RV Parking Could be Coming to Santa Barbara Waterfront, Just Steps from the Sand

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. (KEYT) - Recreational vehicle owners may be able to spend the night closer to the beach soon in the City of Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara Harbor Commission is looking at new revenue options and RVs could be allowed in an area where they are currently off-limits for now.

The preferred site under review is the Palm Park to the east of Stearns Wharf. It is the same lot where the Skater's Point skate park is located.

Restriping would take place and there would be room for an estimated 26 RV spaces.

In a presentation to the commission the process involved several steps including a change to the municipal code by the Santa Barbara City Council and a Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission.

Revenue from the lot area now is estimated at $348,000 a year and the plan would have to be developed with fees that exceed the current mark.

This idea came out of a request citywide for all departments to present new funding solutions at a time when overall, the budget is struggling.

The Waterfront budget is an enterprise fund and operates independently from the larger city General Fund.

Issues at the waterfront alone include new costs for dredging going forward, insurance increases for Stearns Wharf and a gap in leases including at the former Anchor Rose site which is empty.

RV parking fees in the future would be an annual source of income and a new revenue stream.

The Palm lot has 127 spaces in the eastern half right now.

In the area, RV parking is popular along the Rincon and Emma Wood State beach in Ventura County.

(More details, video and photos will be added later today.)

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