City News in Brief - March 2, 2026

Eastside Job Fair for Spanish and Bilingual Job Seekers

Join us at the Eastside Job Fair to find your next job opportunity! This event is specifically tailored for employers actively seeking bilingual and Spanish-speaking jobseekers. Meet representatives from a diverse array of organizations and industries eager to connect with hardworking and enthusiastic individuals to fill available positions. Don't miss this chance to expand your professional network, and explore increased job placement opportunities in a relaxed and inclusive setting.

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West Beach neighborhood showing apartments and views of the mountains

Short-Term Rental Ordinances at Planning Commission

The Santa Barbara Planning Commission will review proposed Short‑Term Rental (STR) ordinances at its March 5 meeting. These new laws aim to incentivize long-term housing over transitory use as directed by City Council and outlined in the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element. Community members are encouraged to attend or follow along online to learn more about the proposed changes.

Make It: Building a Public Art Practice

The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture presents Make It: Building a Public Art Practice, a 10-session workshop series designed to support artists interested in working in public art. The series offers practical guidance on finding opportunities, preparing applications, budgeting, fabrication, installation, and long-term care of artworks. Most sessions will be held on Zoom, and artists may register for the full series or select individual workshops.

City Hall El Paseo Downtown Santa Barbara Building

Legislative Committee: Platform Update & Priority Bills

Committee members will consider updates to the City’s Legislative Platform to align with the City's adopted 2026–2030 Santa Barbara Strategic Plan. The committee will also receive a presentation from the City's lobbyist on priority legislative bills for preparation of advocacy letters or communications consistent with the City’s platform.

Santa Barbara Airport Hosting Blood Drive

Santa Barbara Airport will host a community blood drive on Thursday, March 19, inside the Historic Ovington Terminal. The event is a collaborative effort between Santa Barbara Airport, Delta Air Lines, and the American Red Cross, bringing together local partners to support patients in need.

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Protect Yourself from Scams: City's Payment Policy

The City of Santa Barbara reminds residents to stay vigilant against scams. The City will never request payment via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps. All legitimate fees are processed securely through Accela Citizen Access (ACA). If you receive a payment request outside of ACA, it is not authorized by the City and should be treated as a scam.

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Upcoming Neighborhood Advisory Council Meeting

Join the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) on Monday, March 9, at the Louise Lowry Davis Center. The NAC represents various neighborhood residents to ensure their concerns and issues are addressed. Sign up to receive email notifications when agendas are posted, submit a comment, and attend the meeting.

Thumbnail for YouTube video "Own Your Impact"

Own Your Impact: Protect What You Love

Own Your Impact is a community sustainability campaign that empowers residents to take simple, meaningful actions that reduce emissions, save energy, and protect what makes our region special. When you make climate‑smart choices at home and on the go, you’re not just reducing your carbon footprint - you’re helping build a healthier, more resilient community. Sign up today!

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Thumbnail for YouTube video "Santa Barbara Clean Energy Community Tree Program"

SBCE Accepting Reservations for Free Trees!

Santa Barbara Clean Energy's (SBCE) popular Community Tree Program is accepting reservations for free trees. The program offers free drought-resistant trees to residential customers to plant on their property. This program supports the City’s Climate Action Plan by expanding the urban forest, which creates shade and cooling, habitat for wildlife, and takes carbon out of the atmosphere. Quantities are limited and available by reservation only so apply now!

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