Santa Barbara, California Short Term Rental Regulations
Navigate short-term rental regulations with ease! From coastal retreats to urban hubs, our in-depth guides break down the essentials for cities across the nation. Stay informed of changes to local Airbnb rules with our up-to-date insights and best practices.
Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Santa Barbara Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating5.6
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Competition
5.9 -
Real Estate Cost
2.2 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
4.4 -
Rental Rates
9.7
Santa Barbara, California Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 88,665
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Santa Barbara
- Airports
- Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Want to learn more about Santa Barbara?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Santa Barbara rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Santa Barbara rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Santa Barbara.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Santa Barbara guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California short term rental regulations directory
What makes Santa Barbara a great place to invest?
- Santa Barbara, California is a coastal paradise, offering stunning beaches, world-class surf, and an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. From sun-drenched stretches of sand to secluded coves, visitors can find their own slice of paradise in this picturesque city.
- Beyond the beaches, Santa Barbara is also home to a vibrant cultural scene, with a variety of museums, galleries, and theaters that showcase the best of the city's rich artistic heritage. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is a standout, featuring an impressive collection of works by some of the world's most celebrated artists.
- Foodies will find plenty to love in Santa Barbara, with a thriving culinary scene that celebrates local and sustainable ingredients. From farm-to-table restaurants to seaside cafes, visitors can sample the best of what the city has to offer, from fresh seafood to locally-sourced produce.
- Santa Barbara is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with a variety of natural parks and recreation areas that offer something for everyone. From the rugged Santa Ynez Mountains to the rolling hills of the wine country, visitors can explore the stunning natural beauty of this region.
- The city is also home to the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara, a Spanish-style church that dates back to 1786. Visitors can explore the mission's beautiful gardens, chapels, and museum, and learn about the history of this fascinating and important piece of California's cultural heritage.
- And for sports fans, Santa Barbara is home to a variety of professional and amateur teams, including the Santa Barbara Foresters baseball team and the Santa Barbara Warriors football team. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for a fun afternoon out, there's always a game to be enjoyed in this dynamic and sports-loving city.
- Finally, Santa Barbara is an ideal destination for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway, with a variety of spas, resorts, and hotels that offer everything from luxury spa treatments to outdoor yoga and meditation classes. Whether you're seeking rest and relaxation or adventure and excitement, Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone.
Santa Barbara Nearby Cities
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25 miles away
- Rating: 6.1
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29 miles away
- Rating: 7.1
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Santa Barbara?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Santa Barbara has decreased -10% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $1,143, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,712,177
-10% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$1,143
0% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$4,275
4% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Santa Barbara
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Santa Barbara, California
Common terms for Santa Barbara short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Santa Barbara has a description approximately 1,894 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 1,193 listings in Santa Barbara, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Santa Barbara, Beach, Block, Patio, Outdoor, Beautiful, Downtown, Quiet, Perfect, and Comfortable.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Santa Barbara?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Santa Barbara involve Hiking, Winery Tours, Whale Watching, Museums, and the Zoo. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Winery Tours
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Whale Watching
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Museums
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Zoo
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Surfing
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Boating
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Swimming
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Sailing
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Marina
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Adventure Activities
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Cycling
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Santa Barbara, including Santa Barbara Zoo, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Harbor, Upper State Street, and Stearns Wharf. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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University of California, Santa Barbara
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Santa Barbara Harbor
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Upper State Street
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Stearns Wharf
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Mission Santa Barbara
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Santa Barbara City College
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Goleta Beach
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Leadbetter Beach
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Santa Barbara Zoo
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Butterfly Beach
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Arlington Theater
Included on 92% of listings
What’s the weather like in Santa Barbara, California?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 70°, while the average low is about 51°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 14 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Santa Barbara are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
44° Low 64° High
Spring
March through May
50° Low 68° High
Summer
June through August
58° Low 75° High
Fall
September through November
53° Low 73° High
Cities Near Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, is located in Santa Barbara County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
