Santa Barbara City Council Approves New Restrictions on Short-Term Vacation Rentals
The Santa Barbara City Council has approved an ordinance that prohibits short-term vacation rentals in most inland residential zones and high-fire-risk areas, while heavily restricting them in coastal zones.
Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo, CA, October 7, 2026 — The Santa Barbara City Council has passed a new ordinance aimed at regulating short-term vacation rentals (STRs) within the city. The approved measure implements significant changes to where and how these properties can be operated.
Under the new ordinance, short-term vacation rentals will be prohibited in most inland residential zones. This category encompasses a broad swathe of the city’s residential areas not situated along the coast. Furthermore, STRs are also explicitly prohibited in areas identified as having a high risk of wildfire.
The ordinance also introduces substantial restrictions for short-term vacation rentals located within the city’s coastal zones. While the specific details of these restrictions were not provided in the summary, the language indicates a significant limitation on their operation in these desirable areas.
The council’s decision reflects a growing effort by municipalities across the country to address the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability, neighborhood character, and public safety. The Santa Barbara measure appears to prioritize residential living and fire safety in its zoning decisions. The full scope of restrictions in coastal zones and the timeline for implementation of the ordinance were not detailed in the summary provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Rebecca Caraway, Noozhawk Staff Writer on www.noozhawk.com, see more information here.
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