October 16, 2026

This week's newsletter is sponsored by

Events by Rincon

Book your Invisible Chef meal for the Holidays.

Blast chilled meal kits that preserve freshness & taste, allowing your family to enjoy a quality home cooked meal. We do the work and you take the credit! 805.566.9933, EventsByRincon.com

2026 Voters Guide: Stay Informed, Make Your Voice Heard

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our 2026 Voters Guide, designed to help our community stay informed about the local candidates and issues that impact our businesses, workforce, and quality of life.

As part of our mission to connect business and government in meaningful ways, we sent questionnaires to candidates running for Goleta City Council Districts 1 and 2, Carpinteria City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5, and Santa Barbara Mayor and City Council Districts 4, 5 and 6.

Their responses offer voters an opportunity to learn more about their perspectives and priorities. Our goal is not to tell you who or what to vote for, but to provide information that supports thoughtful conversations and informed decisions.

We believe a strong local economy starts with an informed and engaged community. Explore the guide, review the candidates’ responses, and make your voice heard this election season.

The Chamber also supports the South Coast Business Action Fund, a coalition of business leaders advancing a strong, competitive local economy through civic engagement. Learn more or contribute at BAF.SBSCChamber.com.

2026 State of the County Economic Summit

Sponsorships and Tables Still Available!

Join us on November 5 at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, for the 2026 State of the County Economic Summit: Connecting Policy to the Local Economy. Hear directly from regional leaders about the policies, priorities, and economic issues shaping our community. Register here.

Showcase your business in front of local business leaders, and the South Coast business community. Sponsorships and tables are available, connect with Michele.

Santa Barbara City Council Advances Rent Stabilization and Short-Term Rental Ordinances

What does this mean for the business community?

At last week's Santa Barbara City Council meeting, the Council approved two policies with major consequences for the local economy and businesses. The Council formally adopted the City's Residential Rent Stabilization and Residential Rental Registry Programs Ordinance in a 4-3 vote. The policy caps annual rent increases and will be effective starting January 1, 2027. While the Chamber strongly supports ensuring our community has attainable housing, we have remained opposed to the City’s rent stabilization ordinance. Rent stabilization may feel like a short-term solution, but robust evidence shows that it reduces the number of available units, significantly raises costs for new renters entering the market, and disincentivizes new housing construction. Rent stabilization, while well-intentioned, will only interfere with the natural supply and demand of our local housing market. The stability of the local economy, businesses, and the workforce relies on data-driven, long-term housing solutions that increase supply.



Councilmembers also unanimously supported the Short-Term Rental Program Ordinances. The policy bans a substantial portion of vacation rentals and Airbnbs, and is estimated to decrease annual tax revenue by millions. The restrictions on inland area short-term rentals will be effective starting January 2027, and the limits on coastal zone rentals must be approved by the California Coastal Commission in 2027. We advocate for a more holistic policy that protects necessary tax revenue and the visitor economy. By severely reducing the supply and diversity of lodging options, hospitality and tourist-serving businesses are expected to be negatively impacted.

Chamber Member Benefit: Get featured in our weekly newsletter reaching 8,000+ subscribers! Share your events, feel-good stories, PR, promotions, and deals. Submit to Berlin@SBSCChamber.com.

Lure Digital

Watch Lure Digital’s video celebrating 75 years of the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara!

The Wild & Free

Film Festival

Explore the Wild and Free Film Festival, November 6–8 in Goleta!

Cottage Health

Celebrate Cottage nurse Paula Gallucci, named a 2026 My SoCal Hospital Hero!

BCACSB

Explore free community events celebrating culture, dance, music, and Brazilian traditions this October!

SB Museum of Natural History

Rediscover dinosaurs with Dinorama: Miniatures Through the Mesozoic, opening October 17!

Santa Barbara Zoo

Daytime Boo at the Zoo runs October 16–31 with Halloween activities, costumes, candy, and more!

Braille Institute

Community Resource Mixer on October 29! Join the fun and win prizes. RSVP by October 22.

Wood Glen Senior Living 
Join on October 21 for a networking mixer featuring music, food and drinks from 3:30–5:30.

SBTHP

Presidio Harvest Festival returns Saturday, November 14, with music, crafts, food, and family fun!