Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara collected $3.45 million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for August 2023, the second month in the City’s fiscal year. The result came in 12.7% below the monthly budget, reflecting a decline both in demand (especially in mid-week business) and average daily rates, likely exacerbated by the Tropical Storm Hilary warning.

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 annual TOT budget for all funds is $33 million, of which $27.5 million is budgeted in the General Fund.

The Transient Occupancy Tax table can be viewed on the attachment. The City’s TOT tax rate is 12%, of which 10% goes to the City’s General Fund and the remaining 2% goes to the Creeks/Clean Water Fund.