Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara 

Press releases are posted on Independent.com as a free community service.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – September 24, 2024 

Transient Occupancy Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara – Month Ended August 31, 2024 

The City of Santa Barbara collected $4.1 Million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for August 2024, the second month in the City’s fiscal year.  

Year to date, the City has collected $8.1 Million in overall TOT, of which approximately $7.2 Million came from hotels and $900,000 from short-term rentals. Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 1.2% below budget. 

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 adopted TOT budget for all funds is $34.5 Million, of which $28.7 Million is budgeted in the General Fund. 

View the Transient Occupancy Tax Table. The City’s TOT tax rate is 12.0%, of which 10.0% goes to the City’s General Fund and the remaining 2.0% goes to the Creeks/Clean Water Fund. 

For additional current and historical financial data, visit the City’s Budget & Reporting webpage.