Short-term rental (Airbnb) rules in Santa Barbara, California
Not in a single-family neighborhood under current rules. Santa Barbara treats any rental of 30 days or less (under 30 days in the coastal zone) as a hotel use, which is prohibited in single-unit (RS) zones and allowed only in certain multifamily, commercial and coastal visitor zones. New STR and homeshare ordinances were introduced by the City Council on October 6, 2026 and are scheduled for final adoption on October 27, 2026, so these rules are about to change.
| What counts as an STR | Stays of 30 consecutive days or less inland; less than 30 days in the coastal zone [1] |
| Single-unit (RS) zones | Strictly prohibited [2] |
| Inland zones where allowed | R-MH, C-R, C-G, M-C (with all hotel permits) [3] |
| Homes with an ADU/JADU | No rentals under 31 consecutive days, for any unit on the lot [4] |
| Occasional/part-time STR permit | Not available; conversion is a permanent change of use [5] |
| Parking for a permitted STR | 1 space per bedroom (or the residential requirement, if greater) [6] |
| Taxes | Business tax certificate plus transient occupancy tax (TOT) [7] |
| Enforcement hotline | (805) 897-1934 (City Attorney) [8] |
STRs are a hotel use
The Community Development Department's July 2025 packet explains that a short-term rental meets the city's definition of Hotels and Similar Uses when lodging is offered for 30 consecutive days or less outside the coastal zone, or less than 30 days inside it. Converting a home to an STR is a change from residential to nonresidential use [1].
Where they're allowed
An STR is allowed only in zones that permit hotels, and STRs in single-unit zones are strictly prohibited [2]. Inland, the allowed zones are R-MH, C-R, C-G and M-C [3]; in the coastal zone they include R-4 and several commercial and visitor zones. Some multifamily and office zones (R-M, R-3, O-R, R-O) allow one only with a Conditional Use Permit on a Structure of Merit or City Landmark. The zoning use table likewise shows hotels as not allowed (–) in the RS zones [9].
ADUs and occasional rentals
If a property has an ADU or JADU, neither the main house nor the ADU/JADU may be rented for less than 31 consecutive days [4]. There's also no permit for occasional or part-time hosting: an STR is a permanent conversion to a nonresidential use [5].
If your property is in an allowed zone
A permitted STR needs one parking space per bedroom (or the residential requirement if greater) [6], a Zoning Clearance, possibly design review, a Coastal Development Permit in the coastal zone, and compliance with growth-management and tenant-displacement rules. Operators must hold a business tax certificate and collect transient occupancy tax [7].
Enforcement
The City Attorney's Short-Term Rental Enforcement Program takes complaints at (805) 897-1934 [8]. The packet says enforcement against unpermitted STRs in the coastal zone is limited to nuisance complaints when the property has no ADU or JADU, though tax requirements are still enforced.
Rules are about to change
This page reflects the city's July 2025 packet. On October 6, 2026 the City Council introduced new STR and homeshare ordinances (a licensing system, a two-night minimum stay, one license per owner citywide), with final adoption scheduled for October 27, 2026; the coastal (Title 28) version also needs California Coastal Commission certification. The draft licenses STRs and homeshares in zones listed in the use tables (generally hotel, commercial and multi-unit areas) and does not list them for the RS single-unit zone tables, but check the final adopted text at santabarbaraca.gov/STROD before relying on this page. The Coastal Commission has said STR bans in the coastal zone must go through the Local Coastal Program, so coastal rules may differ.
Next steps
- Look up your zone on the City's zoning map; if it's an RS single-unit zone, an STR isn't allowed.
- If you're in an allowed zone, request a Planner Consultation with the Planning Division (630 Garden St., 805-564-5578) and work through the STR Screening Checklist.
- Apply for a Zoning Clearance (and a Coastal Development Permit if in the coastal zone), then a business tax certificate and TOT/TBID registration within 30 days of starting.
- Check santabarbaraca.gov/STROD for the status of the new STR and home-share ordinances.
Common questions
- Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Barbara, California?
- Not in single-family neighborhoods under current rules. Santa Barbara treats rentals of 30 days or less (under 30 days in the coastal zone) as a hotel use, prohibited in single-unit (RS) zones and allowed only in certain multifamily, commercial and coastal visitor zones. New STR ordinances are scheduled for final adoption on October 27, 2026, so the rules are about to change.
- Can I Airbnb my house in Santa Barbara, California?
