Changes to Santa Barbara County’s ordinance that will require cannabis operators to install carbon scrubbers and take other odor abatement measures are expected to take effect early next year.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved ordinance changes earlier this year after ongoing complaints from residents about odors from cannabis farms in the county, particularly in the Carpinteria Valley.
Jeffrey Wilson, the assistant director of Planning & Development for the county, told the board that the California Coastal Commission issued conditional approval for the ordinance changes, but asked for some revisions.
One of the primary requests was to establish a set date in the code for when the ordinance would take effect. Wilson said the code will now say that cannabis operators must comply with the ordinance by March 18.
Tuesday’s update asked the board to approve the changes and resubmit them to the California Coastal Commission by January in order to receive final approval before the March deadline.
First District Supervisor Roy Lee thanked the staff and the commission for their work. Residents in Lee’s district have been some of the most outspoken regarding odor from cannabis operations.
“Today is a great day for people in the Carpinteria Valley,” Lee said. “It’s something that they been struggling with, and it’s good to see that there is change coming.”
Second District Supervisor Laura Capps also praised the commission for its ability to approve the changes quickly.
“They really have acknowledged this issue as being something that’s been challenging for the neighbors of Carpinteria,” Capps said.
