Santa Barbara council adopts expanded single‑use materials ordinance after public debate

The Santa Barbara City Council voted Feb. 10 to adopt an ordinance revising local rules on single‑use materials, expanding existing prohibitions and launching a phased implementation aimed at helping businesses transition.

City staffer Daniella Rosales presented the ordinance to the council, saying it would amend titles and chapters of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code to add rigid polystyrene products to the local prohibition, require compostable‑compatible foodware where applicable, and prohibit the sale and distribution of small (8‑ounce) single‑use plastic water bottles at city‑owned and operated facilities. Rosales described outreach and pilot programs the city used to inform the proposal: door‑to‑door visits to 157 businesses, a survey of 282 businesses that found 56 using disposable service ware on site, and a reusable cup pilot with June Coffee that staff said resulted in about 17,000 reusable cups used during the trial.

"Nuestro objetivo es apoyar a las empresas en la transición hacia alternativas al papel a través de la educación y la divulgación," Rosales told the council, outlining planned grants to help small operators buy dishwashers and reusable dishware and noting the city recently hired a full‑time bilingual code compliance officer and a recycling educator to support implementation.

The ordinance also proposes to ban Mylar (metallic) balloons and plastic confetti because of their risk to power lines and wildlife, and to require that permitted events serve at least 10% of beverages in reusable cups during the ordinance’s first year, with a phased approach thereafter.

Business and arts groups urged the council to consider economic impacts and alternatives. María Stockham of the Coalition for Responsible Celebration, whose group represents local retailers and event artists, said a full sales ban would likely shift purchases online and harm small, local sellers. "Para muchas familias, los globos son una forma asequible y significativa para el amor y la conexión," she said, urging targeted education and responsible‑use policies rather than an outright sales ban.

Council discussion focused on enforceability (particularly of online purchases), impacts on small operators that lack dishwashing infrastructure, and exemptions for emergency services and public‑health needs. Staff said the city cannot regulate interstate online sales but that local sales prohibitions reduce local availability and, together with education, significantly lower local use. Rosales said first offenses would receive a written notice and that monetary penalties would range from $100 to $250 in accordance with existing city code provisions.

Councilmember Snedon moved to approve the ordinance as presented and the motion was seconded. In a roll call vote the motion carried: Councilmember Gutiérrez, Mayor Pro Tempore (Snedon/Temes) and Councilmember Hartmann voted yes; Councilmember Jordan was absent and Mayor Arauz recorded an abstention. The council approved the ordinance and directed staff to implement outreach, grants, and phased compliance measures.

The ordinance incorporates amendments to the municipal code (chapters 9.16 and 9.165 and repeal of chapter 9.15) and refers to penalties in chapters 1.5 and 1.28. Staff said they will return with additional legal analysis if the council requests further refinements and will continue bilingual outreach and business assistance.

The council’s action follows months of committee review and public outreach; staff cited prior local experience with a 2019 polystyrene prohibition and other pilot programs as evidence that businesses can transition over time.

What happens next: staff will proceed with the education and grant programs described and return to the council if legal or implementation changes are needed before full enforcement.