The future of Deltopia, an annual unsanctioned street party that draws thousands of college students and is often marked by riots and arrests, is uncertain after Santa Barbara County officials approved a 72-hour ban on loud music to coincide with the event.
During a Jan. 13 board meeting, administrators unanimously approved the ban, which would take place on the first weekend of UC Santa Barbara’s spring quarter, when thousands of college students flood Deltopia’s Isla Vista.
The vote came after a presentation by local authorities, who have highlighted Deltopia’s dangers over the years, including two deaths, a balcony collapse in 2013, a riot the following year that lasted several hours and numerous alcohol overdoses.
The Santa Barbara Independent reported that the administration will vote on the second and final reading of the legislation on Jan. 27.
The party, made popular among UC Santa Barbara students living in Isla Vista near campus, was temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 crisis but resumed in 2022, leading to multiple arrests and citations for the weekend-long event.
Isla Vista Foot Patrol Lt. Joe Schmidt told the board that an estimated 30,000 people visited Deltopia last year. He said there were 485 citations issued, 84 arrests, one gun seized from an out-of-towner and 122 calls from doctors in the Isla Vista area to Emergency Medical Services.
Schmidt said another proposal was to allow Deltopia to continue but close Isla Vista to prevent out-of-towners from entering through roadblocks and checkpoints. He said that based on the size of the community, “these measures cannot be systematically implemented.”
“For 16 years, the county of Santa Barbara has faced several challenges related to this unauthorized incident. An incident that has become dangerous to our community, dangerous to the environment, and harmful to our neighbors,” said Schmidt. “An authorized event with permitted music and all the safety measures in place is the solution to maintain the spirit of celebration, while reducing the history of injuries.”
Schmidt said the 72-hour noise ordinance includes proposed language that allows for amplified music permits at events sponsored by state or local agencies — allowing the approved festival to go forward.
“If that’s the direction the students want to go, I promise as superintendent to make sure that that approval is processed as quickly as possible and that it goes through,” said Supervisor Laura Capps, whose district includes Isla Vista, during the meeting.
During public comment, many students urged the board to vote for this law.
EJ Raad, external vice president of UCSB’s Associated Students, pointed out that the event began years ago as Floatopia, an unsanctioned beach festival that was later abolished by law.
“And what was the result? The students created Deltopia,” Raad said. “It didn’t stop partying or make it safer. It pushed students and residents to do it underground … Laws don’t change behavior, they create tension in society.”
