The Waterfront Director shall take custody of all property found within the Harbor district not in the lawful possession or control of any person. The lawful owners may claim such property by showing proof of ownership and paying all expenses incurred by the Waterfront Director in connection therewith, including charges for raising, keeping and storing the same. If any property is not claimed, and all charges are not paid, within 60 days after the Waterfront Director has taken custody of it, the Waterfront Director is authorized to sell the same as abandoned property in accordance with the terms of existing law.
(Prior code §24.4; Ord. 4757, 1992)
Prior to departure from the Harbor, all boat owners or operators shall report to the Waterfront Director if a slip is to be released, vacated or unoccupied for five or more days.
(Prior code §24.6; Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 5386, 2006)
Vessel launching or removal from the Harbor is unlawful, except at public or commercial locations designated for such purpose, without first obtaining permission from the Waterfront Director.
(Prior code §24.7; Ord. 2882 §1, 1962; Ord. 2915 §1, 1963; Ord. 2973 §1, 1964; Ord. 4200, 1983; Ord. 4757, 1992)
Fees for the privilege to enter and use the public launching ramp for launching a boat shall be established by City Council resolution.
(Prior code §24.7(a); Ord. 2973, 1964; Ord. 3333, 1968; Ord. 3932 §1, 1977; Ord. 4757, 1992)
After December 1, 2015, only operable vessels as defined in Section 17.04.010, and as required in Section 17.20.005.K, shall be berthed, moored or anchored in the Harbor District. Man-made floating objects that were existing and were berthed, moored or anchored in the Harbor District as of December 1, 2015, and were not "operable vessels," as set forth in Section 17.04.010, shall be allowed to continue to be berthed, moored or anchored in the Harbor District. To remain berthed, moored or anchored in the Harbor as a man-made floating object existing after December 1, 2015, the man-made floating object shall not exceed the length or beam that was existing on December 1, 2015 and shall comply with all other requirements of Santa Barbara Municipal Code except as set forth above.
(Ord. 5728, 2015; Ord. 6090, 2022)
It is unlawful for any person to willfully or carelessly destroy, damage, disturb, deface or interfere with any buoy, float, life preserver, sign, notice or any other municipal or public property within the Harbor district under the jurisdiction of the City, and such person shall make full restitution for any resulting damages to the City.
(Prior code §24.8; Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 5901, 2019)
The master and pursers of all vessels using the Harbor or wharves shall furnish the Waterfront Director with information regarding the size and kind of vessel; the amount, kind and value of waterborne freight handled, and the number of passengers carried and submit their papers, including their manifests for inspection, upon demand.
(Prior code §24.9; Ord. 4757, 1992)
The owner of any vessel shall assume all risk of damage or loss of any kind to his or her property while it is within the limits of the Harbor district. The City assumes no risk on account of fire, theft, act of God, conditions of the sea, or damages of any kind to vessels.
(Prior code §24.11; Ord. 4757, 1992)
No person shall operate any surfboard, sailboard, paddleboard, raft, or similar craft or device, in or across the main channel, or in area of launching ramps, marinas, and turning basins; without first having obtained permission from the Waterfront Director.
(Prior code §24.141; Ord. 2749 §1, 1959; Ord. 4308, 1984; Ord. 4757, 1992)
No person shall use or operate any sailboard, windsurfer or similar device in the waters bounded by West Beach, Stearns Wharf, the rock groin at the Harbor entrance and an imaginary line connecting the Santa Barbara Harbor Light 4 (located at the end of Stearns Wharf) to Santa Barbara Harbor Breakwater Light (located at the most southeasterly point of the breakwater) between the hours of 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays during the months of April, May, June and July.
(Ord. 4308, 1984)
A. 
It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel within the Harbor:
1. 
At a speed greater than five nautical miles per hour;
2. 
In a manner that creates a wake that causes docks, floating structures or vessels secured to docks or floating structures to move in a way that threatens safety, or damages floating structures or vessels; or
3. 
In a manner that fails to account for visibility, weather conditions, other vessels, property or for the safety of all persons.
B. 
This section shall not apply to public officers in the performance of their official duties or persons issued a special permit by the Waterfront Director.
(Prior code §24.16; Ord. 2666 §1, 1958; Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 5124, 1999; Ord. 5602, 2012)
A. 
Unlawful operation of vessels in Stearns Wharf Wye. It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel within the Stearns Wharf Wye at a speed greater than five nautical miles per hour. This section shall not apply to public officers in the performance of their official duties.
B. 
Definition of Stearns Wharf wye. The Stearns Wharf Wye shall be defined as the area depicted on Exhibit A.
Exhibit A
(Ord. 5841, 2018)
It is unlawful to operate a power driven vessel, or a sail vessel, within any designated swim area in the Harbor District unless authorized by the Waterfront Director. Swim areas shall be designated by the placement of regulatory buoys.
(Prior code §24.17(a); Ord. 2666 §2, 1958; Ord. 4757, 1992; Ord. 5458, 2008)
No person shall enter the Harbor waters except slip permittees, lessees, licensees and those persons with valid Business Activity Permits, who, in the course of doing boat maintenance are required to be in the water. Swimming is permitted from that portion of West Beach bordered by Stearns Wharf, the rock groin and the navigation channel, and the seaward portion of the sandspit.
(Prior code §24.18; Ord. 2749 §2, 1959; Ord. 4757, 1992)
Commencing January 1, 2026, all vessels in the Santa Barbara Harbor District must remain currently insured to retain a slip permit or to moor or to anchor. Vessel insurance must, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:
A. 
Commercial and Recreational Vessels.
1. 
Provide general liability vessel insurance coverage, with a minimum policy limit of $300,000. Insurance policies for vessels held in partnership, trust, or a corporation must list the individual names of each vessel partner.
2. 
Vessel insurance policies shall name the City of Santa Barbara as additional insured, if available from the underwriter, unless mooring or anchoring for less than 90 days.
3. 
This subsection does not apply in cases where a vessel requests to anchor or moor in cases of emergency as determined by the Waterfront Director or their designee, however, such vessel must depart after the emergency.
4. 
Vessel owners must provide to the Waterfront Director a notice of cancellation of their insurance coverage or removal of the City as additionally insured within five business days of such event.
B. 
Excluded Vessels.
This vessel insurance policy is not applicable to launched vessels, human-powered watercraft, or skiffs less than 15 feet in length.
(Ord. 6180, 5/13/2025)
A. 
Effective January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, those required to have vessel insurance pursuant to Section 17.12.200, are required to present their insurance declaration page demonstrating minimum policy requirements to the Waterfront Director or their designee upon request.
B. 
Any vessel required to have vessel insurance will be given 60 calendar days to provide proof of compliance. Failure to do so will result in the following:
1. 
Termination of the Slip or Live Aboard Permit. Slip permittees may request a waiver of the termination from the Waterfront Director under Section 17.20.005(J) of the Municipal Code. The permittee must request an appeal with the Waterfront Director within 10 calendar days the permit is terminated.
2. 
After a notice of termination is issued, if a permittee elects to appeal the termination, the vessel may be subject to impound per Santa Barbara Municipal Code Section 17.20.220(A). An appeal under Chapter 1.30 does not stay any impound procedures.
3. 
Owners of transient vessels that do not obtain vessel insurance required under Section 17.12.200 may be denied permission to moor or anchor pursuant to Section 17.20.010.
4. 
Owners of transient vessels that do not obtain vessel insurance required under Section 17.12.200 that have been denied permission to moor or to anchor may be subject to impound per Santa Barbara Municipal Code Section 17.20.220(A).
(Ord. 6180, 5/13/2025)