The Goleta City Council has approved an urgency order to help residents and businesses who are suffering hardships due to the COVID-19 crisis. At its second virtual meeting, held April 21, the council approved an urgency ordinance to further refine the city’s previous orders against residential and commercial evictions.

Of note is the increase of the repayment period from six months to 12 months for residential tenancies. It also prevents landlords from imposing penalties, interest, and late fees to deferred rental payments on both residential and commercial evictions. The ordinance consolidates all of the city’s previous orders into one place.

The ordinance goes a step further by protecting residents from residential and commercial foreclosures. A mortgagee would be prohibited from foreclosing upon a mortgagor who cannot make a mortgage payment due to lost income caused by COVID-19, and sets the parameters of repayment to be six months after the local emergency is over.

Also, as a way to provide some financial relief to businesses, the City Council approved the deferral of business license fees until 60 days after the local emergency is lifted.

“The city wants to do what we can, where we can, to help residents and businesses who, due to circumstances beyond their control, have been dealt a devastating financial blow,” said Mayor Paula Perotte.

To sign up to receive the City Council agenda ahead of time, visit https://tinyurl.com/y36ervg4. Get current COVID-19 news from the city at www.CityofGoleta.org/COVID19.

Sign up for COVID-19 email/text notifications at https://tinyurl.com/vcu7agk or text GOLETA COVID19 to 468311.
 
Visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department https://publichealthsbc.org/ for updates.