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 has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance, so STR operators are regulated through generally applicable rules: a City of Santa Maria business license under Santa Maria Municipal Code (SMMC) Chapter 4-1 and a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate under SMMC Chapter 3-9 are required before renting any dwelling to transients (stays of 30 consecutive days or fewer).
No STR-specific permit; business license & TOT certificate required
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Section 4-1.04 (License Required)
It is unlawful for any person to commence, transact, engage in or carry on any business in the City without first having procured a license from the City so to do, or without complying with any and all applicable regulations of this title and other related or relevant laws.
Noise 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 overnight-guest or persons-per-bedroom limit specifically for short-term rentals. Practical limits come from California Building Code occupant-load calculations adopted by SMMC Chapter 9-04, the 30-day cap that defines 'transient' status in SMMC Chapter 3-9, and the Good Neighbor Rules in SMMC Chapter 4-7.
No STR-specific cap; California Building Code & 30-day rule apply
Few RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Chapter 4-7 (Good Neighbor Rules), Section 4-7.03
The requirements of this Chapter include... limiting attendance and control of behavior of attendees so that the program, event, or activity complies at all times with the limitations on occupancy specified in Title 9 of this Code and any Code adopted by reference in Title 9; limiting attendance and control of behavior of attendees so that the program, event, or activity complies at all times w...
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 →