- Not if it's in an RS single-unit zone, where STRs are strictly prohibited. Inland, STRs are allowed only in the R-MH, C-R, C-G and M-C zones with all hotel permits. There's no occasional or part-time hosting permit; an STR is a permanent conversion to a nonresidential use.
- Can I rent my ADU short term in Santa Barbara, California?
- No. If a property has an ADU or JADU, neither the main house nor the ADU/JADU may be rented for less than 31 consecutive days.
- How do I get a short-term rental permit in Santa Barbara, California?
- Only properties in allowed zones qualify. A permitted STR needs a Zoning Clearance, possibly design review, a Coastal Development Permit in the coastal zone, one parking space per bedroom, a business tax certificate and transient occupancy tax collection. Check santabarbaraca.gov/STROD for the new ordinances first.
- What is changing in Santa Barbara, California's short-term rental ordinance?
- On October 6, 2026 the City Council introduced new STR and homeshare ordinances with a licensing system, a two-night minimum stay and one license per owner citywide, with final adoption scheduled for October 27, 2026. The draft doesn't list STRs for the RS single-unit zones, but check the final adopted text.
California state rules for short-term rentals
California has no statewide short-term rental license or registry. Your city or county decides whether and how you can rent on Airbnb or VRBO, including permits, caps, primary-residence rules and minimum stays.
Taxes: cities and counties may levy a transient occupancy tax (TOT) on stays of 30 days or less (Rev. & Tax. Code §7280). Rates and registration are local, and the county rate applies only in unincorporated areas.
New platform reporting law: since January 1, 2026, a city or county can adopt an ordinance requiring platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to report the address of each short-term rental (Gov. Code §50990 et seq., SB 346). Where a city has opted in, listings must also show the local license number and TOT certificate.
ADUs and SB 9 units: state law lets cities require that ADUs be rented for 30 days or longer. It requires that for by-right ADUs, junior ADUs and units built under SB 9 lot splits (see ADUs).
Coastal zone: in a December 2016 letter, the Coastal Commission said:
- STR rules in the coastal zone must be adopted through the city's Local Coastal Program or a coastal development permit, and bans adopted any other way are likely not enforceable there.
- The Commission has not historically supported blanket STR bans, finding they unduly limit public access to the coast.
- It has supported reasonable limits, such as caps on the number of rentals, occupancy limits, and limits on which housing types can be rented.
What the ordinance says
- STR Informational Packet, What is a short-term rental?, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) informational packet (July 2025), p. 1
Short-term rentals (STRs), also known as vacation rentals, meet the City of Santa Barbara’s definitions of Hotels and Similar Uses if overnight accommodation is offered for periods of 30 consecutive days or less outside the coastal zone and less than 30 consecutive days in the coastal zone.
- STR Informational Packet, Zones where hotels may be permitted, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) informational packet (July 2025), p. 1
An STR is not allowed if the location is not in one of these zones. STRs in single-unit zones are strictly prohibited.
- STR Informational Packet, Zones where hotels may be permitted, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) informational packet (July 2025), p. 1
Allowed Inland Zones: R-MH, C-R, C-G, and M-C
- STR Informational Packet, Properties with an ADU/JADU, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) informational packet (July 2025), p. 1
Properties with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) may not be rented for less than 31 consecutive days. This prohibition applies to the primary residential unit, accessory dwelling unit, and junior accessory dwelling unit.
- STR Informational Packet, Can I obtain a permit for an occasional STR?, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) informational packet (July 2025), p. 3
No, converting a residential unit to a short-term rental is a permanent change from residential to nonresidential use. The City’s Municipal Code does not recognize occasional short-term rentals.
- STR Informational Packet, Parking requirements, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) informational packet (July 2025), p. 2
Parking requirements for permitted STRs are the same as that for Hotels: one space per guestroom/sleeping unit, or the residential housing type, whichever is greater. In the case of STRs, each bedroom is considered a sleeping unit.
- STR Informational Packet, Business tax and TOT, Short-Term Rentals (STRs) informational packet (July 2025), p. 2
Yes, the City of Santa Barbara requires every short-term rental operator to collect and pay transient occupancy taxes (TOT).
- Short-Term Rental Enforcement Program, Short-Term Rental Enforcement Program (City Attorney), p. 1
If you would like to call in a complaint, please call our hotline at (805) 897-1934
- Table 30.20.020 Land Use Regulations–Residential Zones, Amendments to Title 30 (Inland Zoning Ordinance) - Single Family Streamlining, council adoption draft 04/14/26 showing changes from current code (posted as ADOPTED), p. 33
Hotels and Similar Uses – – CUP(10) A