Hotels & Lodging in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)

1 rule for unincorporated Santa Cruz County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Transient Occupancy Tax

Guests at a hotel, motel, inn or similar commercial lodging facility in unincorporated Santa Cruz County pay a 12% transient occupancy tax on rent under SCCC § 4.24.030, collected by the operator and remitted to the County's Tax Administrator.

Santa Cruz County Hotel Occupancy Tax Rate

Some Restrictions

Santa Cruz County Code § 4.24.030 (Imposition—Amount)

For the privilege of occupancy in any transient occupancy facility that is a hotel, motel, inn, or similar commercial lodging facility, such transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of 12 percent of the rent charged. ... The transient shall pay the tax to the operator of the transient occupancy facility at the time the rent is paid. If the rent is paid in installments, a propor...

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