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  1. Home
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  5. California
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  7. Lompoc

Lompoc

Moderate
California · City of LompocUpdated Mar 13, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 5, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Lompoc are regulated as commercial lodging businesses requiring a Business Tax Certificate and a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate.

Restriction level

Severity 8
Classification
Moderate
8
Severity

Why this classification

  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Lompoc, you must register for a Business Tax Certificate and a separate Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate with the city. You are required to collect and remit a combined 13% in taxes (11% TOT plus a 2% tourism assessment) on all stays of 30 days or less. While the city does not have a dedicated STR ordinance like neighboring coastal towns, all operators must comply with standard business and safety codes.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$30

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Combined tax rate is 13%, including the 2% Visit Lompoc TBID assessment.
  2. 2The 1% additional TOT approved via Measure X (2022) is dedicated to public safety.
  3. 3Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in ADUs/JADUs in accordance with state laws.
  4. 4TOT reports and payments must be submitted to the city on a monthly basis.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility4 rules
  • Lompoc does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
  • Lompoc prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs built after 2020.
  • Lompoc allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Apartment, Tourist home.
  • Lompoc allows STRs in the following zones: C-1, C-2, MU, Commercial zones, Mixed-Use zones.
Requirements7 rules
  • Lompoc STR warning: The 1% additional TOT approved via Measure X (2022) is dedicated to public safety.
  • Lompoc STR warning: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in ADUs/JADUs in accordance with state laws.
  • Lompoc does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.
Application process5 rules
  • How to set up an STR in Lompoc: To host a short-term rental in Lompoc, you must register for a Business Tax Certificate and a separate Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate with the city. You are required to collect and remit a combined 13% in taxes (11% TOT plus a 2% tourism assessment) on all stays of 30 days or less. While the city does not have a dedicated STR ordinance like neighboring coastal towns, all operators must comply with standard business and safety codes.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Lompoc charges a registration fee of $30 (annual).
Taxes2 rules
  • Lompoc charges a tourism tax of 0.02%.
  • Lompoc charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.11%.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Lompoc requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, parking, noise restrictions (Standard municipal noise ordinance applies).
Penalties1 rule
  • Lompoc enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: 10% of tax due. Subsequent violations: Additional 10% penalty plus interest.
Exemptions1 rule
  • Lompoc exempts the following from STR regulations: hotels and motels, long-term stays (30+ days), Stays exceeding 30 consecutive days.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Lompoc

0/3
steps completed
Step 1

Apply for Business Tax Certificate

Register the rental as a business with the City of Lompoc Finance Department. The fee is based on estimated annual gross receipts, starting at $30 for receipts under $25,000.

1-2 weeks$30
Documents needed
  • Federal Tax ID or SSN
  • Property address
  • Estimated gross receipts
Official resource
Step 2

Obtain Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate

Within 30 days of commencing business, operators must register with the Tax Administrator to collect and remit TOT.

1-2 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Business Tax Certificate number
  • Operator contact information
Official resource
Step 3

Schedule Building Inspection

New business locations must be inspected by the City's Building & Safety Division to confirm compliance with local codes.

1-3 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Proof of BTC application
Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

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