Short-Term Rentals in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Santa Maria regulates short-term rentals. Operators must comply with city codes and collect transient occupancy tax. California state law shapes local STR regulation.
Santa Maria Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsNoise Rules
STR guests in Santa Maria must comply with the city's noise ordinance (Chapter 5-5) and Good Neighbor Rules (Chapter 4-7). Hosts are responsible for informing guests about noise standards.
Santa Maria STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Santa Maria requires STR operators to collect and remit the transient occupancy tax (TOT) on all stays under 30 days. The TOT rate is set by city ordinance.
Santa Maria STR Taxes & Fees
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
STR guests in Santa Maria must comply with city parking regulations. Hosts should provide parking information to guests and ensure adequate off-street parking is available.
Santa Maria STR Parking Requirements
Some RestrictionsCal. Vehicle Code Section 22651
parking violations to which the owner or person in control of the vehicle has not responded within 21 calendar days of notice of citation issuance or citation issuance or 14 calendar days of the mailing of a notice of delinquent parking violation to the agency responsible for processing notices of parking violations, or the registered owner of the vehicle is known to have been issued five or mo...
Occupancy Limits
The Santa Maria Municipal Code does not set a numeric occupancy cap specifically for short-term rentals. The city imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax under its TOT chapter on stays of 30 days or fewer, but no STR-specific code section establishes maximum overnight guests, daytime visitors, or persons-per-bedroom limits. Building Code occupant load and zoning standards provide the only effective ceilings.
short-term-rentals/occupancy-limits
Few RestrictionsCal. Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3
substandard building: (a) Inadequate sanitation shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Lack of, or improper water closet, lavatory, or bathtub or shower in a dwelling unit. (2) Lack of, or improper water closets, lavatories, and bathtubs or showers per number of guests in a hotel. (3) Lack of, or improper kitchen sink. (4) Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixture...
Insurance Requirements
The Santa Maria Municipal Code does not impose a minimum liability-insurance requirement on short-term rental operators. The city has no STR-specific permit chapter that would attach a certificate-of-insurance condition. Standard homeowner or landlord coverage, plus any platform host-protection program, is left to the host's own arrangement.
short-term-rentals/insurance-requirements
Few RestrictionsLooking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Santa Barbara County →