Buellton

In Compliance
Out of Compliance
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area

Overview

Population
5151
Density
3260
Avg. Household Income
$
102361
Experiencing Rent Burden
55
Providing adequate housing options is a key function of local governments. To help residents ensure their local government is meeting this need, we’ve compiled important information about this jurisdiction’s housing efforts below.
Housing Element is In Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Housing Element is Out of Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Good Progress
This city is currently on track to meet their RHNA housing targets.
Making Slow Progress
This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets.
Housing Targets
Every 8 years California assesses housing need and assigns each city with a target they must hit. If 
Buellton
 repeats its efforts from the previous cycle 
it will only meet 79% of the identified need.
Current RHNA Target
2022
 
-
 
2031
On Target
Behind
Hit Target
Missed
0
 / 
165
 units
Very Low Income
Low Income
Median Income
Above Median Income
State Statutes
Organizers fighting for fair housing can use many state laws to ensure that jurisdictions meet their housing targets.
Builder’s Remedy
When a city’s Housing Element is out of compliance, the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass the zoning code and city plans another couple of words.
Does not apply
Does not apply
Does not apply
SB 423
When cities lack a compliant housing element or are behind on RHNA, this statute streamlines approval of projects that meet a threshold of affordable units.
50% Affordable
50% Affordable
Conditions in 
Santa Barbara County
HE Compliance
How does
 
Buellton
 
compare to its neighboring cities?
This city is currently doing a worse job than its neighbors at meeting housing needs.
Progress
-3
-3
Income
8
8
Density
-4
-4
Join the Fun!
Key parts of
Buellton
’s housing element are currently being worked on. Get involved to hold them accountable for meeting their deadlines.
Santa Barbara County
's Volunteers
3
Current Watchdogs
  
Level I
3/10 Volunteers
Upcoming Opportunities
Add Event
These upcoming events and tasks are great opportunities to make a difference in your community.
Event Name
Date
Type
Stop by Drinks & Agendas
Each Friday at 12:00PST our team gets together via Zoom to monitor local agendas so we can direct watchdogs to key meetings where decisions are being made about housing.
Watchdog Reports
Add Report
Our watchdogs are on the ground observing and taking part in the fight for fair housing. Read their reports below.
Buellton
's Reports
Anonymous
Fedor Manin
  
06
/
22

This was mostly an informational meeting with some Q/As.  County Supervisor Das Williams gave a rousing but somewhat defensive speech at the beginning -- he is a real ally, but obviously expects opposition.  Then planners presented their plans.  Then there were some pre-selected questions from those who registered and finally just 2 questions from the audience.  The first audience question was "You're saying you want affordability, I believe upzoning raises land values, discuss."  The planners did not attempt to correct her understanding of economics, instead went on the defensive, "upzoning is just one of the tools", City of SB went so far as saying there won't be any net upzoning in their plan.

I have notes on the other questions but nothing leaps out as especially telling.

City of SB draft HE will be out in early July.  The allocation is 8001 units, they are saying that nearly 1000 will come from ADUs and 1800+ at La Cumbre Plaza (single large development).  They claim that they have enough sites with minimal rezoning (although in the presentation they also mentioned completely removing parking requirements downtown and increasing allowed density).  I asked Dan Gullett (SB principal planner) how they intend to quadruple housing production without rezoning.  He essentially said that the unit number is merely a guideline and won't really be achieved -- not a good sign.

Read More
   
/
 Loss
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
/
 Pro Housing