SANTA BARBARA, CA – October 29, 2026
Transient Occupancy Tax Results for the City of Santa Barbara – September 30, 2026
The City of Santa Barbara collected $3.9 Million in Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for September 2026, the third month in the City’s fiscal year.
Year to date, the City has collected $13.2 Million in overall TOT, of which approximately $11.7 Million came from hotels and $1.5 Million from short-term rentals. Year to date, total TOT revenues are coming in 8.4% above 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 $37.2 Million, of which $31.0 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.