Santa Maria, CA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Unlike neighboring Santa Barbara County's unincorporated-area STR ordinance, the City of Santa Maria does not publish a stand-alone short-term rental chapter in its municipal code. Instead, STR operators must comply with two existing chapters of the SMMC. First, SMMC Section 4-1.04 (License Required) makes it 'unlawful for any person to commence, transact, engage in or carry on any business in the City without first having procured a license from the City so to do, or without complying with any and all applicable regulations of this title and other related or relevant laws.' Renting a residence to transients is treated as a business and triggers this requirement; applications are processed by the City Finance Department. Second, SMMC Chapter 3-9 (Transient Occupancy Tax) requires every operator of any hotel - defined broadly to include any structure or portion thereof that is occupied or intended for occupancy by transients - to register the property with the Tax Administrator and obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate that must be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. Operators must register within 30 days of commencing business. Underlying zoning compliance is also required: in R-1 single-family residential districts (SMMC Title 12), lodges and clubs (and similar transient-lodging uses) require a conditional use permit, and any STR operation must remain compatible with the underlying residential use. STR operators should confirm with the Santa Maria Planning Division before listing, as listings inconsistent with the residential zone could be treated as an unpermitted change of use.