Town Hall Scheduled for November 12 to Gather Community Input

Isla Vista, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is sharing information about a proposed change to the County’s Outdoor Festival Ordinance that would establish a temporary 72-hour ban on amplified music during the weekend of Deltopia. Currently, the ordinance prohibits amplified music from 6:00pm to 7:00am.  The proposal, currently under consideration by County officials, is intended to reduce the long-standing public safety concerns, quality-of-life impacts, and strain on emergency resources that surge annually during the unsanctioned street party weekend in Isla Vista.

The proposed amendment would temporarily suspend amplified music that is audible from any public property in Isla Vista, beginning Friday at midnight through Sunday at midnight during the designated Deltopia weekend each year. The restriction would apply to residential & commercial properties, short-term rentals, private gatherings, and would be enforceable through citation and associated fines.

Lieutenant Joe Schmidt, who leads the Isla Vista Foot Patrol said “Deltopia has evolved into a large-scale event that creates significant safety risks, not only for the students and visitors in Isla Vista, but for the surrounding communities of Goleta and Santa Barbara. Every year we see medical emergencies, alcohol poisonings, assaults, and a level of crowding that overwhelms our resources. A temporary amplified-music ban is one proactive step to reduce the harmful conditions that fuel these problems.”

Lt. Schmidt added that the goal is not to eliminate celebration, but to “give the community relief from the block-party atmosphere that repeatedly escalates into dangerous behavior,” noting that law enforcement continues to explore strategies that balance safety, tradition, and public input.

The public is invited to a Town Hall Meeting to learn more about the proposed ordinance change, ask questions, and offer public comment.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Isla Vista Theater

960 Embarcadero del Norte

Isla Vista, CA 93117

Representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, County staff, and other partner agencies will be in attendance. Community members, including Isla Vista residents, UCSB students, university leadership, business owners, and neighboring city residents, are encouraged to participate and voice their perspectives.

Public input from this meeting will help guide future Board of Supervisors discussion and decision-making on the proposal.