Santa Barbara County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

The County's homestay model is built on host presence. Its definition reads: '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).' The FAQ makes the presence requirement explicit, stating the owner or long-term tenant 'must also be on the property at the same time as the homestay is occurring.' This distinguishes a homestay from a non-hosted short-term rental: in a homestay the host shares the lot with guests during their stay, which is what allows homestays in residential zones. A non-hosted short-term rental - where no host is present - is not a homestay and is only permitted in most commercial zones, not in residential neighborhoods. The on-site host is also the responsible party for noise, nuisance, parking, and occupancy compliance. The Coastal Zone is not currently regulated for homestays or short-term rentals. California state law contains no host-presence mandate for STRs; this is a County land-use requirement under the LUDC.