The parking saga involving the Hot Springs Trail in Montecito continues as the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved new parking restrictions near the popular trailhead.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted to declare tow-away zones during high fire risk weather on nearby streets, including parts of East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road.

The board voted to approve the parking restrictions as part of its administrative agenda.

The tow-away zones would be in effect only during Red Flag Warnings, which the National Weather Service issues to indicate high fire risk weather, such as warm temperatures, winds and dry conditions.

“In the State of California, it is now recognized that people living in high fire danger areas should be prepared for a year-around fire season. With this now continual fire season, concerns have increased over the volume of people going into the Wildland Urban Interface for recreational activities,” a staff report stated.

The county has been working to establish clearer rules for parking along the trail’s entrance during the past few months. In March, the county installed new signs informing visitors that the parking lot near the trail was open from 8 a.m. to sunset, not overnight.

Parking at the Hot Springs Trail has been a source of contention over the past few years as the trail has become more popular with residents and tourists.

The hiking spot drew attention on TikTok in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and started drawing more visitors from inside and outside Santa Barbara County. The crowds have strained the area’s parking capacity. The lot at the entry to the trail contains eight spots, but visitors also have parked along the road.

Residents near the trail have complained about vandalism, trash, noise, and people parking illegally.

The pools themselves aren’t natural, and some neighbors have called for them to be removed.