Tow-away enforcement started at Hot Springs Trailhead to enforce new parking rules for safety and fire prevention.

Tow-away enforcement has begun at the Hot Springs Trailhead in Montecito, Santa Barbara County, following new parking restrictions on East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road. The rules, approved by the Board of Supervisors and marked with new signage in August 2025, include no parking zones during Red Flag Warnings, overnight parking bans, and limits on oversized vehicles. A one-month grace period ended recently, and law enforcement is now actively towing violators. The changes aim to improve pedestrian safety, ensure emergency access, and reduce fire risks, aligning with the closure of the Hot Springs Trail Parking Lot. Officials urge compliance and provide a hotline for towed vehicle inquiries.