City Announces Red Tags Removed at Casa de la Raza for Completed First Phase of Safety Corrections

The City of Santa Barbara announced the first phase of safety corrections have been completed at Casa de La Raza at 601 E. Montecito Street.

On July 17, 2025, staff from the City of Santa Barbara’s Building & Safety Division and Fire Department conducted a follow-up inspection to review safety improvements completed as part of the first phase of building corrections.

The inspection followed a May 7, 2025, site visit that identified serious building and fire code violations, resulting in the posting of red tags and closure of the facility. Since then, the City has worked collaboratively with representatives of the building’s owners to address the violations, according to a press release from City staff.

“We’re pleased to announce that the required Phase I work has been completed and passed inspection. As a result, the red ‘Unsafe’ notices previously posted on the outside of the building have been removed, allowing most areas inside to once again be safely occupied,” stated City Chief Building Official Christina Dye.

The City also stated that to ensure the continued safety of all building users, two specific areas remain under restricted use:

• A red “Unsafe for Human Occupancy” placard has been placed outside of the doors leading into a room located in the back of the building, historically named as The Family Service Center. This is due to an insufficient number of emergency exits, which must be addressed before the space can safely host people.
• A yellow placard has been posted in the kitchen, temporarily restricting the use of cooking equipment. The area must receive final approval from the County Health Department and meet fire and life safety requirements before cooking can resume.

The City states these items, along with other remaining concerns, will be addressed in Phase II of the ongoing improvement process.

“The City recognizes that community partners rely on this building for important services and our shared goal is to make sure all spaces are safe for everyone who uses them. We remain committed to open communication, transparency, and support throughout this process,” City Administrator Kelly McAdoo said.

Casa de la Raza announced on July 22, 2025 that its doors were officially reopened. The space serves as a vital space for the Hispanic community in the city and has been integral in providing assistance to immigrant families during the increase of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

Casa plans to convert a catering truck into a mobile food pantry to reach those afraid to leave their homes. Community members are stepping up to donate non-perishable food items to help those in need.

Last year La Casa de la Raza was designated a historic landmark and is once again serving the people of Santa Barbara as a safe haven for the immigrant community. It is a sanctuary and a safe space, serving as a symbol of the community’s resilience.