At its June 27 meeting, the Carpinteria City Council voted to adopt an urgency ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on new formula businesses in the City. Formula business regulations have been adopted in many other cities in California as a means of supporting small commercial establishments, retaining a greater amount of business profits locally, and protecting small town charm and character.
The moratorium is now in effect citywide, with the exception of the Casitas Plaza and Shepard Place Shops, and it applies to any commercial business operating as a retail sales, restaurant/food service, and/or hotel that has more than seven locations. Though the moratorium is temporary, the City Council will pursue permanent regulations for the establishment of formula businesses within the City.