Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Barbara?

**No**, short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in inland residential zones within Santa Barbara. You need to be located in a commercial zone or the Coastal Zone to legally operate a short-term rental. Always verify your property's zoning designation with the city planning department before hosting. (52 words)

Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Santa Barbara?

**Yes**, a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) and a business license are required to legally host short-term rentals in Santa Barbara. You need to apply for these permits if your property is located in a commercial zone or the Coastal Zone. Operating without the CDP can result in penalties. (50 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Santa Barbara?

**12% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Santa Barbara. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city government on a monthly basis. It is important to maintain accurate records of all collections. (47 words)

How much does a business license cost in Santa Barbara?

**$50** is the fee for a business license in Santa Barbara. You need to obtain this license in addition to a Coastal Development Permit if you plan to operate a short-term rental in commercial zones or the Coastal Zone. Ensure you renew your license annually to maintain compliance. (51 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Santa Barbara?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Santa Barbara. Only property owners who have obtained the necessary permits and licenses can legally operate a short-term rental. Renters engaging in unauthorized hosting may face eviction or other legal consequences. (51 words)

Santa Barbara

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

CaliforniaLast updated: February 10, 2026

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

5 Official Sources

Summary

Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in all inland residential zones in the City of Santa Barbara. They are only permitted in commercial zones or within the Coastal Zone, provided the host obtains a Coastal Development Permit and a business license.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Banned in all/most residential zones
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Santa Barbara, you first need to check if you are in the 'Coastal Zone.' If you are inland and in a residential neighborhood, hosting for less than 30 days is illegal and the City will fine you. If you are in a commercial zone or the Coastal Zone, you must get a special permit (CDP) and a business license, then pay 12% tax to the City every month.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$50

Processing Time

Varies; CDP process can take months

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.STRs are PROHIBITED in inland residential zones; only 'hotels' or 'motels' are allowed.
2.The Coastal Zone boundary is very specific—verify your address on the official map.
3.Airbnb does NOT collect or pay the 12% TOT for you in Santa Barbara; you must file monthly yourself.
4.The City uses an enforcement task force to find and shut down illegal residential STRs.
5.ADUs (Granny Flats) can NEVER be used as short-term rentals in Santa Barbara.
6.Operating without a permit can lead to fines of thousands of dollars per day.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•Santa Barbara does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Santa Barbara: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Santa Barbara: The City treats STRs as hotels; you cannot simply 'register' without formal commercial land-use approval.

Requirements(19)

•Santa Barbara STR warning: STRs are BANNED in all single-family and two-family residential zones (R-1, R-2).
•Santa Barbara requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Commercial liability insurance typically required for nonresidential use
•Santa Barbara: STRs are BANNED in all single-family and two-family residential zones (R-1, R-2).

Application Process(8)

•Santa Barbara STR permit - Step 4: Business Tax Certificate and TOT Registration. Once land use is approved, register for a Business Tax Certificate and obtain a TOT Registration Number. Required documents: Business Tax Application, TOT Registration Form. Time: 2 weeks.

Taxes(3)

•Santa Barbara: Airbnb and VRBO DO NOT remit taxes for you; you must file a monthly TOT return and pay 12% to the city manually.
•Santa Barbara charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 12%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: City explicitly states operators are responsible for monthly remittance to the Finance Department.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Santa Barbara enforces quiet hours: Subject to general city noise ordinance.
•Santa Barbara limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Santa Barbara occupancy calculation: Limited by building and fire code capacity for commercial use. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Santa Barbara requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Compliance with commercial fire and building safety standards for hotel-like use, Separate water meter may be required.

Penalties(4)

•Santa Barbara: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Santa Barbara: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
•Santa Barbara: Enforcement is extremely active, with potential fines reaching thousands of dollars per day for unpermitted units.

Exemptions(2)

•Santa Barbara: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Santa Barbara exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

California

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Santa Barbara

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(19)

Application Process(8)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

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Santa Barbara

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Barbara?

2Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Santa Barbara?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Santa Barbara?

4How much does a business license cost in Santa Barbara?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Santa Barbara?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake