The ongoing coronavirus crisis has prompted Santa Barbara County to extend its moratorium on residential and business evictions. With unemployment spiking because of the situation, the county first adopted a moratorium on evictions in March. In May, it was extended. This week, Santa Barbara County Supervisors decided to expand the period of emergency relief until September 30th.
The moratorium applies to individuals and commercial renters in unincorporated areas of the county. A number of cities in the region have adopted similar ordinances.
The moratorium doesn’t mean they are off the hook for rent. They still have to pay it, and landlords still have the ability to take legal action to collect it.