Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara collected $3,079,876 in transient occupancy taxes (TOT) for July 2021. TOT revenues in July 2021 were $1.9 million above July collections last year—which was significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and travel advisories.  Compared to July 2019, July 2021 revenues were higher by 29%; however, this is largely due to increased average daily rates, which are 35% higher than July 2019, with occupancy nearly even.

The local travel industry is now seeing increases in demand for rooms relative to recent months that is likely to continue throughout the summer months as the State has lifted travel advisories and as access to vaccinations has become more widely available.

July is the first month in the City’s fiscal year. The City’s adopted TOT budget is $19.5 million. 

The Transient Occupancy Tax table can be viewed here.