🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara’s STR Ordinance Moves Forward Amid Unease

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Santa Barbara’s Planning Commission voted 4–2 to advance a controversial short-term rental ordinance to the City Council, despite unresolved issues and visible discomfort among commissioners.

The ordinance, nearly a decade in the making, aims to regulate homes and units rented for fewer than 30 days, including Airbnb-style listings and home shares. It specifies where STRs are allowed and imposes requirements to minimize neighborhood impacts.

But Thursday’s three-hour hearing revealed lingering concerns. “It was obvious during deliberations that none of the commissioners were comfortable with the ordinance as presented,” said consultant Jarrett Gorin. “They forwarded it after being pressured by the city attorney.”

Chair Lucille Boss proposed moving the measure forward with unresolved issues, including parking requirements, transient occupancy tax enforcement, preventing oversaturation, and bringing unpermitted rentals into compliance.

Commissioners Leslie Wiscomb and Devon Wardlow voiced unease even as they voted yes. “We need more work done,” Wiscomb said. Wardlow added, “I want to ensure that if we’re doing this and we’ve taken 10 years to do this, let’s do it right.”

Opponents argued the ordinance could amount to a de facto ban. Gorin noted STRs would be classified as commercial properties, subjecting them to commercial standards. “It’s effectively going to function as a ban,” he warned.

Property manager Tiffany Haller criticized strict parking rules, pointing out hotels often direct guests to street parking. “Many of the short-term rentals currently operating legally and paying taxes wouldn’t be able to meet provisions of the new law,” she said.

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Residents offered contrasting views. Craig Leeds described karaoke parties until 2 a.m. in his neighborhood, saying STRs made his community “miserable.” “I’ve lived here 50 years and I really don’t want to have to move just because of short-term rentals ruining my life,” he said.

The ordinance must reach the City Council by May to stay on schedule. Commissioners Benjamin Peterson and John Baucke voted no, arguing it should remain with the commission until issues are resolved.

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