Starlight Circle

No. The annual neighborhood-coordinated light display in the Starlight Circle neighborhood in Santee is not a city-sponsored nor a city-sanctioned event. The City has no role in coordinating or planning this resident-led event. The decision to do or not to do these displays is entirely upon each of the homeowners and the City is not in any way involved in that decision-making process. The City has no role in coordinating or planning the displays, including the dates and times the lights are turned on or off. The City Manager may issue regulations and orders regarding a community event, as needed, should the event impact safety or City functions.

No, the City cannot shut down the holiday light display or prevent it from occurring. The City of Santee does not have the authority to prohibit homeowners from decorating their private property during the holiday season. The City cannot “cancel” the displays in the Starlight Circle neighborhood as the nature of the event is such that each individual homeowner chooses to decorate or not, chooses the scope of their decorations, and the days and times they turn the lights on.

The City has no authority to regulate the holiday light display hours and days, as it is a private activity.

Yes, this is free. Do not pay to view the light displays.

Yes, the City of Santee has provided porta-potties for attendees to use, located in the Santana High School parking lot. Restrooms will be locked during the weekdays and unlocked Friday-Sunday.

Please submit a service request online or via the MySanteeApp (available on Apple or Android) 8am – 5pm during the week so the City can properly track and address all concerns as needed. If the situation is threatening your safety or the safety of others, please call 9-1-1. Non-emergency concerns should call the Non-emergency Sheriff dispatch – (858) 868-3200, issues will be addressed based on availability and by the level of urgency.

With a valid Santee Business License, properly displayed and visible, Residents may sell food or other items from their home. Business Licenses issued under Santee Municipal Code Chapter 4.02 and any other permit that may apply to the types of goods sold. For example, if you are selling baked goods produced in your kitchen and/or repackaging food items produced outside of your kitchen, a Cottage Food Permit from the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality is likely required. Specifications and regulations for County required permits can be found on the County’s Cottage Food Operations webpage. Related questions should be directed to the County. The City does not issue this permit.

The City’s authority to regulate sidewalk vendors is established by state law. A “Sidewalk vendor” is defined by the state and city law to mean “a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack or other non-motorized conveyance from one’s on person, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path.” (Gov. Code § 51036(a); SMC §4.23.020). Laws that apply to all sidewalk vendors include:

1. All sidewalk vendors must hold and display a valid Santee Business License;
2. No sidewalk vendor may obstruct the flow of pedestrian traffic, cause pedestrians into the street, or cause vehicles to veer from the ordinary course of travel.
3. No stationary sidewalk vendor may vend in any area zoned exclusively residential.

Yes. The City has the ability to issue citations to unlicensed sidewalk vendors, vendors obstructing or interfering with the flow of traffic, vendors who do not display a valid license or other required certificate, and to a stationary vendor set up in any area zoned exclusively residential. Starlight Circle is a residential zone.

Questions or concerns about sidewalk vendors should be reported to City Code Enforcement between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday by submitting an online service request or through the MySanteeApp (available on Apple or Android). However, if a vendor is creating or contributing to a safety issue, please call 9-1-1 or non-emergency dispatch (858) 868-3200 at your earliest opportunity.

You may park your vehicle and walk through Starlight Circle rather than driving through the neighborhood, should you choose to. There are temporary “No Parking” signs placed on Tomel Ct. No parking will be allowed where these signs are posted. This is for safety reasons, to ensure that emergency vehicles may access the neighborhood, if needed.

Visitors are encouraged to park at Santana High School and walk up to Starlight Circle to reduce impacts on the neighborhood. Visitors’ cooperation in complying with all posted traffic signs and traffic laws is greatly appreciated.

You may drive your street legal vehicle through the public streets that run through the Starlight Circle neighborhood to view the lights, should you choose to.

No, City streets are available for parking on a first-come first-served basis. Blocking the street to prevent vehicles from parking is not allowed.

Temporary “No Parking” signs are placed at the entrance to Tomel Ct. to ensure access for emergency or service vehicles.

Additional trash bins and coordinated additional sanitation pick-ups have been scheduled.

An illuminated light board to assist with traffic control and inform visitors of parking restrictions on Magnolia Ave.

A partnership with Santana High School for additional parking and space for porta-potties has been renewed for the 2025 holiday season.