Developers and attorneys urge caution on proposed short‑term rental limits
April 15, 2026 | Santa Barbara City, Santa Barbara County, California
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Members of the public and professionals urged the City Council to approach proposed short‑term rental restrictions cautiously during the April 14 public comment period.
Steven Leonard, who identified himself as an associate attorney at Ángel Lab, told the council the ordinance under consideration could eliminate hundreds of short‑term rentals and urged staff to perform an environmental review under Section 15061(b)(3) before final action. Leonard said the proposed provisions risked unintended displacement of lodging demand outside the city and called for clearer staff reporting and revised notice guidelines.
Other commenters raised housing‑market and property‑rights concerns, and some asked the council to consider targeted alternatives rather than broad prohibitions. Councilmembers acknowledged the concern and noted the item had been discussed in recent ordinance‑committee meetings and would receive further review as needed.
The comment came ahead of several agenda votes that moved forward with consent items and larger code amendments elsewhere on the agenda.
Steven Leonard, who identified himself as an associate attorney at Ángel Lab, told the council the ordinance under consideration could eliminate hundreds of short‑term rentals and urged staff to perform an environmental review under Section 15061(b)(3) before final action. Leonard said the proposed provisions risked unintended displacement of lodging demand outside the city and called for clearer staff reporting and revised notice guidelines.
Other commenters raised housing‑market and property‑rights concerns, and some asked the council to consider targeted alternatives rather than broad prohibitions. Councilmembers acknowledged the concern and noted the item had been discussed in recent ordinance‑committee meetings and would receive further review as needed.
The comment came ahead of several agenda votes that moved forward with consent items and larger code amendments elsewhere on the agenda.
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