Lower Cost Overnight Accommodations (LCOA) Study

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

Project Contact

Timmy Bolton
TBolton@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
(805) 564-5512

Rosie Dyste
RDyste@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
(805) 564-5470 ext. 4599