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

Permit Requirements

In unincorporated Santa Barbara County, whether a short-term rental (STR) or homestay is allowed depends on a parcel's zoning under the Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) Chapter 35, and whether the parcel is in the Inland or Coastal Zone. STRs (whole-house rentals where the owner is not present, less than 30 days) are permitted in most commercial zones; 'homestays' (rental of one or more rooms in an owner-occupied primary residence) are permitted in most residential zones; both require a Land Use Permit from Planning and Development. Operators must also obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate from the County Treasurer-Tax Collector within 30 days of starting business and collect the 14 percent County Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Within the Coastal Zone, STRs and homestays are currently administered separately under the Coastal Zoning Ordinance pending Coastal Commission certification of comprehensive rules. ADUs and JADUs cannot be used as STRs (30-day minimum rental term applies).