| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Proposed / pending |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — STRs must have a valid land-use permit (in permitted zones) and a Business Tax Certificate; most inland residential zones do not permit STRs at |
| Tax Rate | 12% of monthly gross rents (10% unrestricted + 2% Measure B Creek Restoration) |
| Minimum Stay | Two-night minimum |
Short-term rental regulations in Santa Barbara, California are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — STRs must have a valid land-use permit (in permitted zones) and a Business Tax Certificate; most inland residential zones do not permit STRs at all.
Short-term rental operators in Santa Barbara should be aware of these tax obligations: 12% of monthly gross rents (10% unrestricted + 2% Measure B Creek Restoration). Yes — all STR operators must register with the City Accounts Receivable office within 30 days of commencing operations and obtain a TOT registration n.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Santa Barbara include: Minimum stay: Two-night minimum.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Santa Barbara: Prohibited in all inland residential zones and high fire risk areas; allowed only in non-residential or mixed-use residential zones (downtown corridor, Milpas Street corridor, Upper State Street). Hom.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Short-term rental regulations in Santa Barbara are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. The Santa Barbara Ordinance Committee has forwarded a revised short-term vacation rental ordinance to the full City Council for a vote. Specific provisions of the revised ordinance were not detailed i
Yes. Santa Barbara requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — STRs must have a valid land-use permit (in permitted zones) and a Business Tax Certificate; most inland residential zones do not permit STRs at all.
Short-term rental hosts in Santa Barbara are subject to the following tax obligations: 12% of monthly gross rents (10% unrestricted + 2% Measure B Creek Restoration).
1) Ordinance Committee approved forwarding revised STR rules to the full City Council. 2) The City Council must vote before any new rules take effect. 3) Specific provisions (permit requirements, caps, etc.) not yet confirmed in available sources. 4) Hosts should watch for Council vote date and review the ordinance text.
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