Skip to content
Taxes›California›Santa Barbara County›Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara
short-term rental taxes.

Data date: Jun 2026

Start with the recorded local taxes and permit overview for Santa Barbara, California. Check the current requirements for your exact address.

Rental conditions are recorded in Santa Barbara
Treated as hotels : banned in residential zones.
Find published guidance for your Santa Barbara address
Check published permit and tax guidance for Santa Barbara.

What you need to do in Santa Barbara

From the linked source
  1. To do
    Meet the local rental conditions

    Treated as hotels : banned in residential zones.

  2. To confirm
    Check whether you need a license or permit

    The record does not say whether Santa Barbara requires a short-term rental license. Ask the city or county licensing office.

    Where to apply

  3. To do
    Collect and remit the 12% Santa Barbara occupancy tax yourself

    The record says booking platforms do not collect it, so you add it to every booking, platform and direct, and pay it to the authority.

  4. To do
    File monthly returns

    The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

Get a reminder before each monthly Santa Barbara return is due

Save your rental and its filing dates for free. Starter and Pro email you before each saved date, and when a published rule change for Santa Barbara affects your rental.

Create a free account

What to know.

Treated as hotels : banned in residential zones. The published guide for Santa Barbara lists 12% local occupancy tax. License or registration details are not available.

At a glance.

Local tax
12%
State tax
Local only
License
Not available
Local filing
You collect and remit
SourceSources & confidenceHow we researchReport a problem with this page

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

Santa Barbara: Recorded effective date

2001-01-01

Santa Barbara: Recorded remittance instructions

City Finance

Santa Barbara: Recorded filing schedule

Filing frequency: Monthly.

Source for these notes: santabarbaraca.gov: transient occupancy tax

Platform tax collection guidance for Santa Barbara

Collection is shown separately for each booking channel. Direct-booking taxes are paid by the host.

PlatformStateLocal
AirbnbNoneYou collect and remit
VrboNoneYou collect and remit
Booking.comNoneYou collect and remit
DirectNoneYou collect and remit

Platform collects means the platform pays that tax. You collect and remit means you pay it. Collection details unavailable identifies a missing answer for that channel. Filing duties are listed separately.

Your next steps

  • Find permit information

    Permit requirements are not available in this guide. The linked authority provides application information.

  • Collection of the 12% local tax

    You collect and remit this tax using the linked filing instructions.

  • File your tax returns

    File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus
Santa Barbara occupancy tax12%
Source
Source linked
California local lodging tax guidanceLocally administered
Source
Source linked
Licensing recordNot available
Source
Source linked
Official sources for the taxes and permit requirements shown above.

Santa Barbara STR tax FAQ

Does Airbnb pay my Santa Barbara occupancy taxes?

You collect and remit this tax for Airbnb and direct bookings.

Do I need a license to Airbnb in Santa Barbara?

The licensing requirement for Santa Barbara is not available. Check state and local license or registration rules before listing.

What happens if I don't file?

Penalties and interest depend on the tax and authority. Check the applicable rules and contact the authority about any missed filings or payments.

How often do I file?

File monthly returns. The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it.