Market overview
Allowed, with material limits. Allowed only in certain zones.
On October 27, 2026 the Santa Barbara City Council adopted two ordinances that create a Short-Term Rental/Homeshare License for any rental of 30 consecutive days or less.
Property eligibility: Not assessed A market overview can't tell whether a specific home qualifies (zoning, permits, HOA).
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Stays of 30 nights or more fall outside the short-term rental rules here and are let as ordinary rentals.
Guests staying this long can gain tenant rights, such as protection from eviction.
Not legal advice. The legal framework, notes and sources are in the full report.
Proposals and rules that are not in force yet. They don’t change Santa Barbara’s status above until they take effect.
17 rules on record for Santa Barbara, 16 of them from government sources. Every rule traced to its official source. How we research
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Source: santabarbaraca.gov (official), checked 5 Nov 2026. Official links, citations and how to apply come with a paid plan.
Yes, with material limits. On October 27, 2026 the Santa Barbara City Council adopted two ordinances that create a Short-Term Rental/Homeshare License for any rental of 30 consecutive days or less.
14% in total on stays, on our records.
No night cap is on record.
Fines of up to $1,500 are on record.
Stays of 30 nights or more fall outside the short-term rental rules here and are let as ordinary rentals. Guests staying this long can gain tenant rights, such as protection from eviction.
We last checked the short-term rental rules for Santa Barbara on 5 Nov 2026.
LawfulStay tracks short-term rental rules for 5,120+ places, with every rule traced to its official source.
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