Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Housing Element Program HE-19
The 2023-2031 Housing Element, Housing Element Program HE-19, directs the City of Santa Barbara to develop a short-term rental (STR) ordinance to regulate the location and permitting of vacation rentals to incentivize long-term housing over transitory use. A key goal of the ordinance is to create a reliable permit path for STRs and establish operational standards so property owners, residents, and visitors know where STRs are allowed and how they can be licensed and operated.
Types of Short-Term Rentals. An STR is the rental of a whole residential unit, or portion thereof, for a period of 30 consecutive days or less and is considered residential use of property. These units are assumed to be non-hosted or rented as a vacant house.
A Homeshare is a short-term rental that is the primary residence of either the property owner or designated host that involves the rental of a portion of the residential unit for a period of 30 consecutive days or less, while the owner or host is physically present.