Downtown business tax has some protesters but Santa Barbara leaders expected to support it

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A special tax in the downtown business district of Santa Barbara is getting some opposition, but the City Council is expected to vote Tuesday to kick it in immediately.

The money will help the Downtown Organization with events and activities that generate foot traffic and revenue for those in a specific area.

There are 1317 downtown and old town businesses. The assessments vary depending on the type of business that is owned. It is based on a percentage of the business license tax.

If approved the city's report says

The annual assessment shall begin on March 4, 2020

Downtown Business Improvement District
Assessment: The assessment will be collected on an annual basis by the City of Santa
Barbara and remitted to Downtown Santa Barbara.
Category Charge
Professionals Equal to 15% of business tax paid.
Minimum of $50.00
All Others Equal to 100% of business license.
Boundaries: The area bounded by Anacapa, Chapala, Micheltorena and Ortega
Streets, and includes businesses fronting on each street within or
bounding the area, except the businesses located south of the centerline
of Ortega Street.
Old Town Business Improvement District
Assessment: The assessment will be collected on an annual basis by the City of Santa
Barbara and remitted to Downtown Santa Barbara.
Category Charge
Businesses located on State Street Equal to 100% of business license.
Minimum of $100.00
Businesses not located on State Street Equal to 75% of business license.
Minimum of $100.00
Automobile Sales and Service Businesses Businesses in Classification “B” of
Section 5.04.390 shall pay a
maximum charge of $600.00 per year
Other Businesses: Wholesale, Professional,
and Real Estate business as shown in
Category 5.04.400
$100.00
Boundaries: The area bounded by Anacapa, Chapala, Gutierrez and Ortega Streets
and businesses fronting on each street within or bounding the area,
except businesses located north of the centerline of Ortega Street.

For more information: Downtown Business Improvement District
Assessment