Santa Maria, California Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Santa Maria Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating6.2
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Competition
7.7 -
Real Estate Cost
3.8 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
6.6 -
Rental Rates
6.8
Santa Maria, 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
- 107,445
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Santa Barbara
- Airports
- Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Want to learn more about Santa Maria?
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 Maria rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Santa Maria rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Santa Maria.
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 Maria guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California short term rental regulations directory
What makes Santa Maria a great place to invest?
- Santa Maria, California is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, with a variety of museums and historical sites that offer visitors a glimpse into the city's past. For example, the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society & Museum showcases the city's history through exhibits and artifacts, including a restored Victorian home and a collection of vintage automobiles.
- The city is also home to a thriving arts and culture scene, with a variety of galleries, theaters, and performance spaces that offer a range of live performances, concerts, and events throughout the year.
- For outdoor enthusiasts, Santa Maria is surrounded by a variety of natural wonders, including the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, a stunning coastal landscape that is home to a diverse array of wildlife and vegetation, as well as miles of pristine beaches.
- Visitors will also find plenty of great dining and shopping options in Santa Maria, with a variety of local restaurants and boutiques that offer a taste of the region's diverse cuisine and unique gifts and souvenirs.
- Santa Maria is also home to a thriving sports scene, with a variety of community parks and sports complexes that offer a wide range of athletic facilities and programs, including soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and basketball courts.
Santa Maria Nearby Cities
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22 miles away
- Rating: 6.1
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31 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Santa Maria?
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 Maria has increased 2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $470, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$775,638
2% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$470
2% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,735
-1% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Santa Maria, California
Common terms for Santa Maria 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 Maria has a description approximately 1,628 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 504 listings in Santa Maria, 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 Beach, Patio, Family, Arroyo Grande, Outdoor, Central Coast, Pismo Beach, Quiet, Perfect, and Beautiful.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Santa Maria?
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 Maria involve Hiking, the Beach, Winery Tours, Surfing, and Outlet Shopping. 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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Beach
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Winery Tours
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Surfing
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Outlet Shopping
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Adventure Activities
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Cycling
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Horseback Riding
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Antiquing
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Whale Watching
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Kayaking
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Swimming
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Santa Maria, including Pismo Beach Pier, Avila Hot Springs, Monarch Butterfly Grove, Monarch Butterfly Grove, and Edna Valley Vineyard. 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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Pismo Beach Pier
Included on 62% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Monarch Butterfly Grove
Included on 62% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Included on 62% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Pismo State Beach
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Avila Hot Springs
Included on 52% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
Included on 46% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Avila Beach Golf Resort
Included on 43% of listings
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Local Landmark
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The Spa at Dolphin Bay
Included on 42% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Monarch Butterfly Grove
Included on 22% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Edna Valley Vineyard
Included on 22% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
Included on 22% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Pismo Beach Golf Course
Included on 22% of listings
What’s the weather like in Santa Maria, California?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 70°, while the average low is about 48°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 13 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 Maria 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
42° Low 64° High
Spring
March through May
47° Low 68° High
Summer
June through August
54° Low 74° High
Fall
September through November
50° Low 73° High
Cities Near Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California, is located in Santa Barbara County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
