Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Santa Barbara County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Santa Barbara County, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are restricted to specific Inland commercial zones, while Homestays are allowed in certain residential and AG-I zones; the Coastal Zone is currently unregulated. Requirements include compliance with safety codes (fire, building, health), occupancy limits, parking standards, noise regulations, and a nuisance response plan. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are restricted to specific Inland commercial zones, while Homestays are allowed in certain residential and AG-I zones; the Coastal Zone is currently unregulated. Requirements include compliance with safety codes (fire, building, health), occupancy limits, parking standards, noise regulations, and a nuisance response plan.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Santa Barbara County. 1. Use the County zoning map to confirm the property is in an eligible Inland zone. 2. Apply online via the Accela permit portal, submitting required documents such as proof of ownership and a nuisance response plan. 3. Ensure compliance with all safety codes (fire, building, health) as specified in the LUDC/MLUDC.

1. Use the County zoning map to confirm the property is in an eligible Inland zone. 2. Apply online via the Accela permit portal, submitting required documents such as proof of ownership and a nuisance response plan. 3. Ensure compliance with all safety codes (fire, building, health) as specified in the LUDC/MLUDC.

Vrbo is permitted in Santa Barbara County, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Santa Barbara County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Santa Barbara County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.