014
The dry winter we have been experiencing reminds us of the importance of our water supplies in Santa Barbara; we can help stretch our supplies during dry times by using water wisely every day. Santa Barbara's residents and businesses have done a great job conserving water over the past 25 years, but there is still a need for increased landscape water conservation. About half of the water used in the City goes to outdoor irrigation and that is where there is the most potential for water savings. For comparison, an average 15 minute shower uses 30 gallons total, while watering your lawn for 15 minutes on average uses 700 gallons! The city is asking businesses and residents to reduce outside water use now.
Read More »

January 15, 2014
The Street Maintenance office of the Transportation Division reminds citizens that regular street sweeping in residential neighborhoods will be canceled on Monday, January 20, 2014 in observance of Martin Luther King Day, and parking enforcement will also be canceled in the posted street sweeping zones that day.
Read More »
January 7, 2014
More than a month ahead of schedule, the Chapala Street Bridge over Mission Creek will reopen on Tuesday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m.
Read More »

December 17, 2013
The El Camino Sewer Main Rehabilitation work, between El Camino De La Luz and La Mesa Park, has been briefly postponed. Weather permitting, the work is expected to begin in late January 2014, and last until early February 2014. Construction work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. During the construction, nearby residents may experience minor construction noise, but access to driveways will not be impacted.
Read More »

November 15, 2013
The Public Works Department Annual Report has released its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2013. Through the many diverse programs in the Department, we strive to support the citizens of Santa Barbara and the community's needs. This report highlights some of the activities that occurred during the past fiscal year and key capital projects that reflect the City’s investment in public infrastructure.
View PDF
Read More »

November 14, 2013
The Public Works Department’s Engineering Division is planning to complete sewer main rehabilitation work underneath the El Camino De La Luz Pedestrian Bridge, located between El Camino De La Luz and La Mesa Park. The work will begin in early December 2013, and end approximately December 20, 2013. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. During the construction, nearby residents may experience minor construction noise, but access to residents’ driveways will not be impacted.
Read More »

November 6, 2013
The City of Santa Barbara's Public Works Department will begin construction on a new public sewer main at 450 Conejo Road starting November 11, 2013, and continuing through mid-December 2013. Construction hours will be limited to 7:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Tierra Contracting will be the contractor for the project.
Read More »

October 1, 2013
On Wednesday, October 9th, students across Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria will join school children around the world who are making a commitment to a healthier lifestyle by walking or bicycling to school on International Walk to School Day. All drivers are to use extra caution due to anticipation of more people arriving to school by foot, watch for parents and children walking and biking to and from school
Read More »
September 16, 2013
On Tuesday and Wednesday, September 17 and 18, 2013, starting at 9:00 p.m., the City of Santa Barbara’s contractor will be completing micro surfacing, a type of slurry sealing, on Carrillo Street between San Andres Street and La Coronilla Drive.
Read More »
September 11, 2013
The City of Santa Barbara’s Public Works Department will be repairing a sewer manhole located at the intersection of East Anapamu Street and Alta Vista Road on Saturday, September 14, 2013, from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Read More »

September 4, 2013
Saturday September 14th at Santa Barbara Junior High - 10 AM-3PM The 2nd annual Family Health and Wellness Fair hosted by the City of Santa Barbara, County of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Unified School District and Santa Barbara County Education Office.
Family bicycle day, Bici Familia, will offer a bilingual safety presentation and skills class with the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coaliton and COAST's Safe Routes to School program.
View PDF
Read More »
August 13, 2013
The City recently completed pedestrian safety improvements at the busy intersection of De La Vina and Figueroa Streets. New street lights were installed and curb extensions and new access ramps were constructed at all four corners.
Read More »
June 28, 2013
Learn why street maintenance is so critical to our City, the variety of treatments used to maintain and repair our streets and how the Public Works Department prioritizes, funds, and schedules Street Maintenance.
Read More »
June 10, 2013
The Public Works Department's Engineering Division will begin to replace the Punta Gorda Street Bridge on Lower Sycamore Creek, and widen the creek channel beginning in June 2013 and continuing through April 2014.
Read More »