Location Spotlight: Santa Barbara County Estates and Winery Events

By: Felici Events

Images by:

Melissa Musgrove Photography at Villa Verano (top)

Nathaniel Thompson at Fess Parker Winery (bottom)

Today’s location post is intended to both:

Educate the public and Santa Barbara Event Industry Businesses about proposed changes and regulations impacting the event industry.

Recognize and applaud the Santa Barbara Event Industry Professionals who have been avidly following and are involved in impeding new zoning ordinances from passing, which will affect and negatively impact the event industry.

There are two issues going on:

There are proposed amendments of the existing Santa Barbara County Zoning Ordinance prepared by the Planning Commission Staff.

The intention of these revisions is  to close a loophole in the existing temporary use (special event) regulations regarding the commercial use of agriculturally and residentially zoned property for special events.  The restrictions and new language rigidly limits the use of property owner’s homes for special events.  More importantly, it blankets a thresh hold of limitations on an industry that has complied and been working just fine with the current regulations.  In other words, a few rotten eggs and non-complying home owners are ruining it for all of us.

The second issue going on, affects wineries and tasting rooms and their ability for permissible uses on agricultural lands under any proposed revisions to the Santa Barbara County  Winery Development Ordinance.  The project includes a review and potential amendments to permit requirements and development standards for wineries and associated activities.

We’ll keep all posted on updates and actions from these two entities.

However, as an event planner, I have a piece of advice to all:

Rule of thumb, when renting a property for your next event or wedding, DO ask the right questions, and ensure that the location IS in fact zoned and properly permitted to hold events.