Lower Cost Overnight Accommodations (LCOA) Study Process
The City has begun an effort to analyze the facilities that tourists stay in overnight to visit the coast, to determine how best to ensure that the coast is accessible to all. Because a lack of affordable facilities can limit the public's ability to stay in and access the coast, the primary focus of the effort is the so-called "Lower Cost Overnight Accommodations" (LCOA), which are typically defined as hostels, campgrounds, rv parks, cabins, and boat slips (as opposed to hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts, which are typically more expensive). This effort is taking a holistic view of how tourists who stay overnight access the coast, and looking not only at the coastal portion of the City, but also the inland areas, where there is still abundant means of access to the coast and short travel distances. Ultimately, this effort will conclude with new policies that will be presented for consideration first to the City Planning Commission, later to the City Council, and ultimately to the California Coastal Commission. At this time, it is envisioned that any new programs or policies would only be effective in the Coastal Zone portion of the City. A map of the Coastal Zone can be found here.
Project Timeline
| Milestone |
Timeline |
| Consultant Acquisition |
April 2018 |
| Inventory of Overnight Accommodations Complete |
October 2018 |
| Public Meeting |
January 2019 |
| Lower Cost Overnight Accommodations Policy Options Developed |
Spring/Summer 2019 |
| Lower Cost Overnight Accommodations Study Completed |
Fall 2019 |
| Begin LCP Amendment Consultation Process with CCC Staff |
Winter 2020 |
| Planning Commission and City Council LCP Amendment Review and Adoption |
Fall 2020 |
| LCP Amendment submitted to CCC for Certification |
Winter 2020 |
Project Contact
Timmy Bolton
TBolton@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
(805) 564-5512
Rosie Dyste
RDyste@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
(805) 564-5470 ext. 4599
