Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara

Transient Occupancy Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara – Month Ended February 28, 2022

The City of Santa Barbara collected $1.9 million in transient occupancy taxes (TOT) for February 2022. TOT revenues in February 2022 were about $994,000 above February collections last year—which was significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and travel advisories.  Compared to February 2020, revenues were higher by 27%; however, this is largely due to increased average daily rates, which are 32% higher than February 2020.

The local travel industry has seen a steady improvement in demand for rooms throughout the fall and winter as the State has lifted travel advisories and loosened Covid-related restrictions. As of February, the industry has not seen a significant negative impact from the Omicron variant of the virus and occupancy levels are showing signs of stabilizing around pre-pandemic levels.  The City has collected $20 million through February, the eighth month in the City’s fiscal year. The City’s adopted TOT budget for all funds is $23.4 million, of which $19.5 million is budgeted in the General Fund. 

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