Short-Term Rentals in Santa Barbara County, CA (2026)

7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Barbara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

In unincorporated inland Santa Barbara County a short-term rental or homestay permit is required before advertising or renting for 30 days or less. The Coastal Zone is currently unregulated, but Transient Occupancy Tax still applies countywide.

Santa Barbara County Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, Homestays Frequently Asked Questions

It is illegal to advertise and/or rent property in the Inland Area of the County on a short-term basis (30 consecutive days or less) without first having obtained a short-term rental or homestay permit.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Homestays in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must comply with LUDC standards that include noise and nuisance-response requirements. The County's Homestays FAQ lists noise and nuisance among the development standards homestays must meet, alongside the County's general noise rules.

Santa Barbara County Homestay Noise and Nuisance Standards

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, Homestays Frequently Asked Questions

The LUDC includes standards for ownership, compliance with safety codes (fire, building, health), prohibited structures, signs, occupancy, parking, number of visitors, noise, internet listing, proof of ownership or long-term tenancy, and nuisance responses.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Every short-term rental operating as a permitted Homestay in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must hold a Transient Occupancy Tax license and stay current on TOT reports and payments as a condition of its Land Use Permit. County Code Sec. 35.42.193.D.12 ties TOT compliance to the permit itself, so falling behind risks revocation under Sec. 35.42.193.F.2.d.

Homestay Transient Occupancy Tax Duty

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County LUDC Sec. 35.42.193.D.12, F.2.d

12.Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). The owner/applicant shall maintain a TOT license and remain current on all required TOT reports and payments. ... d.Fails to obtain or comply with any other required County, state or local permit.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Homestays in unincorporated Santa Barbara County must provide parking on the lot in compliance with County Parking and Loading Standards (LUDC Chapter 35.36). Generally two spaces are required for one- and two-family dwellings, and on-street parking cannot satisfy the requirement.

Santa Barbara County Homestay Parking Requirements

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, Homestays Frequently Asked Questions

Parking is required on the lot on which the homestay is located in compliance with County Parking and Loading Standards (LUDC Chapter 35.36). Generally, two parking spaces are required for one-family and two-family dwelling in residential zones. On-street parking cannot be used to satisfy parking requirements.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

A homestay in unincorporated Santa Barbara County may use up to three bedrooms of a legal dwelling, and occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom (up to six total), not counting minor children. No rooms other than the approved bedrooms may be used for sleeping.

Santa Barbara County Homestay Occupancy Limits

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, Homestays Frequently Asked Questions (LUDC Sec. 35.42.193)

A homestay is allowed up to three bedrooms of each legal dwelling unit (residence) subject to County approval. No other rooms may be used for sleeping as part of the homestay. ... Two persons per bedroom (up to six), not including minor children, can occupy a homestay.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

A Santa Barbara County homestay requires the host - the owner or long-term tenant - to be on the property at the same time the guests are staying. Hosting is defined by simultaneous on-site presence of the host and the transient occupants on the same lot.

Santa Barbara County Homestay Host-Presence Rule

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, Homestays Frequently Asked Questions

A homestay is the use of a residential structure rented for 30 consecutive days or less for a transient occupant while the owner or long-term tenant of the property lives in a legal dwelling on the same lot at the same time as the transient occupant(s).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

In unincorporated inland Santa Barbara County, residential-zone short-term rentals must be homestays - the owner or a long-term tenant (six months or more) must live on the property long-term and be present during guest stays. Non-hosted, investor-only STRs are limited to commercial zones.

Santa Barbara County Homestay Owner-Occupancy Requirement

Some Restrictions

Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, Homestays Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Either the property owner or a long-term tenant must live on the property long-term. They must also be on the property at the same time as the homestay is occurring. Proof that the property owner or long term tenant lives on the property is required. A long term tenant or owner is described as a person who occupies the property as the owner of the property, or who rents the property for si...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Santa Barbara County

1 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Santa MariaPop. 112,076

3 verified rules • Occupancy Limits, Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

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