Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara

Transient Occupancy Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara – March 31, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara collected $3.0 Million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for March 2026, the ninth month in the City’s fiscal year.

Year to date, the City has collected $27.5 Million in overall TOT, of which approximately $24.1 Million came from hotels and $3.4 Million from short-term rentals. Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 8.3% above budget.

The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a tax on "transient" guests staying in any hotel, inn, motel, or other commercial lodging establishment for a period of less than 30 days.

The City’s adopted TOT budget for all funds is $35.5 Million, of which $29.5 Million is budgeted in the General Fund.

View the Transient Occupancy Tax Table. The City’s TOT tax rate is 12.0%, of which 10.0% goes to the City’s General Fund and the remaining 2.0% goes to the Creeks/Clean Water Fund.

For additional current and historical financial data, visit the City’s Budget & Reporting webpage.