Ordinance committee forwards vessel-insurance requirement to City Council

The Santa Barbara City Council Ordinance Committee voted 3-0 April 29 to forward to the full City Council a draft ordinance that would require most vessels in the Santa Barbara Harbor District to carry liability insurance and add administrative enforcement and appeal procedures to the municipal code.

Nathan Aldridge, the Waterfront’s harbor operations manager, told the committee that “Santa Barbara is one of only a few harbors throughout California that does not require insurance,” and that the proposed requirement is intended to protect the city and boaters from cleanup and infrastructure costs after accidents, sinks or fires.

The draft ordinance would add two sections to the Santa Barbara Municipal Code (proposed 17.12.0.2 and 17.12.0.21). Under the draft, effective Jan. 1, 2026, vessels that hold a slip permit or that moor or anchor in city waters generally must maintain general liability vessel insurance with a minimum policy limit of $300,000. The draft narrows some earlier proposals: staff removed a separate wreck/spill liability clause, reduced the minimum from $500,000 to $300,000, and made an “additional insured” endorsement a requirement only if the underwriter makes it available.

The ordinance would exempt launched vessels and…