News

New cannabis law lowers tax rates, allows consumption lounges and events

Posted on December 12, 2022

Santa Ana is the top destination for legal cannabis in Orange County. SANTA ANA, Calif. – Santa Ana will continue to be the top destination for legal cannabis in Orange County thanks to several new measures approved by the Santa Ana City Council that will lower tax rates and allow marijuana consumption lounges and events....

City expands administration and enforcement of renter protections for residents

Posted on December 8, 2022

The amended Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance became effective on November 18, 2022. SANTA ANA, Calif. – The amended Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance expands the administration and enforcement of renter protections for Santa Ana residents by establishing a rental housing board and a rental registry program. The amended Ordinance also...

Santa Ana’s first female mayor, City Councilmembers to take office

Posted on December 7, 2022

SANTA ANA, Calif. – For the first time in Santa Ana’s 153-year history, a woman will be sworn in as mayor next week, along with three City Councilmembers. In the Nov. 8, 2022, General Municipal Election, Santa Ana voters elected Valerie Amezcua as mayor, Benjamin Vazquez to represent City Council Ward 2, Mayor Pro Tem...

Ward 3 newsletter: November 2022

Posted on November 24, 2022

Dear Ward 3, This Thanksgiving, we celebrate this beautiful city, Santa Ana, and we share with you in giving thanks. I hope you and your family are enjoying quality time together today and over the long weekend. I can't help but feel the warmth and excitement as I walk and drive through the various Ward...

Ward 1 – Newsletter

Posted on November 7, 2022

Dear Ward 1 Residents, I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since I was elected to serve Ward 1! It’s been truly an honor and a privilege to work alongside the community, staff, and stakeholders to craft policies and implement programs that improve residents’ lives. This year, we’ve had so many first-time events to...

City breaks ground on Westview House affordable housing development

Posted on November 7, 2022

On Nov. 2, 2022, the City of Santa Ana joined Community Development Partners and other project partners - including HUD, Mercy House and County of Orange - in breaking ground on the Westview House affordable housing community at Westminster Avenue and Fairview Street. Westview House will provide 85 units of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom...

Mayor Sarmiento’s newsletter: October 2022

Posted on October 30, 2022

Happy fall! From warm summer nights to cool breezy days, the fall season is officially here. I hope you’ve had the opportunity to check out our recent events, which include the Mid-Autumn Festival, Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, and our Halloween movie series at Birch Park. In Santa Ana, we are proud to host events that...

Two men wearing suits and ties sit in black chairs at a blue table in front of a blue background with the City of Santa Ana seal on it and sign papers.

Santa Ana establishes sister city partnership with Sahuayo, Mexico

Posted on October 20, 2022

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana today celebrated its new sister city relationship with Sahuayo, Mexico. Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento held a ceremonial signing of the sister city resolution that was unanimously approved by the Santa Ana City Council on Oct. 4. He was joined at City Hall by Santa Ana...

Ward 3 newsletter: September 2022

Posted on September 30, 2022

Happy fall! It's hard to believe, but--yes--we are officially in fall. We wouldn't be able to tell by the recent warmer-than-usual weather, but it's a good thing that we're finally experiencing a reprieve this weekend with cooler temperatures. I hope you and your families have had a fantastic summer and are ready for the new...

Ward 5 newsletter

Posted on August 26, 2022

Welcome! Dear neighbors, Welcome to our Ward 5 newsletter, where I share news, legislative updates, community events and highlight local art, businesses, and causes that are important to Ward 5 residents. As we approach the end of summer, I want to cover some important news that affects our community. First, I want to let you...

Mayor Sarmiento’s newsletter – August 2022

Posted on August 11, 2022

Happy Thursday! I hope you're having a great summer so far and have had an opportunity to join us at some of our recent celebrations, such as Juneteenth and Fourth of July, or our ongoing Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park series (these series run through the rest of August!). The City...

Ward 3 newsletter: August 2022

Posted on July 31, 2022

Dear neighbors, I hope everyone is staying cool in this summer heat, while also taking advantage of the longer days, the sunlight, and the good weather. Our Parks and Recreation team has been hard at work, planning and hosting community events, such as Juneteenth and Fourth of July celebrations, along with weekly Movies in the Park screenings at parks...

Ward 1 – Newsletter

Posted on July 25, 2022

COUNCILMEMBER PHAN’S WELCOME MESSAGE: Dear Ward 1 Residents, Wow, what a year it’s been so far! It felt like things were back in full swing with more access to COVID vaccines, more businesses opening up, and more events! The pandemic hasn’t left yet, and we all must still be vigilant, but I hope that...

A statement from the Santa Ana City Council

Posted on June 30, 2022

The Santa Ana City Council met in closed session this evening to address two cases of pending litigation and a security threat. While the City Council did not make any reportable decisions it asked for release of the following statement. The City of Santa Ana recently learned that one of its officials and the official’s...

City Council approves loans for Affordable Housing Projects

Posted on June 29, 2022

The City of Santa Ana continues to invest in affordable housing for our residents. On June 21, 2022, the City Council approved $5.2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act housing funds for the development of WISEPlace to provide 47 units of permanent supportive housing at 1411 N. Broadway. The project will provide formerly homeless...

Adopted 2022-2023 Santa Ana Budget expands City services

Posted on June 22, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: Paul Eakins Public Affairs Information Officer (714) 647-5224 peakins@santa-ana.org The City Council approved the new budget on June 21. SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday, June 21, unanimously adopted a new City budget that will create additional parks and outdoor spaces, expand youth programs, improve libraries, fix...

Santa Ana adopts water conservation actions

Posted on June 8, 2022

SANTA ANA, Calif. — The Santa Ana City Council approved reduction actions for a Level 2 Water Supply Shortage on June 7, 2022, asking all Santa Ana residents to lower their water use by following water conservation practices and for businesses to improve their water use processes. While there is no current water supply emergency...

Updated General Plan goes into effect on May 26

Posted on May 25, 2022

The updated General Plan of the City of Santa Ana will go into effect on Thursday, May 26, 2022, the first time it has been comprehensively updated in 40 years. The Santa Ana City Council approved the General Plan update on April 19, 2022. The Santa Ana General Plan provides long-term policy direction to guide...

City Council Resolution for Chinatown Burning signed at Ceremony

Posted on May 25, 2022

On May 24, 2022, Mayor Vicente Sarmiento was joined by members of the City Council to sign a historic resolution apologizing to Chinese immigrants and their descendants for acts of fundamental injustice and discrimination, seeking forgiveness, and committing to the rectification of past policies and misdeeds. The resolution stems from the City's actions on May...

Hometown Heroes Military Banners program launches

Posted on May 23, 2022

On Monday, May 23, 2022, the City of Santa Ana unveiled our new Hometown Heroes street banners that proudly feature the name and branch of participating service members to acknowledge and thank them for their service to our country. Mayor Vicente Sarmiento, Mayor Pro Tem Phil Bacerra and Councilmember David Penaloza joined families of the...