Lancaster vs Santa Monica
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Lancaster, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Lancaster has fewer restrictions than Santa Monica.
Lancaster, CA
Los Angeles County
Lancaster collects Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on stays under 30 days. Rate varies by city (typically 10 to 14%). Platforms auto-collect in many jurisdictions.
View full Lancaster rules →Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Santa Monica imposes a 17% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on home-sharing rentals, effective March 2023. Hosts must also obtain a business license (Tax Rate Group III: $75 base on first $60,000, plus 0.3% above). Airbnb pays the City $2 per night booked under a settlement agreement.
View full Santa Monica rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lancaster | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| TOT Rate | Varies (10 to 14% typical) | 17% of room charges |
| Platforms | Auto-collect in many cities | - |
| Filing | Monthly or quarterly | - |
| Topic | Taxes Fees | - |
| Business License | - | $75 base + 0.3% over $60K |
| Airbnb Fee | - | $2/night to City |
| Code | - | SMMC Ch. 6.20, Ch. 6.08 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lancaster FAQ
What tax do I owe on rentals?
Lancaster Transient Occupancy Tax applies to stays under 30 days. Check the city’s current rate.
Does Airbnb handle tax collection?
Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect TOT in many California cities. Verify with Lancaster finance department.
Santa Monica FAQ
What taxes do Santa Monica home-share hosts pay?
A 17% Transient Occupancy Tax on all room charges, plus a business license fee of $75 on the first $60,000 in gross receipts (0.3% on amounts above $60,000).
Does Airbnb collect TOT in Santa Monica?
Under the 2019 settlement, Airbnb pays the City $2 per night booked. Hosts should verify whether the full 17% TOT is being collected and remitted by their platform or if they need to file separately.
Compare other topics
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