Skip to main content Skip to site navigation

City of Santa Barbara

Beacon Participant Profile

“The City of Santa Barbara saved over $150,000 by conducting energy retrofits in various municipal buildings. That savings can be used to bridge our budget gap, save jobs, ensure funding for programs and services, or a combination of them all.”  – City of Santa Barbara 2010 Sustainability Achievement Report

About Santa Barbara

  • Incorporated: April 9, 1850
  • Population: 90,893
  • Location: Southeastern Santa Barbara County
  • Elevation: 49 feet above sea level
  • Area: 43 square miles (21 land, 22 water)

Climate Action Activities

Climate Action Resources

Awards

Gold Beacon Award (2019)

Agency Energy Savings

  • Gold Level, 10% (2013)

Agency Natural Gas Savings

  • Gold Level, 16% (2016)
  • Silver Level, 7% (2015)

Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions

  • Platinum Level, 26% (2015)
  • Gold Level, 15% (2013)

Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions

  • Platinum Level, 23% (2013)

Sustainability Best Practices

  • Platinum Level (2015)
  • Gold Level (2013)
Case Story

Santa Barbara’s Ride Share Program Takes Off

In 2009, the City of Santa Barbara implemented a shared-use vehicle program to reduce fuel costs and the number of vehicles in the city’s fleet. Since the program began, the city has cut fuel use by eight percent, saving about $84,000 annually.

Since the city needs fewer vehicles because of efficiencies, it was able to purchase two new electric vehicles instead of replacing 15 regular vehicles. As of 2012, one-third of the 480 vehicles in the city’s fleet are either fuel efficient or use alternative fuel.

Case Story

Santa Barbara Provides for City’s Homeless

The community of Santa Barbara (population 91,000) has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. The median single-family home price now tops $1 million. Despite the city’s impressive record on producing affordable housing (12 percent of the housing stock), demand far exceeds supply.

Log in